The Association of Fundraising Professionals CA, Desert Communities Chapter, announced the six distinguished honorees for their upcoming 13th Annual National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert Awards Luncheon at a sold-out luncheon at Desert Willow Golf Resort. The annual and highly-anticipated 2019 National Philanthropy Day® In The Desert will take place on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the Hyatt Hotel in Indian Wells. Harold Matzner, notable Coachella Valley philanthropist and owner of Spencer’s Restaurant, will be returning for his 7th consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor and Honorary Chair of National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert. KESQ TV’s Patrick Evans will serve as Emcee once again for this year’s Awards Luncheon.
“The Coachella Valley is filled with remarkable philanthropists, making profound differences in the lives of many people,” stated Brian Daly, Event Chair of National Philanthropy Day® In The Desert 2019. “I personally invite you to join the celebration of this year’s honorees at the beautiful Hyatt Hotel in Indian Wells on Friday, November 8, 2019. We are proud
to offer this larger venue to support our increasing attendance of this community-wide philanthropic event,” Daly continued.
Founded in 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations which generates philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions, advancing philanthropy forward through its 31,600 members in 243 chapters throughout the world. AFP works to foster philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and professional certification programs, while promoting high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. The AFP Desert Communities Chapter currently boasts a membership of more than 100 fundraising professionals within the Coachella Valley.
Celebrating its 59th year, National Philanthropy Day® is a special day set aside for the purpose of recognizing the great contribution philanthropy makes to our society, and to honor individuals, businesses, and support organizations that are active in the philanthropic community. Here in the Coachella Valley, it is a day when we pay tribute to our own – the exemplary local philanthropists, businesses, and organizations who give so generously of their time, talents, skills, and financial support, making our community a much better place for us all.
The Desert Communities Chapter of AFP believes that philanthropy benefits not only our own communities, but enriches and empowers the global community. National Philanthropy Day® offers an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of charitable giving and the spirit that makes such generosity possible.
“ National Philanthropy Day® In The Desert is revered as the premier celebration of Coachella Valley’s philanthropic community, stated Judi Olivas, President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals CA, Desert Communities Chapter. “This year’s outstanding honorees exemplify the passionate spirit of the daily contributions made by individuals, corporations, foundations and volunteers. We look forward to National Philanthropy Day 2019, an inspirational celebration to honor those who truly make a difference,” Olivas continued.
This year’s distinguished Honorees include:
OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPISTS – JAMES AND CAROL EGAN
OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER – SALLY BERGER
OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION, CORPORATION OR/CIVIC SERVICE ORGANIZATION – REGIONAL ACCESS PROJECT FOUNDATION
OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT FOUNDER – JO ROSEN, PARKINSON’S RESOURCE ORGANIZATION
OUTSTANDING YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY – BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PALM SPRINGS – KEYSTONE CLUB MEMBERS
OUTSTANDING FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONAL – JUDI OLIVAS
“Our Committee has realized that the caliber of nominations from the community gets stronger and stronger every year,” stated Judy Vossler, Blue Ribbon Award Selection Committee Chair. “This year is no exception, with many deserving individuals, companies, and foundations being recognized for their generous philanthropic support of the over 800 nonprofit organizations within our Valley,” she continued. The Blue Ribbon Committee for 2019 National Philanthropy Day® In The Desert includes Mark Anton, Walter Clark, Jill Golden, Gary Hall, Susie Harvey, Terri Ketover, Kelly Levy, and Sandy Woodson.
The NPD Awards Committee, Co-chaired by Angela Allen and Gailya Brown, includes Mitch Blumberg, Matthew Campos, Matt Durkan, Bob McKechnie, Eileen Packer, Scott Robinson, and Renee Sabol. Members of the Gold Ribbon Committee includesTerri Bona, Sarah Clapp, Louise Cummings, Tim Evans, Jan Hawkins, Paula Kennedy, and Scott Schroeder.
“We have the good fortune to be living in not only one of the most beautiful and climate-friendly communities in America, but also in one of the most generous,” stated Harold Matzner, Presenting Sponsor and Honorary Chair of National Philanthropy Day® In The Desert. “ I count it a great honor to be part of National Philanthropy Day’s awards, and to be able to congratulate all of the recipients,” he continued.
Leading Underwriters for this year’s National Philanthropy Day® in the Desert include Honorary Chair and Presenting Sponsor Harold Matzner, along with Award Sponsors Wells Fargo and the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, who have been mainstays of this event throughout the years.
Luncheon Sponsors thus far include Bank of America, College of the Desert, Peggy Cravens, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Loma Linda University Children’s Health – Indio, and Madeline Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations, Inc.
Table Sponsors to date are Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, CSUSB Palm Desert, Cathedral City Senior Center, The Community Foundation, Desert Arc, Desert Cancer Foundation, Family YMCA of the Desert, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, The Living Desert, Lotus Garden Center/Robert Walker & Ernest Phinney, Mama’s House, Merrill Lynch, Pathfinder Ranch/Fromberg Edelstein Fromberg, Read With Me, and The Unforgettables Foundation.
Media Sponsors for this year include:
PALM SPRINGS LIFE, Exclusive Magazine Media Sponsor
THE DESERT SUN and LOCALiQ , Presenting Newspaper & Digital Media Sponsor
KESQ NEWS CHANNEL 3, Exclusive TV Media Sponsor
ALPHA MEDIA – PALM SPRINGS, Exclusive Radio Media Sponsor
Individual tickets are now on sale online at $ 75 per person. No later than November 1st, individual registration will be available at the door at $ 125 per person, space permitting. Tables of ten can be purchased for $ 1,200. For registration and event information please visit www.afpcadesert.org or contact Event Chair Brian Daly at 760-469-8252 or brian.daly@redcross.org
