Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert honors Women of Wonder

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." — Margaret Thatcher

Variety – the Children's Charity of the Desert hosted its third annual Women of Wonder awards luncheon April 19 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage with a visible outpouring of community support. The crowd of 200 guests sat spellbound as five Women of Wonder honorees told their inspiring stories of giving back in so many impactful ways.

"These exceptional honorees have a passion for serving the community and are making a significant difference in the lives of children each and every day," said Penny Salamida, event chair and Variety board member. "We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Blue Ribbon Committee, who worked so diligently on this luncheon and who selected these incredible Women of Wonder."

Members of the committee included Salamida, Tamara Canedo, Jacky Donnell, Karen Cornett, Julie Frazier, Steve Haro, Barbara Klein, Linda Rider, Kara Robinson, Bob Schneider and Heidi Maldoon.

The Women of Wonder annual awards luncheon was established to honor and celebrate local women who have made a difference in the lives of Coachella Valley children, which is synergistic with Variety's own mission of funding and delivering life-changing programs that give children a better future.

This year's honorees and role models included Jill Beighley, president of the Assistance League of Coachella Valley, which transforms the lives of children and adults through community programs. Beighley is especially committed to helping children in underserved communities.

"Children can do great things and rise above their circumstances if given the right tools to succeed," Beighley said.

Another honoree, Andrea Hecht, is the executive director of Tools For Tomorrow, an organization that promotes cognitive, emotional, social, multi-sensory and critical thinking skills by offering children a hands-on experience. The mission of this nonprofit is to reach, teach, and inspire children through the arts.

Honoree Jan Lupia is the founder and executive director of Mama's House, a residential home that offers a safe, supportive, loving and nurturing environment for women experiencing crises while pregnant and/or with an infant or small child.

Honoree Sophia Campos is an experienced grant writer who has dedicated more than 20 years to serving the needs of the intellectually and developmentally disabled population.

"Being recognized for this WOW award means the world to me," Campos said. "I am filled with gratitude and humility, standing alongside these amazing women in our community. Through serving, I've seen firsthand the impact we can make, and it is truly heartening."

Honoree Dawn Rashid is an early childhood educator of 35 years and an advocate and mentor to children. She is very active in the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

This year's Women of Wonder champagne reception and awards luncheon raised much-needed funds to expand the essential core services of Variety – the Children's Charity in order to meet the needs of children who are disadvantaged, at-risk or living with special needs and their families.

During the luncheon, guests were entertained by the upbeat and very talented A Cabbello, a local men's vocal ensemble. Guests feasted on a scrumptious menu of organic mixed green salad, an entrée of grilled kalbi chicken accompanied by fried rice and wok Asian vegetables and topped off with a delicious three-chocolate mousse cake.

Event sponsors included Linda and Manny Rider, Contour Dermatology, Rashid, Seiden-Juku, Barbara and Larry Klein, Cypress Wealth Services, Ellen Roy, Elmer's Restaurant, Precision Wellness, Beighley, Mama's House, Mary Pickford Theatre, M Premier Partners, Visit Greater Palm Springs and the Lowell Milken Family Foundation.

KESQ News Channel 3 was the luncheon's media sponsor.

Variety – the Children's Charity of the Desert was formed in 1987 and is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are underprivileged, at-risk, critically ill or living with special needs throughout the Coachella Valley. Variety is one of the oldest and most comprehensive children's charities in the world. With humble beginnings in the Sheraton Theatre in Pittsburgh in 1928, Variety now has more than 40 chapters worldwide. By providing life-enriching assistance to Coachella Valley children, Variety aids them in experiencing all the joys of childhood, while growing to foster confidence and independence to be able to access all that the world has to offer.

To learn more, visit varietyofthedesert.org or call (760) 773-9800.

Madeline Zuckerman is owner of M. Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations Inc., a strategic marketing, branding, public relations and special events firm with offices in Rancho Mirage and Newport Beach, Calif. She is a founder of McCallum Theatre, a board member of the One Valley Foundation, the official nonprofit of the Coachella Valley Firebirds and has been a guest reporter with The Desert Sun for the past 16 years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Variety - the Children's Charity of the Desert honors Women of Wonder