Have some free time? These Palm Springs area nonprofits need volunteers
Here’s our latest roundup of Coachella Valley nonprofits that are seeking volunteers (as of July 2024).
After 30 years of producing entertainment fundraisers in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF) expanded its programing in 2022 to the Palm Springs area to create events that benefit Coachella Valley nonprofits.
REAF was founded by life-long friends Barbara Richmond and Peggy Ermet, both of whom lost their only sons to AIDS. The first event they held was an AIDS benefit, which featured some of San Francisco’s most prominent entertainers.
According to Ken Henderson, REAF’s executive director and CEO, the organization’s initial mission was to raise money strictly for HIV and AIDS causes. “And then about 2015, when sponsorship money was getting so hard, we expanded our focus, so we raised money for HIV programs, hunger programs and programs that support homeless youth and underserved seniors.”
Henderson says the nonprofit also provides small emergency grants to people who are facing short-term crisis situations, such as unexpected medical bills or the inability to pay one’s rent for a month for whatever reason. “We just help them try to get over that hump, so they can get on with their lives.”
On Nov. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m., REAF-PS will hold a Palm Springs Pride Party: We Are Family 2 to benefit local organizations The L-Fund and FIND Food Bank. The event will be hosted by Tom Ray in his Parc Andreas home in South Palm Springs.
The entertainment program will be emceed by San Francisco drag icon Donna Sachet and will feature the talents of Broadway star David Burnham, recording artist Gregory Douglas, comedian Jason Stuart and musical theater star Kim Schroeder Long.
In addition to the entertainment, admission will include an open bar, appetizers provided by FIND Food Bank, a silent auction, raffle and other surprises.
About FIND Food Bank
The desert’s regional food bank serves eastern Riverside and southern San Bernardino counties in Southeastern California. Th organization feeds an average of 125,000 people each month through a network of 150 distribution sites and more than 80 community-based partners. FIND (food in need of distribution) is recognized as the regional emergency disaster response food bank by the state and county as the first line of defense against hunger.
About The L-Fund
Since 2012, The L-Fund has provided emergency financial assistance to cisgender, transgender and queer-identifying lesbians in crisis across the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Wanting to help beyond emergencies, REAF grants have expanded to include education assistance, health and wellness aid and grants for lesbian artists.
Henderson explains the choice of beneficiaries for this event: “Primarily what we’ve been trying to do is support agencies that aren’t super well-funded already. The L-Fund’s a good example of a small agency that has a lot more trouble getting funding and keeping the programs going. The food bank is bigger, obviously, but they partner really well with us as they provide food through all the food banks and distribution services all over Coachella Valley.”
Event sponsors include Delta Dental, Outbound, Jim Neuman, Andy Warren, Susan Munday, Ketel One Vodka, Bulleit Bourbon, Steven Montes Special Events & Catering, Constellation Brands, KGAY, Gay Desert Guide, Roadrunner Print and Ship and Gloss Magazine.
To purchase tickets for Palm Springs Pride Party: We Are Family 2, visit events.humanitix.com/reafprideparty2024. To learn more about REAF or to make a donation, visit reaf.org.
As philanthropy editor at The Desert Sun, Winston Gieseke writes about nonprofits, fundraising and locals who give back, like his beloved rescue dog Ernie Banks, who volunteers at the local cancer center. Reach him at [email protected].
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