By Madeline Zuckerman
“This is a wonderful organization,” said Lewis Wolff. “Major League Baseball has to grow through our youth, and certainly this organization is one of the keys to that growth.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, an outstanding nonprofit in our community who has been providing life-changing, one-on-one mentoring for Coachella Valley youth for 27 years, hosted its two day fundraising event recently. The organization hosted its 26th Annual Hall of Fame Dinner at Toscana Country Club, followed by a really fun Golf Tournament the following day.
Attended by over 160 guests, this year’s Hall Of Fame Dinner honored Lewis Wolff, Chairman, CEO of Wolff Urban Management, who was the former Owner, Managing Partner, and is currently Chairman Emeritus of the Oakland Athletics, Co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Co-owner of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, and Co-owner of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League.
“Events like this help us further the mission of our Mentoring Program,” said Judy Tobin May, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Of The Desert. “What we do transforms lives in children’s futures. Children in our program are 20% more likely to attend college, and they will experience a 15% boost in earnings between the ages of 20 and 25. And best of all, every dollar invested in Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert’s Mentoring Program pays for itself within seven years, creating sustained economic benefits.”
Festivities commenced with an elegant cocktail reception, and encompassed silent and live auctions, a Bling opportunity drawing for a stunning diamond bracelet, a Sponsor Match for Johnny’s Kids and the Frank Gaeta Scholarship Fund, a spontaneous conversation between Ron Silverman and Honoree Lewis Wolff, and an emotional and inspirational presentation by Big Sister Lola Kent, who spoke about her amazing journey with her Little Sister Clementina Barragan.
“The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program is so important to me because I would not be who I am today as a person, a friend, a sister, an auntie or in my career, if it weren’t for people mentoring me,” remarked Kent.
“I was hesitant about asking for a Big Sister because I was afraid it might not work out,” said Little Sister Clementina. If I had not asked for a Big Sister, I would have made the biggest mistake of my life.”
This year’s Hall Of Fame Dinner and Golf Tournament Sponsors included Ron & Mellisa Silverman, Mark Segal, Lewis Wolff, Ernesto Rosales of ER Funeral Pre-Planning, Inc., Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Association, BelAir Investment Advisors, Ron & Aviva Snow, Walter Clark Legal Group, H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, Jack & Tina Higgins, Julia Kelly, Patrick & Midge Mulcahy, Ben & Kappy Olson, Cosgrove Humphrey & Weisman Attorneys, Anthem Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, Regency Residential, Frank & Alvera Gaeta, Cardiff Transportation, David Suss & Sue Rappaport, Blooming Floral Events, Petite Bee Events, and Roger Dunn Worldwide Golf Shops.
“For the past two years we have achieved double digit growth in children served,” said Judy Tobin May. “Funds raised from this event will assist us in expanding our reach and serving more Coachella Valley youth. It costs us an average of $3,000 to make and support one match, and we provide this program free of charge to families. Some of the funds raised will be earmarked for the Gaeta Scholarship Fund established two years ago in honor of Frank Gaeta, a longtime supporter, Board Member, past Board President, and overall Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert Ambassador. We have awarded 11 scholarships for community college, university, or vocational trade schools to the youth who have graduated from our program. This year, we have six graduating from high school, and we hope to honor them with scholarships to assist them in their future educational paths. In 2024, we served 175 youth in both our community-based and site-based Mentoring Programs.”
Seen in the crowd were Ron & Mellisa Silverman, Gary & Kay Truitt, Jack & Tina Higgins, Ron & Pat Harris, Ron & Aviva Snow, Mike & Aracely Solomon, Ben & Kappy Olson, Frank Gaeta, Bert & Dora Tobia, Ernesto & Alba Rosales, James Graff-Radford, Geri & Walter Clark, Lola Kent, Jerry Keller, Francis & Mary Ann Wong, Dan & Carrie Levine, Gene & Nimi Berlanti, and Dave McFarland.
“When you see these children’s faces, it is so rewarding to be involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Frank Gaeta. “This organization is making a profound impact on the youth within the Coachella Valley.”
For information on Big Brothers Big Sisters please call 760-568-3977 or visit www.BBBSDesert.org.
