The House of Galanos provided an elegant backdrop for a private cocktail reception that honored the nominees and honorees in preparation for the 10th annual National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon.
Over 100 guests wandered through the weekend home previously owned by James Galanos, America’s most celebrated and committed Couture designer. Galanos has been celebrated for bringing the simplicity of California to the couture runway.
It is this same philosophy of quality and commitment that goes into each project led by the 26 fundraising professionals, volunteers, and donors that were introduced by Louise Cummings, a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Calif., Desert Communities Chapter (AFP) and National Philanthropy Day Awards Committee chairman. “The nominees and honorees embody the word Philanthropy, defined from its Greek roots as love of humankind,” she said.
The AFP Awards committee received 74 nominations and chose 47 names.
Six final honorees were selected from a “blue ribbon committee” of community leaders and will be cited at AFP’s November National Philanthropy Day luncheon. They include:
• Harry and Diane Rinker — Outstanding Philanthropists
• Jewish Federation of the Desert — Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation
• BIGHORN Golf Club Charities — Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation
• Sara G. Clapp — Outstanding Fundraising Professional
• Sandra Cooper Woodson — Outstanding Fundraiser Volunteer
• Christy Porter of Hidden Harvest — Outstanding Founder of a Coachella Valley Nonprofit.
Mark Anton and Scott Histed were the hosts for the event. Guests were served champagne and hors d’oeuvres by Trio Palm Springs as they wandered through most of the newly renovated home. In the true spirit of Galanos, the guests were serenaded by a pianist in formal attire sitting at the imposing grand piano in the minimally designed but elegantly decorated living room overlooking the pool and tropical gardens where he would begin each day while in the desert.
Association of Fundraising Professionals
P.O Box 2213
Palm Desert, CA 92261
760-449-1971
www.afpcadesert.afpnet.org/index.cfm
Photography By: Gregg Felsen
