Here’s what happens when you put 450 credit union leaders in a room with a shared mission: magic. And by magic, we mean over $1,000,000 raised in a single evening.
The Night of Miracles Gala took place during ENGAGE 2026, and the credit union community showed up in a big way for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia. This wasn’t your typical rubber-chicken fundraiser, either. The evening packed in live entertainment, both silent and live auctions, and storytelling that hit right in the feels—all centered around the incredible work of Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids).
The whole point? Making sure kids in local communities have access to the life-saving care and resources they desperately need.
“The Night of Miracles Gala brings the credit union community together around a shared purpose that goes beyond financial services,” said Denelle Miller, President and CEO of FiCare Federal Credit Union and Chair of the event. “Seeing this level of generosity and commitment in one room is what credit unions are all about and what makes this particular event so meaningful.”
And she’s not wrong. While big banks are busy maximizing shareholder value, credit unions are out here raising seven figures for children’s hospitals. It’s kind of their thing.
A Keynote That Packed a Punch
The gala featured a keynote from Noah Galloway, a Purple Heart recipient, military veteran, and motivational speaker who knows a thing or two about overcoming the impossible. His message about resilience and showing up for those who need it most? Let’s just say it landed perfectly.
Meet Carter Harrison: This Year’s Miracle Child
But the real showstopper was Carter Harrison, the evening’s Miracle Child. Born with a complex congenital heart defect, Carter has faced more medical challenges than most of us could imagine—and he’s done it with the kind of resilience and joy that makes you believe in the good stuff again.
His story drove home exactly why this work matters. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals aren’t just facilities—they’re lifelines for families navigating the unimaginable.
Why CU4Kids Matters
Through CU4Kids, credit unions nationwide rally around their local children’s hospitals. Here’s the best part: every dollar raised stays in the community. That means the funds go directly toward critical care, essential equipment, and services that local families actually use.
It’s community banking at its finest—local money helping local kids.
The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates is tipping its cap to everyone who made the evening possible: sponsors, donors, and attendees who proved that when you bring the right people together around the right cause, incredible things happen.
A million dollars in one night? Not too shabby, credit union community. Not too shabby at all.