On a hot June afternoon, nearly 150 Desert Financial leadership team members fanned out across the Phoenix Valley, representing their teams by volunteering their time at 15 area non-profits. Nearly 600 hours of service later, each non-profit had key projects completed and a parting surprise; $1,078.75 donated by Desert Financial in honor of the 15 teachers who founded Desert Financial 80 years ago with just $78.75 between them.
“We were founded 80 years ago in the spirit of volunteerism,” said Jeff Meshey, President and CEO of Desert Financial. “Our leadership team participates in this drive to keep the spirit of our founders alive and integrate a culture of giving back throughout our company.”
Volunteer efforts and donations benefitted the following local non-profits:
- New Life Center
- Back to School Clothing Drive
- Big Brothers Big Sister of Central AZ
- St. Vincent de Paul
- HandsOn Greater PHX
- Free Arts
- A New Leaf
- Children's Museum of Phoenix
- Midwest Food Bank
- Rebuilding Together
- ICAN
- Save the Family
- Homeward Bound
- House of Refuge
- U.S. Vets
Marisa Camarillo, Volunteer and Community Relations Coordinator for the Children’s Museum of Phoenix explained, “We're thrilled to have Desert Financial Credit Union as a community partner and value the support to our mission. [Desert Financial] team members were fantastic and packed 3,000 classroom dental hygiene kits for our Educator Resource Day. We're proud to celebrate [Desert Financial’s] 80th anniversary by honoring its 15 founding teachers with a project benefiting our community's educators.”
Hanna Smiddy, Community Outreach Specialist for House of Refuge said, “THANK YOU for letting House of Refuge be a part of celebrating Desert Financial’s history. 15 & $78.75 will forever be ingrained in my mind and I will probably be talking about this afternoon with coworkers, other volunteers, & friends for quite some time! There are no words to express our gratitude.”
