Raised to Give Back

Chino Valley resident Jonathan Knight is passionate about serving the community. Knight is the winner of this year’s Desert Financial Credit Union Susan Frank Volunteer of the Year Award for volunteering more than 322 hours in 2022. Knight works at Desert Financial’s Prescott Valley branch and has volunteered for 24 different organizations and at nearly 168 events last year.

Knight said that Desert Financial’s focus on community is one of the reasons he chose to work there. Desert Financial encourages volunteering with paid volunteer time and coordinated credit union events. The 1,100 employees across Arizona volunteered a total of 15,185 hours last year alone.

Desert Financial’s mentality of “leading through serving” is “kind of intoxicating,” according to Knight. “I can’t help but want to be a part of it and give back.”

The Susan Frank Volunteer of the Year Award gives Knight another way to help others. The award winner receives a trophy, a bag of local and sustainable gifts, a $200 gift card and the opportunity to select a charity for Desert Financial to donate $1,500.

Knight has selected Yavapai Big Brothers and Big Sisters to receive $1,500 in his name. “They do so much for the kids in the community,” said Knight. “And they’re working on implementing a program to help mentor 18 to 24 year olds joining the workforce. That’s something I’m really excited about.”

Knight thanks his family and everyone he works with for supporting him. “I want to share my appreciation for being able to give back in a way that has been meaningful and impactful to me.”

Knight’s family moved from Oregon to the Prescott area about 20 years ago when his father accepted a job as a pastor. “I grew up in the church, so community and giving back was always very strongly encouraged. It kind of became natural and feels like something that’s missing if you’re not doing it.”

When asked what advice he has for others who want to give back, he says find something that you are passionate about. “You’re going to fizzle out if you pick something just because it seems like a good thing to do. It’s not about changing anything. It’s about being a part of what makes this place so special.” QCBN

By Attie Murphy, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Jonathan Knight, pictured here with Desert Financial Credit Union CEO Jeff Meshey, is honored as Volunteer of the Year after serving 24 different organizations with more than 322 hours of service in 2022.