PHOENIX – Desert Financial Foundation and Desert Financial Credit Union announced a record-breaking $2.25 million donation to the 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s.
The fully accredited K-12 school, staffed by seven full-time master’s level teachers, provides children hospitalized for five days or more with bedside education to ensure they stay on track academically, while facing chronic illnesses or life-changing injuries.
In addition to this historic donation Desert Financial provided a special surprise for the program’s teachers: oversized “toolboxes” filled with technology, such as iPads, Kindles, VR headsets and STEAM classroom kits. These resources were selected based on teacher requests to support hospitalized students’ success. The donation presentation and technology reveal took place during a special event at Phoenix Children’s, with students and teachers from 1 Darn Cool School participating in the announcement.
“As a credit union founded by teachers, we understand the transformative power of education,” said Desert Financial President and CEO Jeff Meshey. “This donation is about more than just dollars; it’s about ensuring that every child at Phoenix Children’s has the tools they need to learn, thrive and stay connected as they receive care.”