by joel martens –
Originally founded in 1991 by Gloria Greene, Jeannette Rockefeller and a small group of concerned citizens, the AIDS Assistance Program tasked itself with the goal of helping the most at-risk, low-income members of the Greater Palm Springs community devastated by HIV/AIDS.
A testimony to the difference one person can make, Greene was motivated by the desperate need she saw after she began handing out food to those suffering, from the back door of one of her restaurants in Palm Springs. Though much has changed since those critical early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the generosity that began at Greene’s back door remains the focus, morphing today into a monthly voucher program, redeemable for food and household needs such as toiletries, hygienic products, and other personal items.
Known today as AAP Food Samaritans, this grassroots, community-based organization has also expanded its services to include people suffering from cancer, MS, heart or liver disease and other chronic illnesses. Still led by a volunteer board of directors and a small staff, the goal is to assure the largest percentage of every donated dollar goes directly to those client services and each carefully vetted client. Since its inception, AAP has distributed more than $10 million in direct client service to more than 2,300 clients throughout the Coachella Valley.
Evening Under the Stars, the organization’s signature fundraising gala, held at the O’Donnell Golf Club, features cocktails, community awards, dinner and dancing, all set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. Appearing at the 26th annual event will be ARRIVAL from Sweden, a show band featuring the music of ABBA, performed some of ABBA’s original musicians.
Honorees for 2019 include actress and multifaceted civic contributor, Ruta Lee, celebrated for her many films including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Funny Face, Witness for the Prosecution and as Frank Sinatra’s leading lady in Sergeant’s Three. For her decades-long support of AAP – Food Samaritans, Lee is receiving the Jeannette Rockefeller Humanitarian Award. “My neighbor and dear friend Mark Anton introduced me to this meaningful hands-on organization, which I have supported since my first Evening Under The Stars,” offered Lee.
Highly acclaimed also for her leadership role in The Thalians, which is committed to good mental health, from pediatric to geriatric. “For over 50 years my darling sister in charity, Debbie Reynolds and I were the ‘mother superiors’ of The Thalians, providing services through Thalians Mental Health Center,” shared Lee.
“About five years ago we changed our focus and efforts to the needs of our returning wounded veterans, teaming with UCLA’s Operation Mend. They heal the broken bodies, we heal broken minds and spirits,” she shared. “Not all of us can sing and dance to help raise needed funds, but we can all get up off our butts and volunteer to help in some way.”
Regarding the award, Lee offered this, “Having spent all my adult life in charitable work, I know what it took to have a humanitarian award honoring her commitment and service named for Jeannette. I’m thrilled and grateful beyond measure to be thought of in the same light, she said. “We here in the desert are so very blessed to live our lives in a beautiful community with loving, generous neighbors. Through AAP – Food Samaritans we can serve our own neighbors who are in need of help.”
President of Greater Palm Springs Pride since 2012, Ron deHarte is being honored with the Herb Lazenby Community Service Award, created to recognize an outstanding commitment to service within one’s community. A human rights and diversity champion, deHarte also serves as chairman of the City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, President of Safe Schools of the Desert, Co-President of the United States Association of Pride and is a member of the board of the Consolidated Association of Pride and InterPride.
He conferred what winning the award means to him, “Recognition by the AAP – Food Samaritans board came as a complete surprise. It tugs at my heart and I’m beyond grateful. Volunteerism drives a healthy and thriving community and I’ve long admired and respected previous honorees and to be included in their ranks is a big thrill,” He shared. “Being involved with a variety of community organizations is a direct way to have an impact, benefit others and create a positive change.”
Volunteering is a vital link for a healthy community and a great way to lend support and help and deHarte agrees. “I’m a believer in the value of collaboration. The best way to get involved with an organization is to volunteer for one of their events. All it takes is a simple phone call, email or online signup,” he opined. “I became aware of AAP’s work when I started volunteering with the Pride organization in 2010. They provide vital support to many, which allows them to live their lives with dignity and self-respect.”
Glenn Johnson and Michael Melancon are being honored with the Gloria Greene Inspiration Award, named for the restauranteur who began handing out food to those in need. The award celebrates Gloria’s insight, commitment and passion, illustrating the difference that one person can make in a community.
Glenn and Michael talked about what it means to be in the company of such an inspirational humanitarian. “Great movements often begin with one person’s simple inspiration, such as Gloria handing out food to those with HIV/AIDS from the back door of her restaurant, right here in Palm Springs,” offered Johnson. “That very much captures how we think about our philanthropic efforts, to carefully evaluate the many worthy causes that resonate with us here in Palm Springs and indeed worldwide,”
He continued. “Then do what we can in terms of support, whether financial, hands-on volunteering or donating our professional expertise to the organizations whose mission and its execution we believe in.”
“There are so many in our communities today who are struggling in one way or another, often times to even have the basics of food, shelter, education and health care,” Johnson articulated.
“For those more fortunate, we believe it is an important element of being good neighbors and good citizens, to lend a helping hand in whatever way makes the most sense for each of us. AAP – Food Samaritans is one organization that resonated with us, even before we moved to the desert full-time. Their mission to ensure all their clients can continue their lives with dignity and self-respect is simple but powerful.”
Evening Under The Stars takes place on Saturday, May 4 at Palm Springs’ O’Donnell Golf Club. For tickets and more info, go to aidsassistance.org/evening-under-the-stars.