UPWARD for children and families recently received a $20,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to support Project Care, Comfort and Education, which provides special education, therapy and nursing services for children who have severe disabilities and are medically fragile. The grant will specifically support registered nurse and licensed practical nurse care to ensure that the children’s medical needs are met so that they can attend school.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of Thunderbirds Charities and their commitment to children with special needs,” said UPWARD CEO Doug Carter. “UPWARD is a place where abilities thrive and every child is treated with dignity and respect.”

UPWARD has been dedicated to a simple yet powerful purpose: To see past a child’s disability, recognize their unique abilities, and do everything in our power to ensure these children and their families thrive—through education, therapy and loving care. Due to a passionate commitment to this calling, Upward is many of the Valley school districts’ primary provider of special education, therapy and childcare for children with severe disabilities. For more information on UPWARD, visit www.upwardaz.org.

Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona.