Grant Recipient Story: Tynkertopia

Tynkertopia provides STEM learning opportunities in the Flagstaff area. The $15,000 grant awarded by Desert Financial will help fund a part-time teacher and mentor to provide interdisciplinary programming for children who visit Tynkertopia, many of whom come from low-income families. “Building trust and becoming a member of the Tynkertopia family makes these children feel like they are a part of the community,” said Dr. Alice Christie, founder of Tynkertopia.

Grant Recipient Story: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) focuses on creating a true sense of belonging through sports, arts and help with homework. Programming for BGCAZ helps create equity for thousands of young people by supporting a safe club space where they can grow and thrive. Club members are guided by staff members like Bailey, a former student in the club himself now working toward earning a college degree.

Grant Recipient Story: Cory Nochta

Cory Nochta was a City of Goodyear firefighter whose world was changed when he was diagnosed with ALS. Desert Financial teamed up with the Arizona Cardinals and Sports360AZ to perform a Random Act of Kindness for Cory, who was greeted at his former Goodyear Fire Department Station by his firehouse family, Big Red, former Arizona Cardinals players and Cardinals cheerleaders. Cory was presented with a $15,000 donation from Desert Financial and a $10,000 donation from the Arizona Cardinals, for a total of $25,000 to help with ongoing medical expenses.

Grant Recipient Story: Northern Arizona Healthcare

Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) serves the needs of communities over a 50,000 square-mile radius in Northern Arizona, including Native American reservations and the Grand Canyon. Desert Financial served as the title sponsor for the NAH’s inaugural Healthcare Scholarship and Awards program, helping to offer 13 scholarships and awards to NAH employees in both clinical and non-clinical roles. “Our entire scholarship and awards program is based on the outpouring of support from community members and internal leaders who see the value in lifting up NAH employees and giving them every opportunity to strengthen their skills,” said Maraka Oltrogge, Northern Arizona Healthcare vice president of philanthropy.

Teacher Appreciation Story: W.F. Killip Elementary School

To show appreciation for the educators at W.F. Killip Elementary School in Flagstaff, our Flagstaff Mall branch team ordered lunch for the teachers from the local restaurant Jitters Lunchbox and bought drinks from Safeway. The teacher’s lounge did not have a coffee machine, so we also ordered one for the lounge, along with filters and the first batch of coffee.

Adopt-A-Teacher Story: Jamy Myrmel

Jamy Myrmel has been an Arizona teacher for 17 years. She loves making learning fun and engaging for her students at Humboldt Elementary School near Prescott by using hands-on projects. With the Adopt-A-Teacher program fulfilling her classroom supply wish list, Jamy plans to enrich her science lessons. “My hope is to get things like microscopes, owl pellets and other science-related activities,” Jamy says. “This amazing gift will be helping over 125 students … this has made me so excited for my 18th year of teaching!”

Impact Story: Live & Learn

Maricopa County nonprofit Live & Learn leads an annual back-to-school drive to provide underprivileged children with new backpacks and school supplies. By partnering with Live & Learn, Desert Financial can help provide students with the tools they need to succeed.

Impact Story: Back-to-School Supply Drive

For 25 years, Desert Financial has hosted a Back-to-School Supply Drive in our branches and back offices to benefit Title I schools around metropolitan Phoenix. Each branch chooses a school. “When I reached out to the principal of Moon Mountain Elementary, she said that she was going to play the lottery because that is how lucky she felt to have our branch pick them,” said Evan Pogue, manager of the Moon Valley branch. “These supplies go a long way and the teachers and staff really do appreciate it.”

Volunteer of the Year: Diane Berdych

Diane Berdych, quality data analyst, put in more than 229 volunteer service hours and was Desert Financial's 2021 Volunteer of the Year. “Our compassion and kindness opens the heart and brightens the day for both those who receive and those who give,” Diane said. Thank you, Diane, for your commitment and hard work!

Impact Story: Earn to Learn

Earn to Learn is a need-based program that provides financial aid to students through a matched-savings scholarship program. The organization plans to expand its programs to more fostered youth, indigenous populations and rural communities, and eventually, to reach students with learning disabilities. “Thanks to Desert Financial Credit Union, we have been able to build a more robust financial training program and development department,” said Devon Scheitrum, director of workforce development at Earn to Learn. “Our enrollment and graduation numbers have gone up over the last two years and we are expecting this upward trend to continue.”