Chartway and Chartway Promise Foundation bring hope to seven promise heroes during childhood Cancer Awareness Month
$300,000 raised to fund memorable experiences for more medically fragile children, foundation on target for $1M+ in fundraising for the year
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (October 7, 2024) — Chartway Credit Union and its charitable arm, the Chartway Promise Foundation, wrapped up a month of foundation-hosted fundraisers and credit union events for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with their 25th annual “Swings for Smiles” golf tournament and annual “Night for Hope” fundraiser. Thanks to member and community support throughout September, the foundation superseded its $250,000 benchmark and raised $300,000, putting the foundation on the path to another year of exceeding $1M in funds raised. All the funds raised will be dispersed to more than twenty charity partners to grant memorable experiences to many more medically fragile children across the credit union’s Virginia, Texas, and Utah markets.
“Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time for us to come together as a community to uplift these brave children,” said Christine Wilson, president of the Chartway Promise Foundation. “From fulfilling life-changing wishes to creating experiences that bring smiles, every act of kindness this month has fueled our mission to spread hope to our Promise Heroes.”
“At Chartway, we believe that every child deserves moments of joy, even in the midst of their toughest battles,” said Brian Schools, president and CEO of Chartway Credit Union. “Through the incredible work of the Chartway Promise Foundation and our generous partners, we’re able to make a real difference in the lives of children and families who need it most.”
Chartway Promise Foundation celebrated two children at its signature events. At the “Swings Fore Smiles” golf tournament on September 30, attendees witnessed a dream reveal, in partnership with Toby’s Dream Foundation, before the golfers took to the course. Thanks to funding from the Chartway Promise Foundation, nine-year-old Zoe, who is recovering from kidney cancer, and her family were surprised with the news that they would be embarking on a trip to Disney World this month. The surprise set the tone for an exciting day on the links for participants whose support helped make Zoe’s dream a reality.
The excitement continued on October 4 at a “Night for Hope: Bubbles & Bourbon,” held under the sea at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. The evening brought charity partners and community members together for an evening of cocktails, silent and live auctions, tastings, live music, and family testimonials. The night’s highlight came when the foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia to reveal that 13-year-old Angelina Janson and her family are headed to the Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii this March.
Angelina says she is most looking forward to seeing the characters from her favorite movie Stitch, but also looks forward to snorkeling. She was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia and received a liver transplant from her father at six months old. It was the beginning of years of medical treatment. The memorable night, however, capped off the foundation’s successful awareness and fundraising campaign by bringing joy, hope, and smiles to Angelina and her family.
“This vacation means a lot to us because we can actually sit down as a family, because we are a military family, so my husband has been on deployment – in and out, all the time – so this will give us a chance to connect,” said Katelyn Janson, Angelina’s mother.
In all, the foundation fulfilled the wishes and dreams of seven medically fragile children, they call Promise Heroes. Chartway Promise Foundation also took part in other activities and events throughout the month to help many more children, collaborating with partners including Hooked on Hope VB, Make-A-Wish, Roc Solid Foundation, and Toby’s Dream Foundation:
Saturday, August 30 – Sunday, September 1
Chartway Virginia Beach 10-Miler & 5k
Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, Va.
Promise Hero: Charlotte enjoyed a fishing trip with her family
Promise Hero: Chanel is going on a trip to Hawaii with her family to swim with the dolphins
Wish Reveal Partners: Hooked on Hope VB and Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia
Friday, September 6 – Sunday, September 8
Promise Heroes received VIP treatment at the Utah State Fair and Rodeo
Fairpark in Salt Lake City, Utah
Charity Partner: Best Seat in the House
Saturday, September 7
Playset build in Virginia Beach, Va.
Promise Hero: Lilah was surprised with her very own backyard playset
Charity Partner: Roc Solid Foundation
Saturday, September 14
Dream Reveal at Old Dominion University vs. Virginia Tech football game
Ballard Stadium, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
Promise Hero: Karlsyle is going on a trip to Disney World with his family
Dream Reveal Partner: Toby’s Dream Foundation
Wednesday, September 18
Hospital Ready Bag Packing
Chartway Headquarters, Virginia Beach, Va.
Charity Partner: Roc Solid Foundation
Thursday, September 26
Check Presentation from the Chartway Promise Foundation
Make-A-Wish Utah Wish House, Murray, Utah
Charity Partner: Make-A-Wish Utah
Monday, September 30
Swings Fore Smiles golf tournament and Dream Reveal
Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club, Virginia Beach, Va.
Promise Hero: Zoe and her family were surprised with a trip to Disney World
Dream Reveal Partner: Toby’s Dream Foundation
Friday, October 4
Promise Hero celebration at Tooele High School football game
Tooele High School, Tooele, Utah
Promise Hero: Mason, who’s wish was to go to Hawaii
Charity Partner: Make-A-Wish Utah
Friday, October 4
A Night for Hope: Bubbles & Bourbon cocktail party and Wish Reveal
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, Va.
Promise Hero: Angelina and her family are going to Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii
Wish Reveal partner: Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia
Since 2005, the Chartway Promise Foundation has granted nearly $15 million that directly supports wish-granting and other programs run by the foundation’s charitable partners.
Learn more about Chartway Credit Union at www.Chartway.com and the Chartway Promise Foundation at www.chartwaypromisefoundation.org.
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Chartway Credit Union & Chartway Promise Foundation
About Chartway Credit Union
Since 1959, Chartway has been unlocking the potential of individuals and families so they can thrive. Member-owned and values-driven, our $2.9 billion credit union proudly serves more than 240,000 members with branches in Utah, Texas, and Virginia. We’ve been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions, included on American Banker’s Top Credit Union to Work For list, and received numerous other top workplace and best credit union accolades. Reflecting a bright way forward, our charitable arm – the Chartway Promise Foundation – has granted nearly $15 million to provide medically fragile children and their families memorable experiences that bring joy, hope, and smiles. For information on our vibrant organization, please visit www.Chartway.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
