Desert Charities News - Men in Philanthropy - Jan-Feb-Mar 2024

Dencil White Desert Winds Freedom Band Past President Making A Difference Dencil joined the Desert Winds Freedom Band, a non-profit charitable organization, as a performing member and as its Secretary in 2011. He held this position for six years and then was elected as the Band’s President for six years. In that time, Dencil achieved growth in membership to over 100 musicians. In addition, he built up community awareness and concert attendance. Dencil helped place the Band on a sound financial footing during the last twelve years. Recently, Dencil was appointed to the Board of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts based in Southern California. Webb Weiman My Jump Executive Director Making A Difference Whether it’s taking our Veterans on a cattle drive in Tennessee or stomping grapes in Temecula, My Jump! has made a difference over the past 12 years by fulling bucket list wishes for low-income seniors, Veterans and those living in isolation across the country. We have witnessed the power of making dreams come true, especially when a participant is able to move from the darkness to the light. The most recent event included 11 participants from 4 different senior centers here in the CV to participate in a thrill of a lifetime at the BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal, CA. Tom Tragesser Food Now Director of Operations Making A Difference Food Now is a community food pantry located at 14080 Palm Drive, Suite E, Desert Hot Springs, CA. We have been serving the needs of Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and the surrounding areas since 1989. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for residents in Western Coachella Valley by providing food assistance, community outreach and support services which strengthen families and build healthy communities. Our vision is that by serving our clients with dignity and respect, Food Now strives to end hunger, reduce poverty, and improve overall health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. Mike Thompson LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert Chief Executive Officer Making A Difference You can go home again. And, seeing it all with new eyes, be more inspired than ever. Returning to Palm Springs this past summer and stepping back into my role at The Center has been no less than a dream come true. I, alongside our dedicated Board of Directors and amazingly talented staff, am energized and committed anew to The Center’s mission of creating vibrant community by helping LGBTQ people along their way. Whether it be food insecurity, behavioral health support, social connections, or the multitude of resources needed by members of our community, The Center is your connection point. John K. Sprogis United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire President/CEO Making A Difference Drawing from personal experiences with a sister who has Down Syndrome and as a parent of a son with Cerebral Palsy, I understand the potential for a life without limits. At UCP of the Inland Empire we have a dedicated team that has been delivering programs to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of individuals with disabilities. The programs that we have include In-home respite care, Skill Builders Programs, Family Empowerment programs, and Custom Adaptive Bikes. It definately takes a village to advance the needs of those with special needs. Mike Singer CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Public Affairs / Communication Specialist Making A Difference The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is committed to making a difference in the lives of students, their families and members of our community. The work I do at PDC affords me the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community. PDC transforms lives and I know that the education our students receive will open up many doors for them after they graduate. I am proud to be a part of PDC’s success, and I look forward to the future as the campus continues to grow. Bill Seals Olive Crest Associate Development Director Making A Difference In 2012, I joined Olive Crest as a volunteer due to my deep commitment to aiding children and families in need. Over the past decade, this commitment has evolved into a heartfelt burden to raise awareness and do everything possible to prevent child abuse, empower and instill hope in disadvantaged youth, and ensure the support needed to keep struggling families from falling apart when crisis ensues. This mission became my full-time occupation with Olive Crest in 2022, and it’s a privilege to represent this organization in introducing our new campus of prevention, treatment and hope; The Coachella Valley Children and Family Resource Center. Scott Wolf Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Development DIrector Making A Difference Every day I see people who are in different stages of rebuilding their lives, having been broken, shattered, needing help when they have been at their most vulnerable. To be a part of the process that assists them in achieving victories, both private and public is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my professional life. It is a privilege to be part of a team that saves lives one life at a time. M en in philanthropy - PAGE 9 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS