Galilee Center receives historical donation for expansion project

Eliana Perez, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
An anticipated expansion at the Galilee Center is highlighted in blue. The nonprofit organization helps house the working poor and other communities in need in the eastern Coachella Valley.
An anticipated expansion at the Galilee Center is highlighted in blue. The nonprofit organization helps house the working poor and other communities in need in the eastern Coachella Valley.

The Galilee Center, a nonprofit organization in Mecca, has received a $500,000 donation for its emergency shelter expansion project, making it the largest single gift supporting its current fundraising campaign — and also the largest contribution ever presented to the center in its 11-year history.

Late last year, the Galilee Center began efforts to raise funding for a 6,000-square-foot expansion of its emergency shelter, meant to address increased needs for assistance and services.

The anticipated expansion would allow the center to increase its emergency housing capacity and continue its humanitarian mission to support the essential needs of the working poor and migrant families in the eastern Coachella Valley.

On Wednesday, the organization announced the generous donation from Bob Lurie, a former owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, and his wife, Connie Lurie, which enabled the Galilee Center to reach 95% of its financial target of $2 million.

Gloria Gomez, one of founders of the nonprofit, told the Desert Sun on Thursday that the Luries had donated to the center before, but this week's large contribution was a pleasant surprise.

Of the expansion plans, Gomez said: "We are going to have 150 beds, more than what we usually have, about 70 beds, so it's doubled. Where people sleep now would become the community room, what it was always meant to be, and we would open up the dining room, so we can give them breakfast, lunch and dinner there."

Gomez added that the center hopes to start construction in the next two to three months.

Gary McBride, right, presents a check to Gloria Gomez, center, and Claudia Castorena of the Galilee Center. American Express distributed $1.1 million to Coachella Valley charities at the La Quinta Country Club, November 16, 2021.
Gary McBride, right, presents a check to Gloria Gomez, center, and Claudia Castorena of the Galilee Center. American Express distributed $1.1 million to Coachella Valley charities at the La Quinta Country Club, November 16, 2021.

In a release, the organization acknowledged the hefty contribution, saying "We are so blessed to have such patrons as Bob and Connie, who have not only committed to helping our campus expansion project come to fruition, but have shown a kindness beyond all of our expectations. We are so very grateful."

To learn more about Galilee Center’s pending expansion or to make a donation, visit expansion.galileecenter.org or call (760) 396-9100.

Eliana Perez covers the eastern Coachella Valley. Reach her at eliana.perez@thedesertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Galilee Center receives historical donation for expansion project