Desert Schools Donates More than $500,000 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union has donated more than a half-million dollars to 1 Darn Cool School, Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s formal school program. Facilitated through the hospital’s trivia game show, the generous check amount was revealed and presented to the hospital in a fun and interactive way.

Hosted on PCH-1, the hospital’s closed circuit station, the weekly trivia show guest-starred Desert Schools executives and revealed the donation with one very important question: “How much money did Desert Schools Federal Credit Union bring to donate to Phoenix Children’s Hospital today?” The winning answer of $500,000 was answered by a patient on the 8th floor named Rebecca. Following the show, the Desert Schools team was honored to bring the prize wagon around to 20 patients who provided winning answers during the segment.

“We are incredibly proud to support 1 Darn Cool School and the teachers who contribute to this truly unique program,” said Susan Frank, CEO of Desert Schools. “On top of that, we’re very touched to have been able to interact with the brave and sweet patients at the hospital. We appreciate them for letting us play along and be a part of their day. It really means the world to us to support Phoenix Children’s Hospital.”

Through a variety of channels — including Desert Schools’ annual charity golf tournament, various employee giving campaigns, and member campaigns like Shop for Miracles — Desert Schools was able to reach its fundraising goal of $500,000.

Facilitated through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the contribution marks a total of more than $4 million donated to Phoenix Children’s Hospital by Desert Schools since 1997. In 2000, donations from Desert Schools assisted in launching the highly valuable 1 Darn Cool School program, and last year the hospital honored Desert Schools’ commitment with a plaque outside the school’s classroom.

“1 Darn Cool School is an important part of the care we provide our patients and families, helping kids be productive and stay on track academically while in the hospital,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Phoenix Children’s is one of only a few hospitals in the country with its own teaching staff and relies on support from Desert Schools to offer this valuable program. We are extremely appreciative of this generous donation and the continued partnership with Desert Schools.”

Maintaining a sense of normalcy, attending school and interacting with peers while hospitalized can be hugely beneficial to a child. 1 Darn Cool School offers patients a traditional classroom setting to learn, play and discover while receiving treatment at Phoenix Children’s. The accredited full-time teachers work with approximately 10,000 patients a year both in the classroom and at their bedsides. Visiting artists offer unique classes on Fridays, including music, painting, cooking and photography. When patients are ready to leave the hospital, teachers at 1 Darn Cool School work with the child’s school to assist in the transition back to a more traditional environment.