Minnco CU Employee Wins Top Fundraiser Award for the CU4Kids Chain of Hearts Fundraiser

The Minnco Chain of Hearts campaign raised over $45,000 and Kelly Bahr, raised over $3,500 benefiting the Children's Miracle Network. 

Bahr, an teller at Minnco's North Branch location, spearheaded the "Team Christopher" fundraiser for the son of a friend, Christopher Ryan Schlemmer, born with ultra-rare metabolic genetic condition called PMM2-CDG, a condition that affected him head to toe. Christopher received care at Gillette Children's Hospital. 

"Despite the physical and mental challenges, he faced, Christopher was smart, mischievous, cheeky, funny and he always knew he would get his way. He was also known for his amazing hair and love for Pete the Cat," Kelly Bahr said.

Sadly, Christopher was admitted into the hospital in early January with Influenza A. In a matter of days, he also came down with pneumonia and meningitis and passed away at 11 years old. 

​​"The hearts campaign is something I’m very passionate about and this is where MY WHY became OUR WHY. With the permission of the Schlemmer Family we here at the Minnco in North Branch raised funds for our Hearts Campaign as TEAM CHRISTOPHER and we were able to raise as a branch alone over $10,000 in 3 weeks," Bahr said. 

​The Children’s Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds for hospitals and programs across North America. In Minnesota and western Wisconsin, funds raised by Children’s Miracle Network benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gillette provides specialized health care for children who have disabilities and complex medical conditions, helping them improve their health, achieve greater well-being, and enjoy life.