By Madeline Zuckerman
Olive Crest Desert Communities’ highly-acclaimed POWER OF ONE Annual Luncheon, held once again at Bighorn Golf Club, was a sold out success with 170 guests in attendance. Olive Crest, known for its dedication to treating and educating at-risk children and to preserving the family. . . “One Life at a Time,®” raised valuable resources at this event to fund the organization’s life-changing programs within the Coachella Valley.
“We all have someone in our lives who has left a lasting, positive impact,” said Tracy Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of Olive Crest Inland and Desert Communities. “We come together to celebrate remarkable individuals whose partnership with Olive Crest has created a ripple effect throughout our community. Their dedication to vulnerable children and families reminds us of a powerful truth – – one community, one church, one business, one volunteer, one donor, one mentor, one person can make a profound difference. I am both excited and grateful to recognize the transformative change the POWER OF ONE has brought to the lives of children and families in the Coachella Valley. As we honor these individuals, I invite you to reflect on how you too, can contribute to healing and change for the youth in our community. With your continued support, we witness firsthand the incredible impact of the POWER OF ONE. Together, we are creating a generational difference for children, teens, and families – – One Life at a Time®.”
Karen Devine, KESQ News Channel 3 Anchor, served as Emcee of the event, which honored and celebrated six Olive Crest Champions Of Hope. These extraordinary individuals and organizations have been dedicated to protecting and serving children and families in crisis.
Pastor Jeff Crawford from the Church Of The Red Door gave the invocation, followed by Tracy Fitzsimmons, who presented some updates about the efforts of Olive Crest in our community. Velma Hagar then shared her emotional and inspirational personal story about her childhood growing up with an abusive father. Other special guest speakers included Michelle, Josiah, and Isaiah Eastman, an amazing Olive Crest foster care family, Cristina Daniel, an Olive Crest kid who currently is a Case Manager with Olive Crest’s Transitional Housing Program, along with Jeorgette Cuellar, a graduate of Olive Crest’s Transitional Housing Program, soon to graduate from UCLA.
Olive Crest Champions Of Hope honored at the luncheon included:
VISIONARY AWARD – Connie & Bob Lurie
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Jeri McLellen
CHURCH OF THE YEAR – Friendship Church
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Sun Community Federal Credit Union
DONORS OF THE YEAR – The Gagan Family
FAMILY OF THE YEAR – The Bolton Family
Luncheon Event Sponsors included K. Hinkle Painting, Stonegate West Real Estate Group, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, Associa Desert Resort Management, Albright Law, Hydes AC, Heating, and Electrical Services, WDC Kitchen & Bath Center, the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage, JW Marriott Desert Springs Palm Desert Resort & Spa, and Solis Wealth Management, Inc.
Media Sponsors included THE DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ, Presenting Newspaper & Digital Media Sponsor, and KESQ TV News Channel 3, Exclusive TV Media Sponsor.
ABOUT OLIVE CREST
Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 250,000 children and their families. Our model of strengthening, equipping, and restoring children in crisis has proven to be extremely effective in stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect, and empowering strong families to become healthy and productive in their communities. Our 99% stability rate is a testament to the lifelong commitment and unwavering compassion that the Olive Crest family maintains to the children and families we serve, even after they have graduated from our programs.
Olive Crest serves 5,000 children and families each day throughout the Western United States.
For general information, call 800.550.CHILD( 2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org For information on Olive Crest’s new Children and Family Resource Center please visit www.olivecrest.org/coachella-valley/
