Jewish Family Service hosts 'A Night in Paradise' in Palm Desert
The 21st annual Jewish Family Service patron event held Dec. 10 aptly titled "A Night in Paradise" was just that.
From the moment guests passed through the gates of the beautiful Bighorn home of Barbara Rogers and Gary Geske, they found themselves surrounded by nearly 200 people whose shared mission was to give generously to Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS).
Founded 40 years ago, JFS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that per executive director Kraig Johnson is a nonsectarian organization founded on the principle of healing the world. JFS provides no-cost counseling, case management and community outreach to help people in crisis reduce isolation. The organization also offers homeless support and bereavement counseling. Its Let’s Do Lunch! program is designed to decrease isolation and increase mental stimulation by providing seniors with free lunch and activities outside their home. The programs are designed to encourage interaction with other participants to increase socialization. JFS also does home visits and provides emergency financial assistance to those in need.
As JFS Executive Director Kraig Johnson emphasized, "We help everyone!"
The event's catering was done by Eight4Nine Fine Catering & Events, and restaurateur Willie Rhine was on-site to make sure everything went smoothly. From the roast beef and turkey carving stations to the pear salad and pasta stations, the food was delicious. And in the kitchen were hundreds — yes, hundreds — of tiny baked and decorated mini desserts.
A huge thank you goes to the many people who helped to make this a wonderful evening in the spirit of giving. Johnson and Cheryl Scarlett, director of major gifts and fundraising, were both on hand to make sure the evening was a fun, upbeat and memorable evening under the stars.
Community partners included the City of Rancho Mirage, the Braille Institute, FIND Food Bank, Wine Women PSP, The Auen Foundation, United Way of the Desert, Sherman's Deli & Bakery, The Joslyn Center, The Community Foundation, Palm Springs Life, the City of Indian Wells, Scan Health Plan, Manhattan in the Desert, Lulu California Bistro, Desert Yoga Therapy, The Champions Volunteer Foundation, Aspen Mills, Change a Life Foundation, EFSP, Forest Lawn, Newman's Own, Islands, Atria Senior Living, Kaiser Permanente, Coachella Valley Wellness Foundation, International School of Beauty, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Desert Regional Medical Center, Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Anderson Children’s Foundation, DAP Health, Eisenhower Health, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, PS Underground, PNC Bank, Crumbl Cookies, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, Stater Bros. Charities and Jewish Federation of the Desert.
Learn more about Jewish Family Service of the Desert at jfsdesert.org.
Carole Stephen-Smith began writing in Scotland for a woman’s weekly at the age of 15 and then covered American celebrities for the London Evening Echo. Arriving in the desert, she wrote for Desert Woman in the 1990s. Carole focuses on charities that help women as well as medical causes, especially breast cancer awareness, and all aspects of child abuse.
Consider volunteering for Jewish Family Service of the Desert
JFS is seeking volunteers aged 21+ for the following assignments: JFS express medical appointment transportation coordinator, JFS express driver to help provide medical appointment transportation to seniors, office assistant, executive director administrative assistant and senior social activity program lead (Let's Do Lunch! program). Contact Julie Hirsh at (760) 325-4088 ext. 103 or via jhhirsh@jfsdesert.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jewish Family Service hosts 'A Night in Paradise' in Palm Desert
