Giving roundup: Register for Martha's 5K, audition for Palm Springs Opera Guild and more
Here's a quick look at what's happening with our local nonprofits.
Register now for Martha’s Village Thanksgiving 5K, save 15%
The 16th annual Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K benefiting Martha’s Village & Kitchen will take place Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24, on El Paseo in Palm Desert. The charity race, presented by NBC Palm Springs, is both competitive (certified course/timed race) and casual, with prizes for the winners in several age categories.
This year, Toyota of the Desert will be presenting the top female and male runners with a prize of $500 each.
In addition to the race, the event features a Kid’s Zone, a beer garden, a pet station and interactive sponsor booths. All registrants receive a long-sleeve dri-fit shirt and a goodie bag. Participants can register, donate or become a sponsor by visiting mvk5k.com. Register before Sept. 30 and save 15% with promo code PRESALE15.
Volunteer opportunities for the 5K are also available. Contact Dalaney Blackmore at (760) 347-4741 ext. 119 for more information.
Palm Springs Opera Guild to host end-of-summer concert, vocal auditions
The Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert recently announced a partnership with Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep); its summer series will conclude with an opera performance by Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez (mezzo-soprano) and Joel Balzun (baritone) on Sept. 1 at CVRep, 7-8 p.m.
The tuneful evening will include both familiar and rarely heard arias by Giuseppe Verdi and Gaetano Donizetti. Tickets are $35. To purchase, visit palmspringsoperaguild.org.
In addition, the nonprofit will host a vocal competition at which young opera singers from around the Western United States can compete for $33,500 in cash prizes. More than 100 singers between the ages of 21 and 34 are expected to participate in the auditions for this, one of the longest-running singing competitions in the country.
The first level of the competition will take place Nov. 5 in the Community Hall on the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory campus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eight finalists will then compete at CVRep on Dec. 3.
Vocalists can apply online at palmspringsoperaguild.org or by contacting Laurie Baldwin at (760) 325-6107 or via laurie@palmspringsoperaguild.org.
Mead Valley's Charles Meigs Center celebrates new digital sign
On July 18, the Charles Meigs Community Center in Mead Valley, along with community partners Health Net and Majestic Realty, unveiled the installation of a new dual-sided digital sign board that will aid the center’s public outreach efforts by providing up-to-date multilingual health awareness and event information.
The Grove Community Church’s Perris outreach department, operators of the center in partnership with the County of Riverside, recognized that many local residents walk and ride their horse past the center. Having a digital sign outside is the best method of improving multilingual communication and increasing access to services among local residents.
The center provides the community with regular food distribution, family activities, health care events and other activities.
“We realized that we needed even more ways to engage with members of our community, and this sign board will help us do just that,” said Community Outreach Minister Noland Turnage. “Many of the residents who use our center do not regularly use email and speak languages other than English. This simple fix helps us speak directly and effectively to our neighbors.”
For information about the Charles Meigs Community Center, call (951) 210-1580 or visit @charlesmeigscommcenter on Facebook or thegrove.cc.
Living Free receives $25,000 grant from H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation
More animals may find forever homes, thanks to a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant presented to Living Free Animal Sanctuary from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The grant will be used to rescue and care for dogs and cats facing imminent euthanasia at local shelters until they are adopted.
“We are grateful to the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3’s advisory board for believing in the value our organization provides the Coachella Valley,” said Jennie Rayner, board chair of Living Free.
Living Free was founded in 1980. Every animal who enters the sanctuary receives a full medical exam and any necessary medical care, including immunizations. They are also microchipped and spayed or neutered.
Animals that are not adopted live out their days at Living Free on 155 acres in Mountain Center.
“The natural environment of Living Free Animal Sanctuary is an inspiring concept, providing animals with a cage-free and comfortable home, while they await a caring companion or family,” said Catharine Reed, vice president of charitable programs for the Berger Foundation.
For more information about Living Free, visit living-free.org or call (951) 659-4687.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Register for Martha's 5K, audition for Palm Springs Opera Guild
