Prior Lake, Minnesota – With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, South Metro Federal Credit Union is kicking off its Chain of Hearts campaign. The public is invited to stop by South Metro’s main branch behind the Dakota Mall, across from Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, to make a donation. The campaign – an annual fundraiser organized by the Credit Unions for Kids program to benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare – encourages members, local residents, and area businesses to contribute by purchasing paper hearts and links. During the campaign, which runs now through February 28, 2013, hearts can be purchased for $5 and links for $1. These are personalized and added to the chain which hangs in the lobby of the credit union.

In 2012 more than 350 people participated in the fundraiser at South Metro Federal Credit Union with an average donation of $6 each for a total of $2,524 raised at South Metro. Then the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community matched that amount with a gift to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare for a total gift of $5,048.

South Metro Federal Credit Union placed first in the highest dollar per member ratio in both 2011 and 2012 fundraising for this worthy cause.

“It’s very rewarding to know the continued fundraising efforts of our members and employees will benefit children throughout Minnesota,” said Don Crofut, President of the South Metro Federal Credit Union. “We are delighted to be ranked in the top Minnesota credit unions that raised the highest dollars per member, and we are very proud of our ongoing support for local charities like Gillette.”

“The specialized services at Gillette are a benefit to children locally, so the Chain of Hearts campaign directly contributes to programs that help kids here. This is a simple fundraiser that inspires members to give because they’re helping children in our community,” said Crofut.

The South Metro Credit Union’s Chain of Hearts is part of a statewide fundraising effort. Through Credit Union for Kids, a sponsor program of the Children’s Miracle Network, Minnesota credit unions raised more than $41,000 for Gillette last year.

“The Credit Union for Kids program really complements our philosophy of people helping people, and we want to ensure that resources like Gillette are available for families in our community,” said Crofut.

Credit Union for Kids is a collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues, and business partners engaged in fundraising activities to benefit Children’s Miracle Network-affiliate hospitals. All money raised through Minnesota’s Credit Union for Kids program supports Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, helping kids with disabilities and chronic conditions. Since 1897, Gillette has been on the forefront of medical treatment, education, and research for children with disabilities. Gillette’s mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence, well-being, and enjoyment in life.