Inaugural Women of Wonder Luncheon honors 5 locals, benefits Variety

Carole Stephen-Smith
·2 min read
Variety's Executive Director Heidi Maldoon and Outreach Coordinator Annika Renteria greet guests at the Women of Wonder Luncheon at The Classic Club on April 29, 2022.
Variety's Executive Director Heidi Maldoon and Outreach Coordinator Annika Renteria greet guests at the Women of Wonder Luncheon at The Classic Club on April 29, 2022.

The inaugural Women of Wonder Luncheon, benefiting Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert, took place at the Classic Club April 29. A delicious meal was served as guests watched on screens around the room the numerous talents and achievements of five local women who were being recognized and celebrated for making a difference in the lives of Coachella Valley children, especially children with special needs.

Sadly, Variety's Kara Robinson, board member and event chair, was unable to attend due to a family loss; after all of her hard work putting together the luncheon, she was honored by her friend Heidi Maldoon, the organization's executive director.

Formed in the Coachella Valley in 1987, Variety is dedicated to promoting the health, mobility, independence and inclusion of special needs and disadvantaged local children.

The organization is a chapter of Variety - the Children's Charity, an international charity with more than 40 chapters around the world. Formed in 1928 in Pittsburgh by a group of show businessmen to help children in need, Variety is one of the oldest and most comprehensive children's charities in the world.

The honorees of this first Women of Wonder Luncheon were Beth Aune, Tamara Canedo, Elizabeth Grant, Yahira Regla-Cuevas, Kajsa Thuresson-Frary. These remarkable women are involved in many diverse aspects of helping children while also raising families and giving back to many charities.

Attendees listen to emcee Patrick Evans at the Women of Wonder Luncheon at The Classic Club on April 29, 2022.
Attendees listen to emcee Patrick Evans at the Women of Wonder Luncheon at The Classic Club on April 29, 2022.

The event's emcee was Variety board member Patrick Evans, whose passion for giving back is legendary.

Special thanks go to Blue Ribbon committee members Robinson, Julie Frazier, Barbara Klein, Linda Rider, MaryBeth Somers, Brianna Uhlhorn and Maldoon. These ladies, who are not looking for applause, were instrumental in putting together this beautiful event which was attended by so many people from both the public and different charitable organizations around the valley.

Event sponsors included Rider, Frazier Pest Control, Seiden Kai, McCallum Theatre, Inland Empire Community Foundation, Kara and Scott Robinson, Elizabeth and Greg Grant, Barbara and Larry Klein and KESQ News Channel 3.

For more information on Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert or to volunteer, call (760) 773-9800 or email variety@varietyofthedesert.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: Inaugural Women of Wonder Luncheon honors 5 locals, benefits Variety