Desert Financial commits $3 M to Phoenix Children's Hospital's 1 Darn School School - AZEdNews
Sections    Tuesday March 21st, 2023

Desert Financial commits $3 M to Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s 1 Darn School School


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  • Melissa Forbes   |   Desert Financial Credit Union

Desert Financial Credit Union And Phoenix Children's Hospital Leaders Celebrate Desert Financial's Commitment To Donate $3 Million In New Dollars To Phoenix Children's Hospital's 1 Darn Cool School Over The Next Four Years. PHOTOS FROM LEFT: Jeff Meshey, President & CEO Of Desert Financial; Tim Harrison, Vice President Corporate Partnerships And Special Events For Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ron Amstutz, Executive Vice President Of Desert Financial, Susan O’Donnell Manager, Corporate Account Management At Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. Photo Courtesy Desert Financial And Phoenix Children's Hospital

In early 2018, Desert Financial Credit Union made a big announcement — it had committed $2M in funding over three years to 1 Darn Cool School, the in-house education center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

This week, the credit union has another big announcement — they’ve completed their donation for the planned $2M, and made a new pledge: $3M in new dollars, donated to the program over the next four years.

This funding commitment will make Desert Financial the largest-ever donor to 1 Darn Cool School, bringing its total to over $10M.

Desert Financial’s support enables children to experience as much normalcy as possible while staying on top of their studies which are taught by the school’s Master’s-level teachers.

“Desert Financial Credit Union’s commitment to the children and families at Phoenix Children’s speaks volumes about their culture of generosity and community spirit,” said Steven Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“Their transformational investments sustain top caliber teachers, technology and support at 1 Darn Cool School — and they don’t stop there,” Schnall said. “Leadership and staff members at Desert Financial also make connections with the teachers who work so hard to help children learn while they heal.”

“We’re profoundly grateful for this latest gift, and for their continued partnership,” Schnall said.

The funds will be used toward operating costs for 1 Darn Cool School, which is 100 percent philanthropically supported. 

Desert Financial commits $3 M to Phoenix Children's Hospital's 1 Darn School School Desert-Financial-and-PCH-Foundation-Execs-Celebrate-New-3M-Committement-1024x683
Desert Financial Credit Union and Phoenix Children’s Hospital leaders celebrate Desert Financial’s commitment to donate $3 million in new dollars to Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s 1 Darn Cool School over the next four years. PHOTOS FROM LEFT: Jeff Meshey, President & CEO of Desert Financial; Tim Harrison, Vice President Corporate Partnerships and Special Events for Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ron Amstutz, Executive Vice President of Desert Financial, Susan O’Donnell Manager, Corporate Account Management at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. Photo courtesy Desert Financial and Phoenix Children’s Hospital

“1 Darn Cool School is an important part of the treatment process for so many patients at Phoenix Children’s,” said Ron Amstutz, executive vice president of Desert Financial Credit Union. “We’ve had a great year at Desert Financial, and felt that paying our success forward to such an incredible program – one rooted in education, just like our credit union – would be a wonderful match.”

The education programming, which began in 1985, is available to all children who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade or special education 5 to 21 years, and are expected to miss more than 10 days of school (with an inpatient stay of 3 days).

In addition to holding a current Arizona teaching certificate, all teachers have earned a master’s degree in education. Additionally, all classroom volunteers have a professional teaching background.

About Desert Financial Credit Union

With more than 80 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state’s largest homegrown credit union with $5 billion in assets, more than 320,000 members and nearly 50 locations across the Valley.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial prides itself on sharing success with its members, its team and the wider community.

In 2019, Desert Financial gave more than $8M to Valley nonprofits, the community and members. Learn more at www.desertfinancial.com.