The American Cancer Society held its second annual Big Dig in the Desert, raising over $175,000 for pediatric cancer research at DMB’s Eastmark Mesa property.
Skanska, one of the world’s leading construction and development firms, was once again a founding sponsor of the event.
Big Dig in the Desert gives local Phoenix children, including those with cancer, the opportunity to operate heavy machinery, including back-hoes, diggers, excavators (with supervision), and much more.
More than 200 volunteers helped cancer’s youngest patients and survivors, along with their families and community members, enjoy the day on construction’s biggest equipment. From operating diggers, to going sky high in scissor lifts, climbing on bulldozers, helicopters and more, they were able to forget about cancer for the day, and enjoy being a kid.
Skanska sponsored the “Kid’s Zone,” which featured all types of kid-friendly activities, including Lego building and coloring.
“Seeing the looks on the faces of the children who attended the Big Dig made it more than worth it for us to participate,” said Ross Vroman, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska’s Phoenix operations. “We were delighted to be a part of something so special for the families that attended.”
Sponsors and ticketholders were “hard hats” for the day, helping operate heavy construction equipment at this family event. More than 1,200 big and little construction “operators” attended this unique fundraiser for The American Cancer Society in support of pediatric cancer.