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Applications open for Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers grant

Posted 8/16/21

For the sixth consecutive year, the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program offers grants to teachers for classrooms use.

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Applications open for Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers grant

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For the sixth consecutive year, the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program offers grants to teachers for classrooms use.

Applications are open for all Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers through 5 p.m., Sept. 24, according to a press release, inviting applicants consisting of public and charter school teachers to get an online application at WishesForTeachers.org, including the teacher’s school or classroom need.

This year’s program will double the amount of teacher recipients, with 400 teachers having their wishes granted, the release said, adding each will receive a $2,500 grant for a total of $1 million in donations.

“The vision of Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers from the beginning has been to honor, celebrate and support Arizona teachers,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy in a prepared statement.

“Being able to enhance twice as many classrooms is a continuation of how Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers makes a meaningful difference in the lives of teachers and students across the state.”

Desert Financial Credit Union’s interest in education dates back to its founding in 1939, the release said, noting 15 Arizona educators who initially contributed to the teacher charity with $78.75.

Since then, $3.7 million has been granted over the last five years to nearly 850 teachers through Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program for over 300,000 students at more than 400 schools statewide.

“What’s more fun than granting wishes? This year, Wishes for Teachers is even more meaningful as teachers have adapted to a huge amount of change,” said Jeff Meshey, president and CEO at Desert Financial, in a prepared statement.

“Desert Financial has always supported education here in Arizona and will continue to do so in honor of our founders, who were teachers. We are proud to serve as the title partner for this year’s Wishes for Teachers and work alongside Fiesta Bowl Charities to surprise these deserving teachers.”

Through a virtual Wishes for Teachers Draft Day, presented by SRP experience in early November, local community heroes and celebrities will select teachers at random and notify each of the 400 teachers who will receive a grant, detailed the release.

Technology needs were a desired request in 2020 due to classroom adjustments for COVID-19, in addition to new computers for classrooms, special education sensory and manipulative materials, student vision testing and glasses, robotics, classroom makeovers, field trips to perform in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, laundry machines and more.

“Granting wishes through the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers is my favorite way to say ‘Thank You’ to Arizona’s teachers for their tireless efforts given to our youth and teens every day,” said Patrick Barkley, Chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors.

“It’s so inspiring to see how teachers put their wishes into action and hear the stories of what they are able to do with these grants.”

Applications available at:  WishesForTeachers.org.