Desert Charities News - Oct-Nov-Dec 2024

W OMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 9 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS MICKI GREENSPAN Micki epitomizes the model for philanthropic volunteers. She has volunteered in several capacities at Temple Sinai for an excess of 20 years. She is currently serving on the board of directors as recording secretary and ambassador. Hers is the face that greets you when you come to services every Friday night. She welcomes you and directs you to a seat in the Sanctuary. She also volunteers in the oce on Wednesday mornings. She answers phones, assists with administrative tasks, and greets visitors. Additionally, she volunteers in the ICU at Eisenhower and is an infant cuddler (tasks she looks forward to with great anticipation). She also works for Desert Cancer, helping to organize the walk on El Paseo every year. Her service to Temple Sinai has helped make our recent growth possible. She also volunteers for many of the events we have each year. She helps decorate, sets tables, checks people in, and directs them to their seats. I have often heard her talk about how her mother stressed helping others while Micki was growing up. Her mother did a great job; she helps others every day. Her brand ofphilanthropy is exceptional. Temple Sinai owes her an immense debt that we can never fully repay. Micki serves on the committee to develop the celebration of Temple Sinai’s 50 years of serving the Jews of the Coachella Valley. Micki Greenspan Recording Secretary and Ambassador Temple Sinai of Palm Desert 73251 Hovley Lane West Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 568-9699 thedesertbabe@aol.com www.templesinaipd.org SPOTLIGHT ALICE KROLL Riverside County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Certi¿eG /Rng 7erP Care OPEuGVPan Making A Di›erence Society often views its members “in a home” as diminished or less valuable. But as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocating for them, I get to hear their stories. They were major league athletes, World War II combat veterans, revered matriarchs of large families, successful businessmen…our everyday friends and neighbors…and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, especially when they can no longer speak up for themselves. By advocating for their rights, rights spelled out in state and federal regulations, we work to make sure that happens. LAURI KIBBY Selene Brighthouse 0anaging 3artner Making A Di›erence I am in service to those organizations that serve our communities -whether they provide healthcare or access to education or the arts they all serve a vital function which impacts and improves the overall health and wellbeing of our community. Whether volunteering, serving on a board, or making a financial contribution my goal is always to support the organizations desire to make a meaningful impact. NIKI KOTTMANN NAMI Coachella Valley %RarG 6ecretar\ Making A Di›erence When my mom quit her job to help my broth- er because his obsessive-compulsive disorder had gotten so bad he couldn’t leave the house, there was one nonprofit she turned to: the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Ever since, one of my biggest passions has been working with NAMI to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and connect people with these conditions — and their loved ones — with the support they need. I get to pursue that passion every day with the dedicated volunteers of NAMI Coachella Valley, and I’m honored to work alongside them. BECKY KURTZ Desert Town Hall Executive 'irectRr Making A Di›erence We strive to make a diŒerence in our community with Desert Town Hall, a premier speaker series that brings leaders from the world stage to our stage in Indian Wells. Becky feels a special responsibility to future generations and has found a creative outlet for that passion through her work at Desert Town Hall. “Youth Town Hall is one of the best parts of Desert Town Hall, where high school students meet with speakers before the evening’s main event,” she said. “We invite area high schools (from Desert Hot Springs to the Salton Sea) who choose students to send to each of the events. “I’m blessed to do what I love every day, live in a beautiful community, stay engaged at the local level, and reach out to connect renowned leaders with the citizens of the Coachella Valley. Who can ask for more?” DR. JENNA LECOMTE-HINELY HARC, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Making A Di›erence HARC, Inc. is a nonprofit that advances quality of life by helping community leaders use objective research and analysis to turn data into action. HARC is perhaps best known for conducting the Coachella Valley Community Health Survey every three years and providing that data back to the community at no charge. But HARC also makes a diŒerence by providing research, evaluation, and data consulting services to dozens of local nonprofits, healthcare agencies, and government agencies. Under Dr. LeComte-Hinely’s leadership, HARC continues to grow, thrive, and make a diŒerence in the Coachella Valley and beyond. KELLY LEVY BIGHORN Golf Club Charities CharitieV 'irectRr Making A Di›erence BIGHORN Golf Club Charities is dedicated to making a significant impact throughout the Coachella Valley. It provides critical funding to support those aŒected by cancer and assists local nonprofit organizations in identifying projects and acquiring equipment, while also awarding educational scholarships. This support is made possible thanks to the incredible membership. My experience with BIGHORN has been incredibly fulfilling. Being part of this committed community of givers results in a heartfelt feeling. I am grateful to witness the transformation of the valley through acts of kindness and the generosity of its people. This is what “Making a DiŒerence”; is all about!!