Desert Financial Donates $1.15 Million to Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School

Posted by Katy Wagnon on February 2, 2024

Desert Financial Foundation and Desert Financial Credit Union announced a $1.15 million donation to the 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s.

This is the largest single donation ever made by Desert Financial Foundation, the credit union and its team members. The donation will allow 1 Darn Cool School to expand to additional campuses, ensuring access to educational services for all of Phoenix Children’s patients.

“As a credit union founded by schoolteachers, education is at the heart of everything we do,” said Desert Financial President and CEO Jeff Meshey. “After learning about Phoenix Children’s new campus, we knew we needed to help 1 Darn Cool School follow suit and expand its services to children across The Valley.”

The 1 Darn Cool School is a fully accredited K-12 school with eight full-time master’s level teachers. It is fully funded by the Desert Financial Foundation, Desert Financial Credit Union and its team members.

In 2023, 1 Darn Cool School provided 2,000 children hospitalized for five days or longer with a traditional classroom setting or bedside instruction to help continue their schoolwork as they fight illnesses and injuries.

“The 1 Darn Cool School is about more than making sure kids don’t fall behind in math and reading – it provides a feeling of normalcy for kids coping with difficult medical diagnoses,” said Tim Harrison, vice president of corporate sponsorship at Phoenix Children’s. “Contributions from Desert Financial are the lifeblood of this program that gives children in our community hope for a future beyond the walls of their hospital room.”

Desert Financial has donated a total of $10.95 million to the 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s during the past 27 years. This donation is a compilation of donations from its members, employees, Desert Financial Foundation and the Desert Financial Credit Union.

Posted in Arizona, Regional Member News.