Childhood Cancer Awareness month campaign raises $275K to support charity partners
Virginia Beach, VA – Chartway Credit Union and its charitable arm, the Chartway Promise Foundation, wrapped a month of awareness, fundraising, and hands-on support for medically fragile children, called Promise Heroes, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Marking its 20th anniversary, the foundation’s September highlights included annual signature events — the Swings Fore Smiles golf tournament and A Night for Hope fundraiser — along with Wish and Dream Reveals, team member volunteer service projects, and partner-powered experiences across Chartway’s Virginia, Texas, and Utah communities. Thanks to the generosity of members, partners, and supporters, the foundation surpassed its fundraising goal of $250,000 and raised $275,000, putting the foundation on the path to another year of exceeding $1M in funds raised. The money raised will help charity partners provide even more memorable experiences that bring joy, hope, and smiles to Promise Heroes and their families.
“Every September, we focus on the children and families facing this arduous journey and want to support them at each step along the way. The foundation is about standing with these courageous heroes and giving them and their families the support and knowledge that they are not fighting alone,” said Christine Wilson, president of the Chartway Promise Foundation. “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re especially grateful to the partners, supporters, and volunteers who make it possible to create joyful, memorable experiences when they’re needed most.”
“At Chartway, purpose shows up in meaningful moments,” said Brian Schools, president & CEO of Chartway Credit Union. “From race-day reveals to backyard builds and evening events, our community came together to uplift children and their families. We are honored to make a difference and deliver unforgettable experiences made possible by the support and dedication of our members, partners, and team.”
Signature Events Spotlight
At A Night for Hope: Roaring 20th Anniversary Celebration on September 28, charity partners and community members gathered at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center for a 1920’s-themed evening of cocktails, tastings, music, silent auctions, gaming tables, and family testimonials. Program highlights included a special video featuring Promise Heroes from over the years and remarks from Chartway leaders, followed by a special appearance by the foundation’s very first Promise Hero, Julie Dixon Bradshaw, who recovered as a child from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She reflected on her experience two decades ago.
“My Wish was to go to Disney World to see Cinderella, but not her evil stepsisters and they made it happen,” said Julie. “I don’t’ remember any of the bad stuff from that time, thanks to Chartway Promise Foundation and Make-A-Wish.”
On September 29, the 26th Annual Swings Fore Smiles golf tournament at Broad Bay Country Club in Virginia Beach, Va. featured a surprise Dream Reveal with charity partner Toby’s Dream Foundation. Four-year-old Alexander “Zan” – who is in his third year of remission from liver cancer – and his family learned they will embark on a dream trip to Walt Disney World in October. The surprise set the tone for a day on the links in support of Promise Heroes and capped off the foundation’s successful awareness and fundraising campaign.
“Seeing Zan’s reaction was unforgettable,” said Heather, Zan’s mom. “His face just lit up because his dream trip gives us something we haven’t had in a long time — time together as a family to laugh, relax, and just be in the moment. This is a reminder that we’re not alone — there’s a whole community lifting us up and giving us hope.”
September Highlights
In all, the foundation fulfilled the wishes and dreams of six for Promise Heroes across its markets, working alongside partners including Best Seat in the House, Hooked on Hope VB, Intermountain Health, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, Roc Solid Foundation, and Toby’s Dream Foundation:
Saturday–Sunday, August 30–31
Chartway Virginia Beach 10-Miler & 5K
Virginia Beach, Va.
Promise Hero: Jensen, age 4, received a fishing-charter wish
Promise Hero: Drake, age 16, was recognized after returning from his Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii
Wish Reveal Partners: Hooked on Hope VB and Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia
Friday, September 5
Promise Heroes received VIP treatment at the Utah State Fair
Salt Lake City, Utah
Charity Partner: Best Seat in the House
Saturday, September 13
Backyard Playset Build
Suffolk, Va.
Promise Hero: LJ (James), age 9, received his very own backyard playset
Charity Partner: Roc Solid Foundation
Thursday, September 17
All-Market Team Member Volunteer Day
Virginia Beach, Va.; West Jordan, Utah, St. George Utah, Houston, Texas
Activities: Hospital “Ready Bag” packing, toy bag assembly, and two playhouse builds for Promise Heroes
Charity Partners: Roc Solid Foundation and Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital
Since 2005, the Chartway Promise Foundation has granted $16 million that directly supports impactful programming for medically fragile children through the foundation’s more than 50 charitable partners. The Foundation is accepting charitable grant applications through November 1, 2025. Funds will be awarded in December to support partner programs in 2026.
Learn more about Chartway Credit Union and the Chartway Promise Foundation at www.Chartway.com and www.ChartwayPromiseFoundation.org.
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About Chartway & Chartway Promise Foundation
Since 1959, Chartway has been unlocking the potential of individuals and families so they can thrive. Member-owned and values-driven, our $3.1 billion credit union proudly serves more than 260,000 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 $16 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.
Best Seat in the House
A Utah-based nonprofit founded in 2018, continues to make a powerful impact in the lives of children facing cancer and other medical conditions, poverty, foster care, and other life-altering hardships. By offering 100% free access to enriching, joy-filled events and experiences, the organization brings hope to families navigating some of life’s toughest battles. What began as a simple birthday celebration has grown into a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating lasting memories and emotional relief for families in crisis. From tickets to concerts, sporting events, and theater performances to museum visits and holiday magic nights, each experience is designed to foster development, build community, and create a sense of normalcy for children in extraordinary circumstances. For more information, visit bestseatslc.org.
Hooked on Hope VB
Founded in 2018, Hooked on Hope VB supports pediatric cancer families with fishing outings at no cost to them. Children and their families enjoy charter boat and onshore fishing events as well as camping trips, allowing them to “catch” fun memories together. For more information, visit hookedonhopevb.org.
Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information, visit intermountainhealthcare.org.
Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia
Make-A-Wish® delivers life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Their goal is to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey and helps them build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. For more information about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, visit va.wish.org.
Roc Solid Foundation
Roc Solid Foundation is a Chesapeake-based nonprofit founded by pediatric cancer survivor, Eric Newman. The organization is best known for distributing Ready Bags to families when their child is first diagnosed with cancer and providing backyard playsets to kids during treatment. For more information, visit www.rocsolidfoundation.org.
Toby’s Dream Foundation
Founded in 2009, Toby’s Dream Foundation is dedicated to bringing joy to children with life-threatening illnesses by granting them the dream of a lifetime. They serve children who are treated and referred from Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk and from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. For more information, visit tobysdream.org.
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