America First Credit Union supports annual Hawk Walk fundraiser at West Haven Elementary

WEST HAVEN, Utah (May 22, 2026) — More than 500 students at West Haven Elementary wrapped up the school year by walking for a cause during the school’s annual Hawk Walk fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Rather than spending the final hours of the school year in classrooms, students walked laps around the school field while raising money through pledges and donations from family members, friends, and the community.

America First Credit Union partnered with the school for the event, helping support the fundraiser and presenting an additional donation to the American Cancer Society.

The event also featured music from a live DJ and appearances from local sports mascots, helping celebrate students as they finished the school year.

“With an event like today we’re able to help our younger generation be able to make an impact and be able to understand what making a difference is on a larger scale collectively doing it together,” Amber Greenwell, director of the America First Charitable Foundation said. “Getting these students involved at such a young age creates that exposure to want to give back when their older.”

The annual Hawk Walk began in 2007 after a West Haven student wanted to support a teacher whose sons had been diagnosed with cancer. What started as a small school fundraiser has grown into a long-running community tradition focused on generosity, service and cancer awareness.

“This is something the kids look forward to every year,” said Courtney Geisler, principal of West Haven Elementary. “This is the thing they remember about Hawk Walk – not just the fun and the mascots, but the difference that its making as well.”

For fifth-grade teacher Melissa Marten, the event is also personal. Marten lost her sister to cancer in 2016 and said the fundraiser continues to inspire her each year.

“It makes me want to cry. This is a huge thing. I think that most people know someone who’s been affected by cancer. We’re all kind of doing what we can, and this is what we can do.”

The event concluded with students enjoying Zeppe’s Italian Ice before cancer survivors took a celebratory victory lap around the field.

By the numbers

• More than 500 students participated in this year’s Hawk Walk
• The fundraiser has supported the American Cancer Society since 2007
• America First Credit Union added a $3,000 donation to this year’s fundraiser by donating $5 for every participating student and teacher
• Mascots in attendance included Jazz Bear, Tusky, Swoop, Cleo and Leo, and the West Haven Hawk

America First Credit Union has supported the Hawk Walk for 19 years as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening local communities and supporting causes important to employees, members, and families.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION 
Founded in 1939, America First Credit Union has grown from a single branch serving military personnel and federal employees into one of the strongest and most progressive credit unions in the country. The credit union is the largest in Utah and has 117 locations across Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. It is also the fifth largest credit union in America with more than 1.5 million members, and the sixth largest in assets with more than $24 billion. America First Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to building communities and helping members do more with their money. Learn more at americafirst.com.