Giving roundup: Apply now for a Coachella Valley Spotlight award, plus lots of donations

Desert Sun staff
·3 min read

Here's a quick look at what's happening with our local nonprofits.

Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club delivers school supplies

Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club members participated in the Back to School Backpack Giveaway program at the James O. Jesse Highland Unity Center on Aug. 2, 2022.
Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club members participated in the Back to School Backpack Giveaway program at the James O. Jesse Highland Unity Center on Aug. 2, 2022.

The Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club's Back to School Backpack Giveaway program took place this year at the James O. Jesse Highland Unity Center on Aug. 2. The center's director, Jarvis Crawford, welcomed the students and their parents to the annual event.

Members of the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club, along with residents from Miralon and the members of the Palm Springs Fire Department, handed out 100 backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Palm Springs Sunup Rotary members donated in-kind supplies as well as monetary donations to the worthwhile cause. Free haircuts were also donated to the students as were coupons from FIND Food Bank. Additional donations were made by the Palm Springs Public Library.

Rotarians at the event were Crawford, Bob Allan, Carrie Allan, Kevin Taylor and Peter de la Torre. palmspringssunuprotary.org

Alzheimers Coachella Valley receives three grants

Edwina Dirk, ACV board member and Priscilla Kubas, ACV program director, enjoy a toast at the Wirewomen PSP event on July 31, 2022.
Edwina Dirk, ACV board member and Priscilla Kubas, ACV program director, enjoy a toast at the Wirewomen PSP event on July 31, 2022.

On Aug. 16, Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) announced it was the recipient of a $30,000 grant from the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation. The funding will be used to expand the organization's popular Club Journey program. Building on the partnership with College of the Desert's nursing program, Club Journey will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week to accommodate the growing need for families and nursing students.

In other donation news, Robert Costello from Home Instead Senior Care recently presented ACV with a $4,000 donation. Costello is the president of the local Home Instead franchise that covers Palm Desert, Palm Springs and surrounding cities. His local office has been proudly providing excellent service to seniors since 1996. The donation will help ACV support efforts working with families in of supportive services for cognitive health issues.

In addition, Winewomen PSP held its monthly dinner July 31, benefiting ACV; $1,700 was raised. This is the third time ACV was the beneficiary of this organization which has raised more than $6,500 for ACV. cvalzheimers.org

Application period now open for Coachella Valley Spotlight

Pegasus Riding Academy received Coachella Valley Spotlight grants in both July 2009 and July 2019.
Pegasus Riding Academy received Coachella Valley Spotlight grants in both July 2009 and July 2019.

The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will award $300,000 in grants to 12 Coachella Valley area nonprofit organizations, the organization announced Aug. 12. Applications are due Sept. 28.

Since the program began, more than $4 million in grants have been awarded to about 160 local nonprofit organizations.

Recipients are selected by the News Channel 3 community advisory board, which includes representatives from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and members of the community.

"We look forward to this unique grant-making process every year. We usually receive about 100 applications, so selecting only 12 recipients is difficult, but when we see the grant funds in action, it's very rewarding," said Catharine Reed, vice president of charitable programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.

Coachella Valley Spotlight applications are available at kesq.com; click on the Coachella Valley Spotlight logo on the home page. Recipients will be notified by December. For more information, call 760-773-0342. hnberger.org

Amazon hosts employee back-to-school drive

Kasey Nelson, Amazon site manager; Randy Nunez, delivery driver; John Buckner, process assistant; and Debbi Collier, assistant principal, were present at the Amazon employee back-to-school drive.
Kasey Nelson, Amazon site manager; Randy Nunez, delivery driver; John Buckner, process assistant; and Debbi Collier, assistant principal, were present at the Amazon employee back-to-school drive.

Cathedral City Amazon employees and its delivery service partners (GT Elite Logistics, Commute is Great Logistics and Salim Logistics) gave back to the community in a big way.

Amazon employee John Buckner spearheaded the back-to-school supply drive at Amazon Delivery Station DJW8. Six boxes full of notebook paper, pencils, pens, backpacks and other supplies were delivered to Cathedral City Elementary School on Aug. 11. The school was chosen because of its proximity to the delivery station. Assistant Principal Debbi Collier was excited and thankful for the generous donation.

The supplies were given by people who live, work and send their children to Coachella Valley schools. They know hardships can hinder some families from being able to provide needed supplies for their children and wanted to help. As it turns out, delivery driver Randy Nunez went to Cathedral City Elementary School, and his children will be attending in the near future.

Email your nonprofit's news to giving@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Apply for a Coachella Valley Spotlight award, plus recent donations