Wells Fargo and KMIR Pony Up for AIDS Assistance Program (AAP)
Newswire Services
March 29, 2007
Two diverse entities come together at Evening Under the Stars.
Palm Springs -- Each year one of Palm Springs’ oldest and most stunning golf courses morphs from a playground of green to a playground of the stars as the Who’s Who of the desert descend upon the transformed grounds of the prestigious O’Donnell Golf Club at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains for the annual Evening Under the Stars. The gala is the largest fundraiser of the season for the AIDS Assistance Program, an organization dedicated to servicing the needs, primarily through its Food Voucher Program, for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley area. Last year’s gala—the 13th for the popular event—provided almost half of AAP’s food voucher expense for the entire period. Guests pay anywhere from $395 for an individual ticket or $25,000 for corporate or individual sponsored tables of 10. Corporate sponsors in the past have included Wells Fargo Bank, Auga Caliente Band of Mission Indians. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Absolute and others.
The 2007 event takes place on May 5th and once again, Wells Fargo Bank is lending an outstretched hand as the Presenting Sponsor for Evening Under the Stars. The mega-financial services company boasts the highest possible credit rating is no stranger to attaching its name to (not to mention underwriting) events and non-profit organizations that celebrate diversity.
Well-known in the community for their support in the arena of LGBT causes, in 2006 Wells Fargo was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for receiving a perfect score (100 percent) on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.
The many supporters of AAP—who hail from all walks of life--will be treated to a high energy concert featuring the timeless talents of Mary Wilson of the Supremes, a performance that promises to induce spontaneous dancing from the appreciative crowd. Wilson is best known for her work as a member of the Motown soul and pop group The Supremes. Wilson joins Nell Carter, Tyne Daley, Melissa Manchester, Jane Oliver, Lorna Luft, Susanne Sommers, Bea Arthur, Nancy Wilson, Lily Tomlin (and the entire remaining cast of Laugh In) and Barry Manilow as the remarkable talent that has graced the stage of the AAP’s Evening Under the Stars extravaganza.
The evening, which begins at 6 pm, includes a cocktail reception and silent auction with a sumptuous seated dinner served at 7:00 pm, followed by the always stellar entertainment.
This year, local businessman and activist Andy Linsky will receive the coveted Herb Lazenby Community Service Award at the event in recognition of the tireless commitment he has shown in the war against HIV/AIDS. Presenting the award to Linsky will be popular KMIR-6 news anchors Karen Devine and Tom Jordan. KMIR, which has offered support for the AAP gala fundraiser time and time again, is putting a new twist on this year’s festivities. Currently in the works is an ingenious plan to hold a contest for two free tickets to the posh May 5th event. The winners—one man and one woman--- will be followed by a KMIR camera crew as they navigate the furtive waters of proper black-tie preparation. Viewers will be asked to vote on several aspects of the journey, from what to wear to the right blend of ‘bling.’ Reality TV in the desert… it could happen!
The AIDS Assistance Program was founded in Palm Springs in the spring of 1991.At that time, a small group of concerned citizens, led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, provided meals to members of the community with low incomes and suffering with HIV/AIDS. Since then, the AIDS Assistance Program's client rosters have grown from approximately 20 to well beyond 500 persons and their dependents. For more information log onto eveningunderthestars.com or aidsassistance.org.
Palm Springs -- Each year one of Palm Springs’ oldest and most stunning golf courses morphs from a playground of green to a playground of the stars as the Who’s Who of the desert descend upon the transformed grounds of the prestigious O’Donnell Golf Club at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains for the annual Evening Under the Stars. The gala is the largest fundraiser of the season for the AIDS Assistance Program, an organization dedicated to servicing the needs, primarily through its Food Voucher Program, for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley area. Last year’s gala—the 13th for the popular event—provided almost half of AAP’s food voucher expense for the entire period. Guests pay anywhere from $395 for an individual ticket or $25,000 for corporate or individual sponsored tables of 10. Corporate sponsors in the past have included Wells Fargo Bank, Auga Caliente Band of Mission Indians. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Absolute and others.
The 2007 event takes place on May 5th and once again, Wells Fargo Bank is lending an outstretched hand as the Presenting Sponsor for Evening Under the Stars. The mega-financial services company boasts the highest possible credit rating is no stranger to attaching its name to (not to mention underwriting) events and non-profit organizations that celebrate diversity.
Well-known in the community for their support in the arena of LGBT causes, in 2006 Wells Fargo was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for receiving a perfect score (100 percent) on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.
The many supporters of AAP—who hail from all walks of life--will be treated to a high energy concert featuring the timeless talents of Mary Wilson of the Supremes, a performance that promises to induce spontaneous dancing from the appreciative crowd. Wilson is best known for her work as a member of the Motown soul and pop group The Supremes. Wilson joins Nell Carter, Tyne Daley, Melissa Manchester, Jane Oliver, Lorna Luft, Susanne Sommers, Bea Arthur, Nancy Wilson, Lily Tomlin (and the entire remaining cast of Laugh In) and Barry Manilow as the remarkable talent that has graced the stage of the AAP’s Evening Under the Stars extravaganza.
The evening, which begins at 6 pm, includes a cocktail reception and silent auction with a sumptuous seated dinner served at 7:00 pm, followed by the always stellar entertainment.
This year, local businessman and activist Andy Linsky will receive the coveted Herb Lazenby Community Service Award at the event in recognition of the tireless commitment he has shown in the war against HIV/AIDS. Presenting the award to Linsky will be popular KMIR-6 news anchors Karen Devine and Tom Jordan. KMIR, which has offered support for the AAP gala fundraiser time and time again, is putting a new twist on this year’s festivities. Currently in the works is an ingenious plan to hold a contest for two free tickets to the posh May 5th event. The winners—one man and one woman--- will be followed by a KMIR camera crew as they navigate the furtive waters of proper black-tie preparation. Viewers will be asked to vote on several aspects of the journey, from what to wear to the right blend of ‘bling.’ Reality TV in the desert… it could happen!
The AIDS Assistance Program was founded in Palm Springs in the spring of 1991.At that time, a small group of concerned citizens, led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, provided meals to members of the community with low incomes and suffering with HIV/AIDS. Since then, the AIDS Assistance Program's client rosters have grown from approximately 20 to well beyond 500 persons and their dependents. For more information log onto eveningunderthestars.com or aidsassistance.org.