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 today.
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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.”
The 1 Darn Cool School is fully funded by Desert Financial Foundation, Desert Financial Credit Union, its members and its employees. The program provides educational sessions in person, virtually and at various Phoenix Children’s locations, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for all patients.
As Phoenix Children’s expands its reach across the Valley, most recently with the opening of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Arrowhead Campus in Glendale, Desert Financial continues to champion the school’s growth and development, ensuring that every patient in need of educational support has access to it—all while receiving world-class healthcare.
Last year, 1 Darn Cool School supported more than 2,100 students, providing a sense of normalcy and continuity amid medical challenges. Among those students is Valery, a 15-year-old who has been fighting a complex medical battle since she was just 9 years old. Diagnosed with leukemia and Degenerative Valvular Heart Disease (DVHD), Valery has spent years navigating treatments at Phoenix Children’s, including care at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Through it all, Valery has stayed connected to her education thanks to the support of 1 Darn Cool School. The program’s teachers helped her continue her studies, even during the most challenging moments of her health journey. Now in remission, Valery continues to spread her love of music and art while inspiring others with her positivity.
The impact of 1 Darn Cool School extends across generations. Brian Bogert, who was just 7 years old in 1992, had his life forever changed after a devastating accident in a parking lot. A runaway truck left him with life-threatening injuries, including the loss of his left arm. At Phoenix Children’s, Bogert underwent a 10-hour surgery to reattach his arm and more than 20 reconstructive procedures to restore its function in the years that followed.
The 1 Darn Cool School was critical to helping Bogert remain on track at school throughout all the procedures and subsequent hospital stays that were necessary to save his arm. He’s now a human behavior coach and entrepreneur with two kids of his own, both of whom are patients at Phoenix Children’s.
“Education is a beacon of hope for children and families navigating a health crisis,” said Tim Harrison, vice president of corporate sponsorship at Phoenix Children’s. “This incredible gift from Desert Financial empowers our teachers to provide exceptional education and helps children envision a bright future beyond their hospital stay.”
In 2024, Desert Financial committed to raising $5 million for 1 Darn Cool School in five years, by 2029. This singular donation brings Desert Financial nearly halfway to its $5 million goal after only one year.
Ongoing support for 1 Darn Cool School from Desert Financial now totals more than $13.2 million over the past 28 years. This remarkable partnership reflects the credit union’s deep commitment to education and its mission to share success with the Arizona community.
