Children's charities, students honored with $65k in grants from Rancho Mirage Woman's Club
The Rancho Mirage Woman's Club (RMWC) held its annual philanthropic meeting April 28 at Chaparral Country Club in Palm Desert. It was the perfect setting for such a large group of women and an ideal place for this event, which was very special because not only were the women getting together as a social club, they were gathered to present scholarships to young people in the community to help further their education and also to several charities located within the Coachella Valley for their excellent service and work with children.
Following an extended social hour, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken caesar salad followed by a medley of desserts with the pièce de résistance being the salt caramel crème brûlée, accompanied by fresh fruit and ice cream.
Local children's charities received donations from the Rancho Mirage Woman's Club, and each of them had an information table during the social hour so members could learn more about them. The recipients were the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, the Coachella Valley History Museum, Father's Heart Ranch, Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Olive Crest and Rancho Mirage Elementary School.
In addition, six college-bound students from Rancho Mirage High School benefited from scholarships and were lunch guests of the club.
Sign up for our free Rancho Mirage newsletter: Get top stories delivered to your inbox once a week.
The Rancho Mirage Woman's Club also has an endowment fund for nursing students at College of the Desert, from which they donate every year.
Established in 1963, RMWC is a fast-growing group of more than 100 women. At its inception, the club held picnics, barbecues and family activities. Twenty years later in January 1983, the Whitewater Park was officially opened and the Rancho Mirage Woman's Club donated $9,500 for the playground equipment. Since then, many club picnics have been enjoyed there.
RMWC continues to thrive and donate to local children's charities, giving nearly $500,000 in the last decade alone. At the luncheon held April 28, $65,000 was given to the charities and students.
The group, which will hold its final meeting until September on May 28, again at Chaparral, is always looking to grow. To inquire about becoming a member, email rmwcwebmaster@gmail.com or visit ranchomiragewomansclub.org.
Carole Stephen-Smith has lived in the desert for more than 30 years. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she began writing in London and has been a regular contributor to The Desert Sun for eight years.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Charities, students awarded grants from Rancho Mirage Woman's Club
