Howard Lincoln honored by Alzheimers Coachella Valley

When you think about aging, growing old or developing illnesses, what frightens you the most? For many people, including me, that would be Alzheimer's disease or some form of dementia.

This condition with no cure robs families of their parents and siblings — and in some cases it can even deprive parents of their adult children.

Until 2017 there were no resources in the Coachella Valley for families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. Then a shared purpose ignited a spark: co-founders Pat Kaplan, the late Edie Keller and Dominick A. Calvano, along with a dedicated group of volunteers realized that need, and their vision materialized with the establishment of Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

ACV's annual gala, aptly called Endless Possibilities, took place March 27 at the Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert. The crowd at the sold-out affair was there to raise funds to keep this worthwhile program going strong and also to honor one man whose journey of faith and service stretches 79 years.

The life of Sacred Heart Church's retired Monsignor, Howard Lincoln, has been marked by a series of unique experiences and spiritual transformations. Lincoln's story resembles a fairytale, but it's the true story of a man whose kind words from the heart have inspired a million or more people in this valley and whose fundraising efforts have helped raise more than $100 million to build churches and schools in the east valley, a place where ACV is now educating people on ways to help the growing population of local dementia patients.

It was a privilege to hear him speak about his journey as a priest and now as a spiritual care liaison at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage.

Lincoln also has a mischievous sense of humor and is an avid golfer, wine connoisseur and chef. Along with his friend, local meteorologist Patrick Evans, he has donated his time and expertise to host many fundraising dinner evenings that are auctioned off and then prepared by both men in the winner's home.

This evening's donation from Lincoln and Evans was a dinner for eight that featured specialty wines, a delicious meal and the company of these two funny men with huge philanthropic hearts.

Event sponsors included KESQ News Channel 3, Karma TMS, Walter Clark Legal Group, Bella Villaggio, The Palms, Farley Pavers, State Farm Insurance (John Ford), Isning Multimedia, Eisai, Desert Doctors, Brookdale Senior Living, Create Center for the Arts, Blooming Events Florists, Vista Cove at Rancho Mirage, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Contour Dermatology and the Turbow Family.

To learn more about Alzheimers Coachella Valley or to make a donation, visit cvalzheimers.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.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Howard Lincoln honored by Alzheimers Coachella Valley