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FirstBank and Suns surprise Gilbert mom, son

GSN NEWS STAFF

FirstBank and the Phoenix Suns teamed up last week to bring a little joy to the family of a 9-year-old Gilbert boy battling cancer.

Employees at the Gilbert branch of FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” surprised Jessica Hunter, a mother of three whose 9-year-old son Tayden has undergone three abdominal surgeries.

Tayden is a big Suns fan and accompanied his mom to the FirstBank branch, where they were greeted with a personalized video from Suns’ forward Cameron Johnson.

“Jessica, we know how much you do for your family, and Tayden, we know you’ve gone through a lot these past few years,” Johnson said in the message. “You’re a brave little man. So, we decided to get together and do something extra special for you.”

They received a basketball signed by Cameron Johnson and a Suns jersey signed by Devin Booker.

FirstBank also supplied a $1,000 grocery store voucher for food and prescriptions, $200 towards meal delivery services, and a $2,000 check for medical expenses.

Because Tayden has been unable to play basketball, his favorite sport, as he recovers, he was given an Xbox and basketball video game to play at home. “It was hard to fight back the tears when seeing Jessica’s reaction. To say we’re happy we could provide some relief to her family is an understatement; we’re thrilled,” said Natalie Plante, an employee at FirstBank’s Gilbert location. “It’s humbling to work for an organization that cares so deeply about its customers, and if there’s one customer you want to make a positive imprint on, it’s Jessica,” Plante continued.

“It’s hard to fathom what she’s going through, but we know she’s doing everything in her power to give Tayden the medical care and love he deserves. Hopefully this surprise put a smile on his face as much as it did hers.”

Joel Johnson, East Valley market president at FirstBank, said he was moved by “Jessica and Tayden’s story of persevering through these challenges.”

“This is the least we could do to help ease their burdens,” he said. “As the official bank of the Phoenix Suns, we are proud to partner with them to show this deserving family some support.” FirstBank and the Suns teamed up to promote Arizona Gives Day by surprising dozens of families across Phoenix by paying for their groceries.

FirstBank employee Natalie Plante, left, presented Gilbert mom Jessica Hunter with a check to cover some of the expenses that the mother of three has been dealing with as her 9-year-old son Tayden battles cancer. (Courtesy FirstBank)

Gilbert woman called young kids’ champion

GSN NEWS STAFF

First Things First has recognized Mary Ann Sawyer of Gilbert as the 2021 First Things First Southeast Maricopa Region Champion for Young Children.

As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community members.

The award earned by Sawyer is given to “local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health,” a First Things First spokeswoman said. “Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues.”

Sawyer is a neonatal intensive care unit developmental specialist nurse at Banner Children’s at Desert in Mesa and Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert.

She helps parents with babies in the NICU understand the importance of early childhood development and health and engaging with their babies by reading and interacting with them.

“I feel that early childhood development and health both mentally and physically is of utmost importance because it is the foundation for who a child can become later in life,” Sawyer said.

“In my training as a nurse and as a developmental specialist, I learned that early experience influences later behaviors physically and mentally.”

She said parents often “are shocked to learn that 90 percent of a child’s brain growth happens in the first five years. When we as community members teach parents of newborn babies you are your baby’s first teacher, talk to her, sing to her, hold her, read to her and enjoy her,’ we empower them.”

Sawyer talks with families during the Newborn Intensive Care Program and at the Special Care Nursery Family Support Group.

In the latter, she discusses the importance of early childhood and shares with

participants First Things First information.

Sawyer also provides information about programs funded by First Things First, which many doctors and nurses have hailed as a “valuable community partner.”

She also has trained staff about soothing and comforting babies with books and music.

Sawyer also helps organize an annual reunion for families who have had babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The event brings together community partners to provide free early childhood education resources. Last year, a drivethru socially-distanced parade was organized so that families would still receive information.

“Teaching parents about milestones and growth is so important,” Sawyer said. “We are helping parents see their important role too. Families thrive and so do our communities.

“My parents weren’t in the medical field, but they subscribed to this belief as well. Early childhood development and health are of utmost importance for the future of families and our communities.”

For more information about the First Things First Southeast Regional Partnership Council: firstthingsfirst.org/regions/find-yourregion and click on Southeast Maricopa Region.

Mary Ann Sawyer Congrats, grad!

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly congratulates Noah Andrew Newburgh, son of Amiee and Chris Dugan of Gilbert, on his graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. Newburgh earned a B.S. and a commission in the U. S. armed forces. He also earned a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying him to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine. Newburgh is a graduate of Highland High School. As part of his four-year education, Newburgh spent a year training as a cadet aboard ocean vessels. Newburgh will fulfill his commitment as a student naval aviator.

(US Merchant Marine)