Local nonprofits host a lavish party in Palm Desert for people with disabilities
The stars came out Jan. 13 in full force — yes, very special human stars, including young ladies who walked the red carpet with their corsages and boutonnieres, hair done, makeup perfect, wearing beautiful dresses and young men looking handsome in suits and tuxedos.
The Gala: Special Stars Come Out Tonight was a special event for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by the Fenixia Foundation Inc. and Building Bridges for Special Needs Coachella Valley. The leaders of these nonprofits put together their collaborative minds to create an event that was not just a fundraiser. Held at Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, this magical night was an opportunity for 120 remarkable young people to attend their first gala, where they danced and laughed with friends.
The day began with hair and makeup, which was generously provided to the young people by the students at Elite Cosmetology's Desert Sands School District, Dishwater Blonde Salon in Palm Desert and Melissa Diaz.
Starting at 5 p.m., guests were treated to a red carpet experience while DJ Javier provided music.
Close to 350 people attended the gala, which was the brainchild of Lisa Valerio, president and founder of the Fenixia Foundation, and Renée Griffin, organizer and founder of Building Bridges for Special Needs Coachella Valley. Both women are mothers to special needs children.
Guests enjoyed the magnificent buffet, which consisted of pasta with meatballs and bowtie pasta with chicken alfredo and was followed by trays of cannolis, cookies, other delights. (I think the dessert line stretched all the way around the building.) Dancing came next with live music provided by local Palm Springs band The Myx. There was not an empty spot on the dance floor, which was filled with young people, their parents and event sponsors whose energy, laughter and enjoyment resembled a flash mob times 10. It was a wonderful sight to see so many people having fun.
The event's gala committee partners included the Palm Desert Rotary Club, LEAPS Services, Desert Recreation District, United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire and Seiden-Juku.
For many of us, attending parties and special events has become second nature due to the generosity of our Coachella Valley residents. For guests of The Gala, it was a magical night to remember.
This event will not happen again for two years, but I know I want to be there when it does. This is one place you feel your heart soar with gratitude for all the wonderful work these parents and organizations do. These young people are part of our world, and they deserve inclusion at all times.
Learn more about the Fenixia Foundation at fenixiafoundation.org. For more on Building Bridges for Special Needs, email buildingbridgescv@outlook.com.
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.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Nonprofits host lavish party in Palm Desert for people with disabilities
