Springs Woman fosters friendships while raising critical funds for health care

Madeline Zuckerman
·3 min read

Close to 100 elegantly attired women and a handful of handsome gents gathered Nov. 17 at The Springs Woman's welcome back luncheon, celebrating the ninth season of the fundraising and social club founded by members of The Springs Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

Kicking off the first of six luncheons, this soiree featured two speakers, Dennis Mori, communications director of The Springs Country Club, and Rosa Lucas, founding board member and board-certified family nurse practitioner of Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (CVVIM).

Mori presented an informative chronological history of how The Springs Country Club has evolved over the past 47 years — from when Edwin Johnson, a successful land developer, purchased the 385 acres with just a handshake to how the City of Rancho Mirage was formed on the exact same day The Springs submitted its plans for development on July 11, 1973.

The luncheon's speakers were Dennis Mori, communications director of The Springs Country Club, and Rosa Lucas, founding board member and family nurse practitioner of Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine.
The luncheon's speakers were Dennis Mori, communications director of The Springs Country Club, and Rosa Lucas, founding board member and family nurse practitioner of Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine.

Mori shared nostalgic photos of famous celebrities and VIPs who frequented and/or owned residences at The Springs, in addition to photos of some of the fun and elegant events the club has hosted over the years.

Following lunch, Lucas provided a glimpse into CVVIM’s homeless medical outreach program, often referred to as the Street Medicine Program, which provides medical care to the homeless and underserved who have no health insurance.

With six successful years under its belt, the Street Medicine Program happens Tuesday evenings, encompassing teams of volunteers, including a physician or nurse practitioner, a medical resident, a psychologist, social workers as well as other volunteers who reach out to the homeless in our desert to provide no-cost health care. The program handles primary prevention, diagnosis and treatment and has even performed some minor surgeries out in the desert.

“We are delighted that so many of our Springs Woman members joined us for this season’s opening luncheon,” said Mary Hockin, the organization's president. “And we are very proud of the fact that since its inception, The Springs Woman has been the single largest outside fundraising group for Coachella Valley Volunteers In Medicine, which now has two clinics in Indio and Palm Springs. The Springs Woman has supported Volunteers in Medicine since 2014, raising in excess of $150,000 for this vital nonprofit within our community. We look forward to continuing our support through this luncheon series in addition to our annual Jeans & Jewels Country Western Gala on Feb. 25, 2023.”

Seen in the crowd were Barbara Garakian, Joan Lynch, Frank and Mary Ann Xavier, Sharon Heiser, Tom Hockin, Judie Johnson, Ellen Schaller, Margaret Viland, Louise Babagian, Laura Conti, Sheri Dickson, Cindy Davis, Joan Dodge, Fran Muir, Leslee Effler, Judy Friednash, Joseph and Imelda Gregov, Judy Holt, Carole Krechman, Joan-Luther Young, Sue Mannos, Deborah Mayer, Marion Miller, Cathy Muldoon, Norma Person, Karol Pozzebon, Anne Roberson, Judith Schliessmann, Bev Wolvek and Jacqueline Zimowski.

Cheryl Rosenberg, Beverly Bell and Susan Reich are photographed at The Springs Woman's welcome back luncheon on Nov. 17, 2022.
Cheryl Rosenberg, Beverly Bell and Susan Reich are photographed at The Springs Woman's welcome back luncheon on Nov. 17, 2022.

History

The Springs Woman was the brainchild of Judie Johnson, who had a dream that she turned into reality, which has helped more than 40,000 uninsured or under-insured residents of the Coachella Valley receive needed health care through CVVIM.

The Springs Woman will host five additional luncheons as part of their luncheon series. The dates are Dec. 15; Jan. 19, 2023; Feb. 16, 2023; March 16, 2023; and April 20, 2023.

For more information, call (760) 324-8292 or visit thespringsrm.com.

Madeline Zuckerman is owner and president of M. Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations Inc., a strategic marketing, branding, public relations and special events firm with offices in Rancho Mirage and Newport Beach, California. Her clients have included South Coast Plaza, Pacific Symphony and Tiffany & Co. in Orange County and Desert Arc, Olive Crest and Mama's House here in the desert. She is a Founder of McCallum Theatre and has been a guest reporter with The Desert Sun for the past 14 years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Springs Woman raises critical funds for health care