LIVE Magazine #257 May 2017

AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANNOUNCES 2017
‘EVENING UNDER THE STARS’ HONOREES
Contributions of Community Heroes to be Recognized at 24th Annual Gala
Food Samaritans (AAP) announced that several community
leaders will be honored at the 24th annual Evening
Under the Stars gala on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 6 p.m.
at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs. The 2017
honorees include: Dr. Timothy Jochen and Lee Erwin
(Jeannette Rockefeller Humanitarian Award), Gregg
Selleck (Gloria Greene Inspiration Award), Laurie Weitz
(Herb Lazenby Community Service Award) and Bob Pollock
(posthumously) (Joanna Jakway Community Hero
Award). The Corporate Angel Award will be given this
year to Eisenhower Medical Center. For more about this
year’s honorees, please see below.
“AAP – Food Samaritans could not fulfill our mission
without the dedication and support of the incredible
people and organizations that support us,” said Mark
Anton, CEO/Executive Director of AAP – Food Samaritans.
“Without their caring and inspirational guidance,
we would not be able to support the nutritional needs of
those low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and
other chronic illnesses in our community. We are so very
grateful for their unyielding kindness that they exhibit on
a daily basis not only for AAP, but for many other organizations
across the entire Coachella Valley.”
Evening Under the Stars gala festivities will begin with
a ‘quintessentially Palm Springs’ sunset cocktail hour
on the grounds of the O’Donnell Golf Club against a
backdrop of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, widely
regarded as one of the most festive cocktail receptions
of the season. A short awards program will recognize the
inspirational honorees, followed by a delicious dinner,
and a performance by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.
After their show, dancing will continue with DJ Jerry Bonham
on the main stage followed by an amazing fireworks
display. Tickets for the benefit, priced at $395 and $500
per person, are available for purchase and individual VIP
seats and sponsorships are also available. Congratulatory
tribute ads for the honorees in the gala program are
available until March 31. To attend or for more information,
call 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.
Eisenhower Medical Center is the Presenting Sponsor
of the event, and The Desert Sun is Presenting Media
Sponsor. Additional major sponsors include Spencer’s
Restaurant and Harold Matzner, Grace Helen Spearman
Foundation, Contour Dermatology, The Auen Foundation,
TRIO Restaurant, James R. Houston, Ameriprise Financial,
and Walgreens. Sponsorship opportunities are still
available.
The event will feature a performance by Martha Reeves
& the Vandellas, an iconic Motown group that had, in
their heyday, more than 26 hits and were a constant
presence on the music charts, as well as on television
and in top music venues across the US and abroad. Ten
of their songs reached the top ten of the Billboard R&B
singles chart, and two were R&B number one hits. Six
of their songs were Top Ten Pop Hits on the Billboard
Hot 100. They are most known for their major hits “Heat
Wave,” “Dancing In The Street,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Nowhere
To Run.” Attendees will get their groove on as this
beloved singing group electrifies the audience.
Desert Magazine recently announced that AAP – Food
Samaritans received TWO coveted awards in the 2017
Best of the Valley Reader Picks awards. AAP received
“Best Charity” and Evening Under the Stars won “Best
Fundraising Event.”
Laurie Weitz
Bob Pollock
Gregg Selleck
Dr. Timothy Jochen and Lee Erwin
ABOUT AIDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Now in its 26th year of service to the community, AIDS
Assistance Program of Palm Springs remains dedicated
to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of
the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic
illnesses. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens
led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller,
AAP provides nutritional support to members of the community
with low incomes. For more information, please
call 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.