As Lilly stepped behind the podium at Phoenix Children’s, the room quieted. Framed by the mosaic-tiled wall, she began describing her experience as a patient and how treatment and care at Phoenix Children’s affected her life. The story was the highlight of an evening celebrating Sundt’s renewed commitment to the hospital.
The event marked Sundt’s new five-year, $1 million pledge to support Phoenix Children’s.
A competitive dancer, Lilly was 11 when worsening knee pain led to a diagnosis of osteosarcoma in late 2024. During treatment, music therapy and the support of Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders brought moments of joy and encouragement.
Lilly is now in remission and has returned to both school and the competitive dance stage.
“Lilly’s story is a reminder of what’s at stake every day at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders,” said Cade Rowley, president and CEO of Sundt. “It’s why Sundt is deepening its commitment to Phoenix Children’s by providing another $1 million over five years to help the Center continue its work in treatment and research.”
The Big Idea That Started It All
In 2016, while working for the American Cancer Society, Sarah Owen brought an idea to the late Dave Crawford, Sundt’s then-president and CEO: give children facing cancer the opportunity to operate construction equipment for a day.
Dave immediately embraced the concept and rallied Arizona’s construction community to bring the inaugural Big Dig for Kids to life just eight months later. Sarah went on to join Sundt as an employee-owner in business development, where she has continued serving on Big Dig for Kids’ founding board.
In 2020, the event’s board shifted its support from the American Cancer Society to Phoenix Children’s, keeping the investment close to home. With that local focus, and incredible partnership, the event grew quickly from raising approximately $200,000 to becoming a $1 million event.
Each year, a unique construction site comes to life for Phoenix Children’s patients and their families. In place of scaffold-covered buildings or roads waiting to be built, the site is filled with construction equipment, pop-up tents, and a sea of volunteers ready to welcome hundreds of children.
Big Dig for Kids has raised more than $4 million for Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and given more than 8,100 children the opportunity to attend the event.
In 2025 alone, more than 2,000 participants, 500 volunteers and 60 pieces of equipment came together with support from 91 sponsors and donors.
Sundt remains Big Dig’s title sponsor and a founding board member of Big Dig for Kids.
A Partnership Beyond Big Dig
While the annual event is the largest and most visible piece of Sundt’s partnership with Phoenix Children’s, Sundt employee-owners extend their time and support beyond that single day.
Employee-owners have contributed over 500 volunteer hours to Phoenix Children’s, helping host Valentine’s Day giveaways, Halloween arts and crafts, Christmas tree activities and construction-themed birthday parties.
“It’s our responsibility and privilege to leave a lasting, positive impact on the communities where we live and work,” said Owen. “The partnership between Sundt and Phoenix Children’s embodies this commitment.”
Since 2021, Sundt’s total support for Phoenix Children’s has exceeded $1.4 million.
That support has helped expand the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Infusion Center by adding six private rooms and a quick-infusion bay. It has also helped improve the chemotherapy pharmacy and advance clinical research.
“Sundt Construction has been an incredible partner to Phoenix Children’s, and this generous commitment will help us continue advancing care for children and families facing cancer and blood disorders,” said Tim Harrison, vice president, corporate partnerships, special events and grant philanthropy at Phoenix Children’s.
A Commitment That Keeps Growing
Ten years after its inception, Big Dig for Kids is scheduled to return on Nov. 7, 2026.
Phoenix Children’s patients will once again don their safety vests and hard hats, climb into heavy equipment and spend a day doing what every child should have the opportunity to do: just be a kid.
“Dave Crawford built something lasting when he started Big Dig for Kids, and our employee-owners are proud to keep it growing,” said Rowley.
