WEST JORDAN, Utah, July 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Continuing a rich tradition of supporting children’s hospitals, this spring Mountain America Credit Union and Idaho Central Credit Union gifted Primary Children’s Hospital with a $21,068 cash contribution, and a red flyer wagon filled with toys. Proceeds were raised during the Northwest Credit Union Association’s (NWCUA) Credit Unions for Kids® auction last fall.

“This is just one small example of how people and credit unions can come together to make a wonderful difference in the communities where we live, work and play,” says Tony Rasmussen, vice president, public relations and financial education at Mountain America Credit Union. “Change the life of a child and you truly change the world.”

Credit Unions for Kids was born in the Northwest in 1986 when a group of Oregon and Southwest Washington credit unions started raising money for their local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital. Their model was adopted nationally a decade later, and since then, credit unions have collaborated to raise more than $170 million for kids.

In the Credit Unions for Kids model, every dollar raised by any credit union or group of credit unions, directly benefits the CMN hospital in their region. Hospitals are allowed to determine exactly how the contributions can be used to benefit the children. Cash contributions support toy purchases, patient care, research or medications, and results in smiles on the faces of kids and their families.

“Raising funds for children’s hospitals is mission aligned with credit unions’ people helping people philosophy,” says Carmen Vigil, NWCUA’s director of cooperative momentum. “We’re proud to help support the life-saving work of Primary Children’s Hospital.”

About Mountain America Credit Union With more than 760,000 members and $7.5 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union assists members on the right path to help them identify and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 90 branches across five states, thousands of shared-branching locations nationwide and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—safely guiding you forward along your financial journey. Learn more at macu.com .

About Northwest Credit Union Association The Northwest Credit Union Association is the not-for-profit trade association representing over 180 credit unions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and their 6.5 million consumer members. Northwest credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives, owned by their members. Credit unions help members achieve their financial goals.  All earnings in excess of operating expenses and required reserves are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, fewer fees and higher interest paid on savings. For information on how to join a credit union, please visit asmarterchoice.org .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...ec440276e2