The Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club celebrates 60 years – with a goal to donate over $1 million
Since the establishment of the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club in 1963, we have donated over $900,000 to local charities supporting the education and advancement of the youth in the Coachella Valley. Our goal is to reach and exceed $1 million over the next few years.
As the current president of the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club, it is my pleasure to share a brief history of the club with you.
In 1963, a group of civic-minded women met at the Desert Air Hotel for the first time (currently the site of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas hotel). The purpose of the group was to form a social club to aid the community and the young people of the area.
When the club began, the members primarily lived in The Rancho Mirage Cove. They hosted picnics, barbeques and family activities.
In 1966, the ground-breaking for the Rancho Mirage Elementary School took place and the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club was represented. To date, over $100,000 has been donated by the club to the elementary school.
Also in 1966, Rancho Mirage launched its first community newspaper, jointly published by the Chamber of Commerce, the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club, and the Rancho Mirage Community Association. It was called the “Rancho Mirage Reporter.”
In 1968, the Rancho Mirage branch library was approved and established with the help of the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club.
In 1983, Whitewater Park (now renamed Rancho Mirage Community Park) officially opened in January. Our club donated close to $10,000 for playground equipment.
Since its inception, the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club has donated to nearly 50 charities supporting our local youth. Some of our multiple-year recipients have been: College of the Desert - Childcare Development Center; Boys & Girls Club Chapters throughout the Coachella Valley; The Ophelia Project; Pegasus Riding Academy; Olive Crest; Coachella Valley History Museum; College of the Desert – Nursing Scholarship Endowment; Rancho Mirage Elementary and High School Scholarships;
And so, so many more.
Our club would not be where it is today without our exceptional board of directors who work tirelessly to put on our annual fundraising gala and our monthly luncheons featuring speakers or entertainment.
Our club hopes to continue the legacy it has created over these past 60 years as it “Marches toward $1 million” in donations. As we look back at the charities to whom we have donated, we are very proud of the tremendous impact we have made in the community. The Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club looks forward to many more years of contributing to organizations that make a difference and give hope, to the youth in our valley.
The club’s annual fundraising gala, themed “Havana Nights,” will be held the evening of Feb. 29 at Indian Wells Country Club and will feature popular entertainer Slim Man band, a silent auction and various vendors. Everyone is welcome! Please join us and…don’t forget to wear your Fedora!
Information regarding our annual fundraiser gala and monthly luncheons can be found at www.ranchomiragewomansclub.org.
Terry Snodgrass is president of the Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club. She can be reached at SnodgrassT@aol.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club celebrates 60 years
