Harold Matzner is proud to support the desert’s many nonprofits that strengthen our Coachella Valley community, including these four events from this Spring:
On February 8th, Desert Arc hosted its sixth annual Champions of Change Recognition awards luncheon at the Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage for a record crowd of 325 supporters. The luncheon honors local individuals and companies from the valley who champion the mission of the non-profit organization. A record $100,000 was raised to benefit Desert Arc’s services and programs for people with disabilities. The Champion Honors luncheon sponsors included Helene Galen, Diane and Hal Gershowitz, IndiGO Auto Group, Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock, Eisenhower Health, Carole and Dale Landon, Angie Gerber, MaryLynn and Andrew Gladstein, Harold Matzner, and Spencer’s Restaurant.
Additional sponsors included Hot Purple Energy, Paper Recycling & Shredding Specialists Inc., Singer, Acrisure Arena, Balocco, Darlene Beneto, City of Indian Wells, City of Indio, City of Palm Desert, City of Palm Springs, Erica Davis-Popely, Desert Equity LLC, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Lyn and Michael Green, The Management Trust, SA Recycling, Lori and Aubrey Serfling, Ronald A. Stewart PhD., Visit Greater Palm Springs, and Doug and Verna Watson.
Next, on February 24th, The Girlfriend Factor held its annual fundraiser Club Cabana at Toscana Country Club. The Girlfriend Factor supports women of the valley returning to the workforce and helps them achieve their personal goals. Sponsors donated to an auction which included items such as Firebirds season tickets, two nights at the Marriot Desert Springs, “Distiller for a Day” from Buzzbox Premium Cocktails, and more. Each auction package sold for well over its beginning bid price! The event was sponsored by Jennifer and Robert Stephen; Natalie Driessen, MD; Conrado Bárzaga, MD; and Harold Matzner. Additional sponsors included Norma Castaneda, HR Advantage; CDTA College of Law; Health Insurance Network, Motz-Rusin Insurance; Judith Sanders; West Coast Turf; and Lin Lines.
Then on March 30th, DAP Health celebrated its 40th Anniversary at The Chase. Barry Manilow performed for 1,300 of DAP’s friends and supporters and nine community leaders jointly received the 2024 Community Legacy Award during the 30th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Chase was created by and named in honor of the late Steve Chase, an early DAP Health donor, volunteer, and board member. The Desert Care Network was the presenting sponsor for the anniversary gala with Amazon and Harold Matzner as producing sponsors. Major sponsors included Kevin Bass and Brent Bloesser, Jim Burba and Bob Hayes, Patrick Jordan, Scot and Lance Karp, Barry Manilow and Garry Kief and Steve Tobin and the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation. The Hammond Family Foundation and Walgreens were the event's star sponsors.
On April 6th, ACT for MS celebrated 25 years of providing services for local patients with multiple sclerosis at a Gala event at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. This year’s gala fundraiser was emceed by Ruta Lee, and acknowledged current and past honorees who have served the organization over the years. In 2024, ACT for MS is set to provide 3,094 free hours of service to 99 locals living with multiple sclerosis. Special thanks went to diamond gala donors The Auen Foundation, Hunt and Neiderman; gold donors Helene Galen, Jamie Kabler and Coachella Valley Wellness Foundation; silver donors Mary Ellen Hendler and Sarah Schultz-Loveridge; crystal donors Joel Johnson, Bob Sata, Ann Greer and Norma Greer Fishkind.
Other donors over the years have included Sherrie and Ron Auen, Marc Byrd, Roxanne Davis, Barbara Fremont, Barbara and Bernie Fromm, Renata Grossi, Theresa Hall, Mary Ellen Hendler, Donna MacMillan, Penny Mason, Harold Matzner, Edeltraud McCarthy, Jo Ann McGrath, Sarah and Leo Milmet, Joann and Myron Minsk, Raju and Jaishri Mehta, Bill and Ann Pope, Catharine Reed, Jan Salta, Lori and Aubrey Serfling, Dich Shalhoub, Roger Snoble and Sherwyn Turbow.
Harold would like to thank all of the amazing donors who joined him in sponsoring these events!
Photo credit: Tony Marchese and Harold Matzner at The Chase in 2018. Gregg Felsen, Special to the Desert Sun