Desert Charities News - Oct-Nov-Dec 2024

W OMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 2 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS KATE ANDERSON One of the most important gifts we can give to children growing up here is access to higher educational opportunities. That’s why I’m so proud to co-chair the planning team that creates the FREE annual Regional College and Career Fair each October. This eort brings together incredible partners including the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, OneFuture Coachella Valley, Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, Coachella Valley Unified School District, school foundations, Desert Christian Academy, Xavier College Prep, Palm Valley School, Desert Chapel, California State University San Bernardino - Palm Desert, College of the Desert and University of California Riverside - Palm Desert and more. This regional college and career fair is important because students and families have the opportunity to learn about the college admission process, financial aid requirements, course oerings, and important information about the college selection process – all on one night and in one place. We are changing the mindset in the Coachella Valley. By supporting the cradle to college to career way of thinking, K-12 education, higher education, and ultimately the work force are one full continuum. Through this eort, we are building for the future, and our community wins in the long run. College graduates tend to be more involved in the community, more likely to donate to charities, join community organizations and participate in activities with their own children. This philanthropic eort is truly a labor of love for everyone involved. Kate Anderson Director of Public Relations Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 5401 Dinah Shore Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 Direct(760) 699-6925 Cell (760) 574-9018 kanderson@aguacaliente-nsn.gov www.aguacaliente-nsn.gov SPOTLIGHT YVONNE BELL McCallum Theatre Senior Vice President of Development Making A Dierence Having served at the McCallum Theatre for over three years now, I have come to deeply understand the special place this organization holds in the hearts and lives of people throughout the Coachella Valley. To attend the Theatre is an extraordinary experience and the performers on stage not only entertain us, they transport us to magnificent heights, reminding us through art of our shared humanity. And, as we share the gift of the performing arts with thousands of Valley school children each year, we are ensuring the arts remain relevant and impactful for future generations. PAM BIERI Pam Bieri Marketing & Media Relations Owner Making A Dierence Certified in Nonprofit Management and Grant Writing, Pamela has the privilege to provide grant writing services for several of the Coachella Valley’s most interesting and diverse nonprofits. Among clients are wonderful organizations that o¡er opportunities for kids that build character through the game of golf; another that provides outdoor education for youngsters, teaching them about our unique desert and mountains; and one that has long provided adaptive mobility equipment, social inclusion to kids with disabilities along with many other family resources. It is an honor to be part of such incredible work. LINDI BIGGI Shadow Mountain Golf Club Owner Making A Dierence Lindi is the Founder of Loving All Animals and has made waves recently in addressing the shelter overcrowding crisis and euthanasia of adoptable companion animals. The funds she’s raised contribute solely to providing free spay and neuter services to those in need and her recent e¡orts have gained the attention of the public, government o¨cials and news outlets. Lindi’s sole focus is to once again become a “No-Kill Coachella Valley.” These e¡orts come shortly after a year of renovations to return Palm Desert’s first golf course, Shadow Mountain Golf Club, back to its original splendor. DENISE RODRIGUEZ BOWMAN Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Director of Forensic Services & Victim Advocacy Making A Dierence As a trainer, consultant and expert witness in child abuse, exploitation and human tra¨cking, I have committed to the Barbara Sinatra Center building capacity within a child advocacy model for Eastern Riverside County. I have conducted over 10,000 forensic interviews for child abuse and human tra¨cking as well as trained thousands of professionals on these topics. I co-lead the Coalition to End Human Tra¨cking and the victim service provider side of the Riverside County Anti-Human Tra¨cking Task Force. I serve on the Board of Nickerson-Rossi Dance, a professional dance company providing dance opportunities for youth. ROXANNA BREITIGAN The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Chief Operating Officer Making A Dierence Throughout my career, I have had the incredible privilege of making a di¡erence in the lives of endangered species and the people who care for them. At The Living Desert, I’m inspired by the amazing animals and the passionate sta¡ committed to our zoo and gardens. As the COO, leading this team motivates me to do better every day through strong and kind leadership. Mentoring and guiding the next generation, while nurturing their confidence and leadership abilities, fills me with hope for the future of deserts around the world. GAILYA BROWN Fundraising Solutions Consultant Making A Dierence During the past year, I have focused on two long-term clients – Dezart Performs and College of the Desert Foundation. Though they are vastly di¡erent in size and need, they each enrich the community by providing education, creative and practical expression, human connection and personal enrichment. It has been my pleasure to get to know the sta¡s, the donors and those who benefit from the donors’ generosity. The arts and education transform lives, uplift the spirit, strengthen communities and help us to imagine a better, more compassionate world.