Desert Arc Celebrates 65th Anniversary Milestone
BY MADELINE ZUCKERMAN
PHOTOS BY LORETTA VLACH.
Desert Arc has announced it will host its highly-anticipated Sixth Annual “Champions of Change” Recognition Awards Luncheon, on Thursday, February 8, 2024. This event annually honors local companies, as well as individuals in our Valley who champion Desert Arc’s mission of enhancing the quality of life and creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year’s not-to-be-missed Recognition Awards Luncheon will feature Keynote Speaker John Page, Senior Vice President of Oak View Group 360, Acrisure Arena, and the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The event will also feature an exclusive silent auction, and will be held in the Grand Ballroom at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, commencing at 11:30 am and concluding by 1:30 pm. Several hundred community leaders, as well as, City Officials will be in attendance that day.
Distinguished Awards will be presented at the luncheon to recipients in the following categories:
Champion Of The Year – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Business Partner Of The Year – Paper Recycling & Shredding Specialists, Inc.
Business Star Of The Year – DAP Health
Volunteer Of The Year – Sherry Kensington/Parent Advocate
Clients Of The Year – People Served By Desert Arc’s Mission:
Ashleigh M. – Janitorial Division in Yucca Valley
Lionel P. – Adult Day Program in Palm Desert
Naomie P. – Fulfillment Division in Palm Desert
Reyes R. – Shredding & Recycling Center in Indio
“Desert Arc’s annual Champions Of Change Recognition Awards Luncheon is a very inspirational event, as it brilliantly showcases our mission in motion with heartwarming stories about people with disabilities who participate in our programs,” notes Board Chair Damian Jenkins. “It’s an amazing opportunity for our nonprofit human services agency to recognize and honor individuals and organizations in the larger community who champion our vital cause.”
Nancy Singer, a Desert Arc Board Member and past Board Chair is the Luncheon Event Chair. Luncheon Emcee is Brooke Beare, Emmy® Award-Winning Journalist, who is a Board Member and Immediate Past Chair of the Desert Arc Board.
“As the Chair of Desert Arc’s two annual fundraising events and the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, I encourage people to attend and join us in support of people with disabilities. Desert Arc’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for people with disabilities. The Awards Luncheon is a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our clients in reaching their personal goals through the guiding support of our charity’s dedicated program team,” stated Nancy Singer.
Media Sponsors for this year’s Awards Luncheon include THE DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ, Presenting Newspaper & Digital Media Sponsor; INLAND EMPIRE MAGAZINE, Exclusive Magazine Media Sponsor; KESQ News Channel 3, Exclusive TV Media Sponsor; and ALPHA MEDIA – Palm Springs, Exclusive Radio Media Sponsor.
Individual luncheon tickets are $100 per person, with sponsorship opportunities ranging from $1,500 to $ 10,000. For additional event information about Desert Arc’s Sixth Annual “Champions of Change” Recognition Awards Luncheon and/or information on Desert Arc, please call 760-404-1368 or visit DesertArc.org
“Desert Arc’s 65th Anniversary Year is a testament to how important our life-enriching programs and services are to people with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers,” stated Richard Balocco, President/CEO of Desert Arc. “It also underscores the affirmative fulfillment of our nonprofit organization’s mission to individuals who have called Desert Arc home for upwards of 40–50 years. Proceeds from Desert Arc’s annual fundraising events, the Champions Of Change Recognition Awards Luncheon on February 8, 2024 and the Golf Classic on April 1, 2024, benefit our cause by providing critical financial support for our Health Care, Nutrition, and other programs that are not funded by the State of California.”
ABOUT DESERT ARC
Desert Arc is a leading nonprofit, currently celebrating its 65th Anniversary milestone of providing comprehensive services for 673 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, Palo Verde Valley, and surrounding desert communities. Since its founding in 1959, Desert Arc has been offering person-centric programs and resources designed to meet the diverse needs of its clients (people with disabilities served by its mission) including: an adult day program, health care, nutrition, and sports and recreation programs. Its FYI – For Your Independence team of life skills coaches work with clients in the independent and supportive living programs. Dedicated to social innovation, Desert Arc has also created a variety of enterprises providing Business Services including their Shredding & Recycling, Landscape Maintenance, Janitorial, and Fulfillment Divisions. These are growing micro-businesses developed to provide employment for its clients, as well as, an earned income revenue stream for Desert Arc. Pathways to Employment is the umbrella for the organization’s vocational, on-the-job training and individual job placement service programs, working directly for Desert Arc or within their fellow employer network. Over its consistent and financially sound 65-year history, Desert Arc has been making a difference in the lives of so many people with disabilities!
Desert Arc’s main headquarters is located on Country Club Drive in Palm Desert, consisting of three buildings totaling 50,000 square feet of space. In addition, Desert Arc has a Recycling Center and Transportation Depot in Indio, and another program site in Yucca Valley.
For general information on Desert Arc please call 760.346.1611. For information on Desert Arc’s Business Services please call 760.404.1370. For information on Desert Arc Fundraising Events please call 760.404.1368 or visit DesertArc.org.
