The United Way of the Desert has set a fundraising goal of $1.5 million for 2014-15 following an announcement at its Recognition & Kick Off Luncheon at the Omni Rancho Mirage Resort & Spa on Sept. 12.
Speakers included William Houck, United Way of the Desert board president; Kristal Granados, executive director; secretary Lynne Stephenson; and 2014-15 campaign chair Mike Wales.
Bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards were presented to leading businesses and non-profits throughout the Coachella Valley whose fundraising teams contributed to the United Way of the Desert.
The most prestigious awards were given to Rancho Mirage, City Silver Cup; Coachella Valley Unified School District, Educators Award; Desert Water Agency, Water Challenge; Gary Dack, Lund & Guttry LLP, The Steve Robbins Award; Klein and Clark Sports and KMIR/KPSE, Community Support Award; and The Desert Sun, The President’s Award.
The mission of the United Way of the Desert is to break the cycle of poverty in the Coachella Valley through mobilizing the caring power of the community.
Bill Houck with Linda Long from Lamar Advertising, which received a Platinum Award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck with Letty Gallegos-Gallardo from the City of Rancho Mirage, which won the Silver Cup award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Celeste Reid and Indio Mayor Michael Wilson.
Photo by Pat Krause
Dr. Gary Rutherford
Photo by Pat Krause
(From left) Sheila Kiner, Steven Henke, and Scott Kiner.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck presented Tina Gatlin and Dr. Darryl Adams with the Educators Award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck present Celeste Reid with the Steve Robbins Award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Greg Klein (left) and Brenda Clark (right) received the Community Support Award from Bill Houck.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck with Craig Marrs of KMIR.
Photo by Pat Krause
(From left) Paula Wharton, Marylou Young and Eevet Edens.
Photo by Pat Krause
(From left) Dr. Darryl Adams, John Benoit, Jeff Hocker, Carl Karcher and Scott Kiner.
Photo by Pat Krause
Jim Palmer, Natalie Russo, and Mitch Blumberg.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck with Katie Ruark from the Desert Water Agency, which received the Water Challenge Award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Lynne Stephenson and Mark Winkler, Desert Sun's President Award.
Photo by Pat Krause
Carl Karcher, Scott Kiner, and Craig Marrs.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill House and Carl Karcher.
Photo by Pat Krause
Brian Nestande and Jan Harnik.
Photo by Pat Krause
Bill Houck with Palm Desert Mayor Van Tanner.
Photo by Pat Krause
(From left) Mark Winkler, Betty Francis, Lynne Stephenson and Steven Henke.
