Salt Lake City, UT (May 22, 2025) |
Four “Promise Heroes” took center stage over four days (May 17-20), as Chartway Promise Foundation, the charitable arm of Chartway Credit Union, put on a series of foundation-hosted fundraisers and credit union events to bring memorable experiences to medically fragile children and their families and reinforce Chartway’s community commitment in Utah. All year long, the foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary, inviting its members, strategic charity partners, donors, and team members to share in creating memorable experiences for its “Promise Heroes.”
"These events serve as a big thank you to all who make it possible for us to create awareness and make memories with our Promise Heroes, and their families,” said Christine Wilson, president of the Chartway Promise Foundation. “We are so grateful for the support that’s helped us make an impact over the last two decades.”
The celebrations began on Saturday in Eagle Mountain, Utah, when volunteers, team members, and leaders from Chartway, the Chartway Promise Foundation, and Roc Solid Foundation built a backyard playset for 4-year-old Everett, who was diagnosed four months ago with a rare disorder called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). Thanks to funding from the Chartway Promise Foundation, Everett was surprised with the custom playset, providing a safe, germ-free place for him to make memories with his siblings.
“It’s a miracle, honestly. It means the world, it means Everett can just be a kid in the comfort of our own back yard,” said McKayla Madsen, Everett’s mom. “We don’t have to compromise his immune system; he can just play every day and nothing can take that away.”
That evening, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Foundation hosted its Night for Joy event at Squatters Pub in Salt Lake City. The event brought charity partners and community members together for an evening of food, refreshments, live entertainment, silent auctions, and raffle prizes. The night’s highlight came when the Foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish Utah to reveal that 5-year-old Whitney is heading to Disney World with her family. She is currently undergoing treatment for a rare disease called Rett Syndrome which causes developmental delays and limits her ability to communicate.
“She’s a really strong little girl, but the last two years have been challenging,” said Brandi Wozney, Whitney’s mom. “It’ll be a huge blessing just to go and have a fun vacation with Whitney, maybe meet Minnie Mouse, who she loves. We are super appreciative of Make-A-Wish and Chartway Promise Foundation for making it happen.”
On Monday, as part of its deep commitment to the community and in partnership with the City of Tooele, Chartway and city leaders including Mayor Debbie Winn unveiled a custom Tooele Buffalo sculpture in front of the Tooele City Library. The installation is part of the Tooele City Historic Main Street Buffalo Arts Initiative which aims to restore, support, and promote economic prosperity in Tooele City. The Chartway Buffalo was designed by local artist Marla Love and captures the spirit of the Tooele community and Chartway’s identity.
“We’re proud that our community commitment encompasses not only the children our foundation supports, but also the communities where we live and work,” said Brian Schools, Chartway Credit Union president and CEO. “It’s such a strong part of our purpose – to unlock the potential of individuals and families so they can thrive. This buffalo is a testament to that commitment.”
The excitement continued Monday evening at a Chartway team member connection event at TopGolf in Salt Lake City. Surrounded by Chartway team members and his family, 5-year-old Juan, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago, was granted his wish to go to Disney World. It was a long road for him and his family to get to this point, having arrived in the U.S. from Ecuador to an immediate cancer diagnosis and emergency surgery in 2023. Now, thanks to a grant from Chartway Promise to Make-A-Wish Utah his wish is coming true. His family beaming with joy, making a big announcement about his condition.
“It’s been a tough, arduous, complicated road for him, full of surgeries, chemotherapy, and many doctor visits, but we are currently cancer free,” said his mom, Yessica Asencio-Andrade. “This is a moment to celebrate, and we are thankful. He can’t wait to see his favorite Star Wars characters.”
The Wish Reveal celebrations concluded on Tuesday, at the Foundation’s ninth annual “Putting for Promises” golf tournament with a full field of golfers, sponsors, and volunteers at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club in Lehi, Utah. At the signature event, Make-A-Wish Utah surprised 16-year-old Shantell with the news that her Wish of celebrating her 17th birthday at the Rose Terrace at Lagoon is coming true in June thanks to a charitable grant to Make-A-Wish Utah from the Chartway Promise Foundation. Additional charity partners including Best Seat in the House, Eye Care 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House, along with six Promise Heroes and their families were in attendance to help celebrate.
"Wishes can provide a renewed sense of hope, joy and resilience for kids like Shantell, Juan and Whitney during their medical battles," said Daniel Dudley, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Utah. "We're grateful to partner with the Chartway Promise Foundation to create unforgettable experiences for them and so many other children with critical illnesses."
Since its founding, the Chartway Promise Foundation has granted $16 million that directly supports wish-granting and other programs run by the Foundation’s dozens of charitable partners. In 2024, the Foundation provided $345K in grants to seven partner charities in Utah to support their programs for 2025.
Learn more about Chartway Credit Union at www.Chartway.com and the Chartway Promise Foundation at www.ChartwayPromiseFoundation.
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