CV Giving Day 2025
Last year’s CV Giving Day marked a monumental moment for SteamRocket, with an award of over $6,000 that helped us bring hands-on, STEAM-based learning to the Coachella Valley. Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors and the support of sponsors—NPO Centric, First Bank, Google, KESQ3, The Auen Foundation, Desert Community Charities, and Amazon—we were able to fund 24 summer Learning Lab workshops at the Indio, Coachella, and Mecca libraries. These workshops provided nearly 240 youth with enriching opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in ways that spark curiosity and foster lifelong skills.
“We’ve built relationships with communities from Desert Hot Springs to Mecca,” said Justin Decker, SteamRocket co-founder. “These connections fuel our mission to bring accessible STEAM programs to kids who might not otherwise have access to it.”
This summer, the valley’s first-ever Minecraft Coding Club and LEGO Robotics Club continued alongside innovative programs supported by ChangeX and The LEGO Foundation. These clubs inspired students to explore programming, robotics, and problem-solving through engaging hands-on experiences. The workshops offered a variety of activities, including slime chemistry, earthquake safety, paper circuits, and hex bug races, all aimed at making science and creativity exciting.
“The kids were so engaged and inspired,” said co-founder Crysta McDonnell. “Moments like these remind us why we do what we do—to give kids a chance to dream big and learn by doing.”
As we look ahead, CV Giving Day 2025 is just around the corner, and SteamRocket is once again asking the community to help us Fuel the Future! While CV Giving Day officially kicks off on March 4, 2025, Early Giving begins on February 4, 2025, allowing supporters to start making an impact even sooner.
SteamRocket’s work is powered by community support. Just $12 can fund a full year of access to Minecraft: Education Edition, while $20 provides components for a year of hands-on engineering activities. Every dollar truly makes a difference in empowering the youth of the Coachella Valley with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.
This year, we’re asking for your help to continue this vital work. Your donation could be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for science, coding, or robotics. Email crystal@steamrocket.co or visit our CV GIving Day profile to give or get involved.
With your help, we can continue building a brighter future for the Coachella Valley’s youth, one workshop at a time.