Hughes Federal Credit Union Partners with Banner Health Foundation to Support Young Patients This Back-to-School Season

Hughes Federal Credit Union is proud to partner with Banner Children’s − Diamond Children’s Medical Center to host a school supply drive supporting frequently hospitalized kids. This collaboration is part of our ongoing commitment to our community and the credit union philosophy of people helping people.

Returning to school can feel overwhelming when kids face hospital stays and medical treatments. Through this partnership, we hope to help young patients feel prepared, confident, and cared for and give them one less thing to worry about as they focus on healing. Supplies will be used by hospitalized kids in the on-site Hospital School, where they work with volunteer teachers to keep up with their schoolwork and stay on track. The supplies will also be given at discharge to young patients in need.

“At Hughes Federal Credit Union, supporting the next generation means more than financial education; it means showing up for their emotional and academic well-being. We’re honored to partner with Banner Children’s to help bring joy and comfort to kids during a challenging time,” said Elisa Ross, VP Marketing at Hughes Federal Credit Union.

Donations of new school supplies can be dropped off at any of Hughes’ seven convenient locations through August 31. Every donation will go directly to children in the Child Life program at Diamond Children’s Medical Center to help them feel supported.

Requested items include:

• Two-pocket folders
• Spiral notebooks
• Highlighters and dry-erase pens
• Elementary school scissors
• Pencils (wooden or mechanical) and pencil pouches
• Backpacks – limited quantity

“These donations go far beyond school supplies. They are a powerful message to our patients that their community cares. This support means the world to our families,” says Dario Alvarez, Child Life Assistant at Banner Children’s − Diamond Children’s Medical Center.

Community Support Beyond the Drive

In addition to this school supply initiative, Hughes Federal Credit Union offers a Banner Children’s − Diamond Children’s Affinity Debit Card, which gives members a unique way to support the hospital year-round. With every card issued, a donation is made to the Banner Health Foundation, supporting critical programs and services for pediatric patients.

About Hughes Federal Credit Union

Hughes Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution serving over 195,000 members with $2.5 billion in assets. Since its founding in 1952, Hughes has remained deeply committed to improving the financial lives of its members while maintaining strong local roots. Recognized as one of the Best-in-State credit unions by Forbes in 2025 and consistently rated as a Five-Star "Superior" or Four-Star "Excellent" financial institution by BauerFinancial since 1991, Hughes offers a full range of financial products and services designed to meet the evolving needs of its diverse membership. For more information, please visit HughesFCU.org.

About Banner Children’s Diamond Children’s Medical Center

Banner Children’s – Diamond Children’s Medical Center provides pediatric care for children, from newborns to teens. Services include emergency care, heart disorders, traumatic brain injury, autism and developmental disorders, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders, neurological problems, orthopedics, intensive care needs and more. It is the only pediatric medical facility in Arizona connected to an academic research facility − the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center − where physician-scientists provide access to groundbreaking science and research to advance children’s health. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/diamondchildrens.

About the Banner Health Foundation

Established in 2001, the Banner Health Foundation engages the community and stewards charitable contributions to advance Banner Health’s nonprofit mission of making healthcare easier so life can be better. Contributions are invested locally to support patient care programs and services operated by Banner’s many hospitals and health care facilities across Arizona and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.bannerhealthfoundation.org.