Actress & Entrepreneur Avid Supporter of this Organization
Olive Crest is mourning the loss of friend and ardent supporter Denise DuBarry Hay. Ms. DuBarry Hay passed away recently from a sudden illness. “This dynamic woman played a significant role in the life of Olive Crest in the Desert Communities,” said Olive Crest Chief Executive Officer Donald Verleur. “We are beyond sad that she is gone.”
DuBarry Hay was a member of the board of trustees of Olive Crest in the Desert Communities area from 2006 to 2016. She helped energize the organization’s capital campaign there. Her passionate participation got results: four homes got built in the Coachella Valley to provide safe and loving homes for at-risk children. She and her husband, Bill Hay, personally donated for the construction of one of the homes. She created “Club 100,” designed to provide on-going financial support for Olive Crest.
She was an enthusiastic supporter of the way Olive Crest helps children. Always the tireless fundraiser, she frequently hosted gatherings at her home to raise money to continue our work. She contributed proceeds from the screening of her latest film, “Do It or Die” to benefit local Olive Crest children.
To honor Denise’s passion for ending child abuse and her fervent support for Olive Crest’s work with at-risk families, one of the Coachella homes is named in her honor and has provided thousands of ‘safe days’ since its opening.
“Denise DuBarry Hay and Bill Hay represent the best of the Coachella Valley,” said Verleur. “Over the years we have seen their devotion grow. They genuinely cared about the deep needs of children in grim situations. This kind and generous woman had a significant impact on the work we do. We are a better organization because of her friendship and support.
“Denise was more than a long-term supporter and trustee of Olive Crest of the Coachella Valley,” said Dr. James Brinton, Founder and President of the Olive Crest Desert Trustees. “She was tireless in her contributions to Olive Crest. She brought both steadfast energy and incredible creativity to promote and sustain Olive Crest’s mission. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten by her Olive Crest colleagues. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bill and her entire family.”
About Olive Crest
Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of more than 100,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. The organization works tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents.
Olive Crest’s many innovative programs reflect a conviction that strengthening the family is the most powerful way to help heal children. With unwavering compassion, the Olive Crest family maintains a lifelong commitment to the youth and the families it serves even after they have graduated from the organization’s programs.
Olive Crest serves over 4,000 children and families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. For information, call 800-550-CHILD (2445) or 425-462-1612 or visit www.olivecrest.org.
