PHOENIX– Desert Financial Credit Union’s annual Desert Financial Foundation Charity Golf Tournament raised $460,000 to benefit “1 Darn Cool School” at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH). The tournament was held at Encanterra Country Club in San Tan Valley, and attended by nearly 200 supporters from around the Valley.
Desert Financial’s annual tournament benefits PCH through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), an international non-profit organization operating for the sole purpose of providing funds for children’s hospitals, medical research and fostering community awareness of children’s health issues.
“Desert Financial was proud to host the Desert Financial Foundation Charity Golf tournament for the 21st year in a row,” said Ron Amstutz, executive vice president of Desert Financial. “The support this year was incredibly generous, and we’re thankful to the players and partners who joined us in an effort to fund the ‘1 Darn Cool School.’”
The annual golf tournament originated in 1999, and in that time has raised more than $4.4 million for PCH through CMNH. PCH is one of very few hospitals in the United States that retains its own teaching staff at “1 Darn Cool School,” providing patients with the ability to keep up with school work, and an essential sense of normalcy and routine they need to increase their mental stimulation during care.
“The innovative educational model delivers quality schooling for children who are enduring extended treatment at the facility. The school remains open five days a week and provides personalized instruction for youth in grades K-12. Additionally, for children whose conditions are truly debilitating and prevent them from leaving their rooms, convenient bedside instruction is also available,” the credit union said.