By Madeline Zuckerman
(left to right) Michael O’Keefe, Lynn Malotto, Fuego, CV Firebirds Mascot, Mayor Steve Downs, and Meg Marker.
With a record crowd of over 325 loyal supporters, Desert Arc hosted its Sixth Annual Champions Of Change Recognition Awards Luncheon, which honors local individuals and companies in our Valley who champion Desert Arc’s mission. Held in the grand ballroom of Agua Caliente Resort Casino & Spa in Rancho Mirage, the luncheon raised a record $100,000 to benefit Desert Arc’s life-impacting programs and services for people with disabilities. New to the event this year receiving rave reviews, was the silent and live auctions, opportunity drawings, and performance by Hot Purple Energy’s All-Stars Band. And, the surprise guest appearance by Fuego, the Coachella Valley Firebirds mascot, made the event a resounding success!
“This year’s Awards luncheon once again showcased Desert Arc’s “mission in motion” celebrating the remarkable achievements of four of our clients, people with disabilities enrolled in our programs, as well as those individuals and businesses who champion our cause,” said Richard Balocco, Desert Arc’s President/CEO. “We are grateful to John Page, Senior Vice President of the Oak View Group 360, Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, for serving as our inaugural keynote speaker, and presenting the win-win value of hiring people with disabilities based on his firsthand knowledge of instituting this type of program. Apropos of this special occasion surrounding our 65th Anniversary milestone, I was very pleased to announce the news of Sherrie Auen and The Auen Foundation’s recent matching grant award in the amount of $25,000 in support of our Shredding & Recycling Division, affording our nonprofit organization to purchase a critically needed electric forklift. Both of our annual fundraising events, this one and the Golf Classic on April 1, 2024, raise vital funds for Desert Arc’s Healthcare, Nutrition, and other programs that make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”
Nancy Singer, Event Chair, long-standing Desert Arc Board member, past Board Chair, and Development Committee Chair, teamed up with Emcee Brooke Beare, Emmy® Award-Winning Journalist and long-standing Desert Arc Board Member and immediate past Board Chair, to make this year’s event the most memorable.
Awards were presented 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
Luncheon Presenting Sponsors included Harold Matzner, The Auen Foundation, Edeltraub McCarthy Foundation, and the City of Rancho Mirage. Additional Sponsors included Eisenhower Health, Hot Purple Energy, Paper Recycling & Shredding Specialists, Nancy Singer, Acrisure Arena, Richard Balocco, Darlene Beneto, City of Indian Wells, City of Indio, City of Palm Desert, City of Palm Springs, Erica-Davis-Popely, Desert Equity LLC, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Lyn & Michael Green, The Management Trust, SA Recycling, Lori & Aubrey Serfling, Ronald A. Stewart, PhD., Visit Greater Palm Springs, and Doug & Verna Watson.
Patrick Jordan of DAP Health, who was honored as Business Star of the Year, Damian Jenkins, Desert Arc Board Chair, and Mark Hamilton of DAP Health.
This year’s Media Sponsors included 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.
“As the Chair of Desert Arc’s two annual fundraising events, I am overwhelmed with the response and support we received this year for our Annual Champions Luncheon,” said Nancy Singer. “This event is a wonderful celebration of the achievements of our clients in reaching their personal goals through the guiding support of Desert Arc’s dedicated program team.”
Save The Date of April 1, 2024 for Desert Arc’s 14th Annual Golf Classic at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
ABOUT DESERT ARC
Desert Arc is a leading nonprofit, currently celebrating its 65th Anniversary milestone of providing comprehensive services for 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Coachella Valley, the Morongo basin, Palo Verde Valley, and the 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, healthcare, nutrition, and sports and recreation programs. It’s 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 client’s, 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 employment 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.
For additional information on Desert Arc, please call 760-346-1611 or visit DesertArc.org
