. WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 6 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS KARIN JAFFIE Friends of the Desert Mountains Marketing and Development Associate Making A Dierence A life-long career of supporting non-profits with my storytelling skills satisfies my desire to manifest the good I want to see in the world. As the Marketing and Development Associate for Friends of the Desert Mountains, it’s easy to believe in the product I promote: connecting people to the land. Coachella Valley residents often take for granted concepts like clean water, access to nature, and the need for biodiversity. I enjoy sharing with newcomers, old-timers, and the occasional busload of 3rd graders that our desert is a living organism deserving of our care and protection. KRISTINA HOFFMAN Palm Springs Writers Guild President Making A Dierence Kristina Homan joined the Palm Springs Writers Guild (PSWG) in 2019 and has since held several Board positions, most recently, President. She’s proud of expanding the Guild’s scholarships awarded to local college bound students as well as supporting Indio High’s Poetry Slam and Pride on the Page. Her tenure has seen the enhancement of PSWG’s support of writers in the Coachella Valley through critique groups, Write Nites, screenings/readings at the PS Cultural Center and collaborating with Rancho Mirage Library on the PSWG Book Festival of 40 local authors for book signings, readings and panel discussions. ANNE GREY Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire President & CEO Making A Dierence Anne Grey, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County & Inland Empire is creating a legacy in Coachella Valley ensuring that wish-granting thrives in our desert. As a Rancho Mirage resident and accomplished nonprofit leader, Anne is committed to bringing hope, strength, and joy to children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish is expanding its presence in the desert, launching the Trailblaze Challenge in Joshua Tree and revitalizing Women’s Circle of Wishes, a dynamic group of local changemakers. Thanks to the unwavering support of local wish granting volunteers and donors, the magic of Make-A-Wish continues in Coachella Valley. JULIE HALE Operation SafeHouse/ SafeHouse of the Desert Fund Development Director Making A Dierence I have proudly served as the Fund Development Director for Operation SafeHouse for the past 23 years, playing a key role in developing and expanding vital programs for homeless youth, including SafeHouse of the Desert, the Harrison House Transitional Living Program, and the Anti-Human Tracking Program. As SafeHouse celebrates 35 years in Riverside County and 15 years in the Coachella Valley, I am honored to be part of a mission that brings hope, stability, and opportunity to vulnerable youth and families, helping them build brighter, more secure futures. ANDREA HECHT Tools For Tomorrow Executive Director Making A Dierence The arts have the power to transform children’s lives. Our Creative Club blends visual art, music, creative writing, and theatre to support self-expression, social-emotional growth, and innovative thinking. Students build confidence as they create original works and explore diverse cultures, artists, and ideas. The TFT Theatre Troupe provides performing arts experiences, public speaking, collaboration, and creativity in a safe space. Our hands-on approach emphasizes process over perfection, helping children feel successful. By engaging with the arts, children develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. TAMARA HEDGES Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies Board of Directors Immediate Past Chair Making A Dierence Serving on the Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies board allows me to use my skills to help provide lifesaving services to thousands of companion animals in the Coachella Valley. In addition to operating the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, this year we opened our doors even wider to help orphaned, injured and ill wildlife at the new Desert Wildlife Center in Indio. We also launched the Desert Community Animal Center in Desert Hot Springs to provide accessible veterinary care in our region. I am inspired by the power of joyful collaboration to create positive change for animals and the people who love them. SPOTLIGHT PAM WEEKLEY Imagining herself a mini-Dr. Doolittle and especially drawn toward ill or lonely animals, a young girl named Pam set foot on a trail to philanthropy. She just didn’t know it yet. Today, with 40-plus years’ experience in accounting, finance and taxation, Pam Weekley is licensed to practice by the lions, tigers and bears of the IRS. But at day’s end, she revels in being greeted by her two adopted Jack Russell mixes. After all, whatever frustrations a pressure-filled day of tabulating figures and reviewing regulations may have held, playing fetch (over and over and over again!) with her four- footed charges defines work-life balance. Coachella-based Loving All Animals is one of many nonprofits benefitting by Pam’s desire to make a dierence. In fact, she “walked the talk” by adopting her canine companions from the organization. Moreover, she lends her financial expertise to Loving All Animals as its treasurer, consulting with fellow board members to ensure prudent planning and eective advocacy. She also supports Konnections Certification, which – in a text and Facetime world – enables young adults to obtain person-to-person networking skills. (Face to face! Eye contact!) Don’t worry, subjects are not thrown to the wolves; rather, are given business cards and critical talking points to engage those at networking events. Pam doesn’t provide her business cards to be distributed; rather, cards that represent Parkinson’s Resource Organization, Coachella Valley Horse Rescue, Loving All Animals, and Dezart Performs. As a tribute to her mother who passed this year, Pam also advocates for organizations seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Her philosophy? “The more you give, the more you get.” Pam Weekley Pam Weekley, MBA, EA Pam Weekley & Associates (760) 625-5549 pam.weekley@gmail.com Pwtaxandaccounting.com
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