Desert Best Friend's Closet makes dreams come true at annual fundraiser

Carole Stephen-Smith
·3 min read

Desert Best Friend's Closet (DBFC) held its 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show April 5 at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.

Prior to the lunch the nonprofit held a fabulous $10 boutique. If you purchased four items, the fifth one was free. That certainly drew a crowd, because those of us who visit DBFC's thrift boutique know there are plenty of hidden gems behind their doors.

There were so many highlights to this sold-out event, including feel-good client success stories and a fashion show in which all the clothes worn by the models — who were past and present DBFC clients — were items donated to the organization.

Models at Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show were past and present clients of the nonprofit.
Models at Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show were past and present clients of the nonprofit.

Desert Best Friend's Closet is a 501(c)(3) that, according to its website, educates and empowers clients for success in employment and life. The organization partners and collaborates with other agencies in the Coachella Valley to provide interview-appropriate attire at no cost to employment seekers who do not have the means to buy such attire themselves.

In addition, DBFC's thrift boutique is open to the public. Donated items that are not suitable for clients to use on interviews are put in the boutique and offered for sale. Thanks to the generosity of donors, some items are brand new with tags still on. There are plenty of high-end items from brands like Lululemon and Michael Kors that sell for five dollars apiece or five for $20. There are purses, shoes, jewelry — every visit is a new adventure.

Another highlight of the evening was the presenting of the David Chavez Memorial Inspiration Award, which is given annually. Chavez was a success story and client of DBFC who was murdered in 2015 while visiting Christmas Tree Lane in Cathedral City with his family.

Kimberly Krause, Edra Rizzo and Rebecca Rizzo pose at Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show, April 5, 2024.
Kimberly Krause, Edra Rizzo and Rebecca Rizzo pose at Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show, April 5, 2024.

This year's award went to Tiffany Rogowski. Matt McLeroy, DBFC's director of programs and development said Rogowski "is one of the kindest and sweetest people you'll ever meet. She is bright, she is energetic and capable of accomplishing great things. Tiffany is not defined by her learning disability. She adapts, she understands what her strengths are, and she recognizes when she needs to slow things down. Tiffany is so deserving of this award because she has challenged herself, she has overcome many obstacles and today she is a wonderful employee that truly embraces the opportunities that she has earned. Tiffany has blossomed into an amazing young adult, and everyone at DBFC is so very proud of her."

There was another exciting surprise for Rogowski. One of her dreams has been getting her driver’s license, which she found challenging because her disability made it difficult for her to get comfortable behind the wheel. Unfortunately, due to the expense of lessons, she had been forced to put that dream on hold. Enter Ernie Vasquez and Chloe Collett from Miller's Driving Academy, who took to the stage to surprise Rogowski with free driving lessons until she is comfortable and ready to pass her driving test. The sheer delight on Rogowski's face, the overwhelming gratitude that poured from her, brought tears to so many eyes. This is just an example of some of the incredible work DBFC does for people in our community.

The evening's emcee was Karina Quintanilla, the current mayor of Palm Desert Mayor, who, along with McLeroy, took time to recognize DBFC's wonderful volunteers.

"Without the help of these amazing community champions we would not be the organization we are today," McLeroy said.

Walter Clark, Geri Clark and Patty Newman attend Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show, April 5, 2024.
Walter Clark, Geri Clark and Patty Newman attend Desert Best Friend's Closet's 10th annual Put Your Best Shoe Forward luncheon and fashion show, April 5, 2024.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the clients of Desert Best Friend's Closet through a variety of programs the organization offers. All sales and donations collected stay right here in the Coachella Valley.

For more information, visit bfcloset.org, call (760) 776-9975 or drop by 74-040 Highway 111 in Palm Desert and chat with the friendly volunteers. Who knows? You might just find a fabulous pair of Manolo Blahniks for five dollars.

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: Desert Best Friend's Closet makes dreams come true at fundraiser