Mountain America and the Utah Jazz "Pass it Along" to Friends of GIANT Steps

Mountain America Credit Union and the Utah Jazz are pleased to announce Friends of GIANT Steps as this season’s fifth and final recipient of “Pass It Along,” a program featuring fan-nominated opportunities that rewards five local charitable organizations each season with $5,000 each. With this donation, “Pass It Along” has contributed $180,000 to local nonprofits since its inception in 2013. 

Friends of GIANT Steps is a nonprofit organization that supports the GIANT Steps Autism Preschool, which offers an individualized plan for 72 preschool-aged children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Friends of GIANT Steps works closely with the school, which has classrooms along the Wasatch Front, to support the staff and teachers with field trips, teacher appreciations, graduation activities, and more.

“This kind of donation allows our children to have learning experiences that help them grow in ways we didn't even think were possible,” says parents from Friends of GIANT Steps. “Whether it's helping our children be able to be with us in public settings without serious tantrums or helping our kids learn to play or speak for the first time, and everything in between, GIANT Steps has always been there for us. Thank you for helping us support the program so they can aid even more children in ways they have helped us.”

Recently, Mountain America’s president and chief executive officer, Sterling Nielsen, visited Friends of GIANT Steps to learn how the agency supports the school’s treatment approaches and provides services for the children. 

“GIANT Steps gives young children with autism the opportunity to develop critical social and behavior management skills,” says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. “In addition to offering vital resources and care, GIANT Steps provides family outings such as Daddies Day activities, family field trips, and date nights to ensure families maintain strong relationships.”

This season’s first four “Pass It Along” recipients were USANA Kids Eat, Operation Warm, Utah Parent Center, and The Adoption Exchange. 

For more information, please visit utahjazz.com/passitalong.