(PALM SPRINGS, CA – November 11, 2008)
The Rancho Mirage home of Jerry and Barbara Keller – already a veritable art museum – became a giant artist studio on Saturday night to kick-off the upcoming 15th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards on February 21, 2009 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Five artists from the Palm Springs Art Museum Artist’s Council were busy creating original paintings that will be included in the event’s silent auction, to benefit client services at Desert AIDS Project.
The five artists – Jean Bradley, Zoe Ann Fischer, Ron Meyers, Gary Paterson, and Laurel Thomas – began creating their paintings as about 200 sponsors and other financial supporters of Desert AIDS Project enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided by Piero’s Acqua Pazza. Two other members of the Artist’s Council – Tony Barton and Mark Stephenson – who were unable to attend the Saturday kick-off will also be donating original works for the Steve Chase silent auction. “The Steve Chase,” which, over its 15 years of supporting client services at D.A.P., has grown to be the one of the Coachella Valley’s largest black-tie galas, with upcoming attendance estimated at 1,600.
“Barbara Keller has been an outstanding co-chair for the 2009 Steve Chase event,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “This kick-off party is a first for D.A.P. and we are so grateful to Barbara and Jerry for opening their lovely home to thank our generous donors. Not only have they underwritten the catering for tonight’s event but Barbara made these original art pieces happen by connecting us with these wonderful, local artists.”
Ms. Keller, well-known for her tireless support of a variety of local charitable organizations, said, “After being approached to join Jim Casey as co-chairs for the Steve Chase, I took a tour of Desert AIDS Project. Once I saw the amazing work that goes on there, I couldn’t wait to get started. They really are a one-of-a-kind AIDS service organization and we are so lucky to have them right here in our community. I am thrilled to see so many people here tonight who have shown they share my enthusiasm for D.A.P.’s mission by writing some pretty substantial checks. If you haven’t already, take a tour of D.A.P. I’m sure you will be as impressed as I have been.”
Jim Casey, President and CEO of Integrated Wealth Management, Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 Steve Chase added, “When I signed on with Barbara as co-chair, the financial markets were in a totally different condition and I was glad to make the $150,000 contribution. Even though we’ve seen such a dramatic change in the economy, I’m still happy to make this contribution and that so many of you have joined me with your own generous donations. I’m happy to say that you have helped to completely underwrite the expenses of the 2009 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards.”
As Casey went on to reveal more details, those present were the first to get the complete celebrity summary of the 2009 Steve Chase, celebrating 25 years of service by Desert AIDS Project. “I’m happy to tell you all that the lovely Ms. Diahann Carroll will be joining us as our headline entertainer. But that’s just the beginning,” said Casey. “Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, and Donna Mills will be a terrific trio, acting as mistresses of ceremonies. This year, we have a very special Award winner – Barry Manilow will be receiving our Silver Anniversary Community Service Award, in recognition of his extensive philanthropy, not only nationwide but right here in his hometown of Palm Springs. Our other winners of the 2009 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards are Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bebe Neuwirth, Kristin Chenoweth, and the Valley’s own Bill Jones and Harriet Goldberg.”
As the consummate entertainer performing to rave reviews on both stage and screen, those attending the 2009 Steve Chase are sure to be thrilled by the vocal stylings of Tony and Golden Globe winner Diahann Carroll. “We are delighted to have Diahann Carroll performing and are excited about all of the other ‘star power’ and sponsorships that our hard-working co-chairs have brought to us,” added Brinkman. “Given that 2009 marks the culmination of D.A.P.’s 25th year of service, we’re very excited about this year’s panoply of stars from the worlds of the arts, science, and philanthropy. In fact, we find ourselves with an ‘embarrassment of riches’ with TWO Arts and Activism Award winners.”
Silver Anniversary Community Service Award winner Barry Manilow is not only a music icon but a generous contributor to charitable causes in the Coachella Valley community and beyond. His Manilow Fund for Health and Hope continues to be a major sponsor of AIDS Walks in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Fund also sets a high bar for philanthropy by continuing to fill needs within the community from donations of money to provide instruments to valley schools’ music departments to raising money to help homeless youth and those afflicted with HIV and AIDS.
Bebe Neuwirth will be one of two 2009 Arts and Activism Award winners, in recognition of her ongoing work with AIDS-related causes. In addition to winning the Tony, as well as Drama Desk and Astaire awards, for her portrayal of “Velma” in the long-running Broadway production of “Chicago,” Ms. Neuwirth, won two Emmys for her recurring role as Dr. Lilith Sternin on TV’s Frasier and recently filmed the film Adopt-A-Sailor in Palm Springs,.
Kristin Chenoweth will also be honored with a 2009 Arts and Activism Award. Ms. Chenoweth is a 2008 Emmy nominee as Best Supporting Actress in the ABC series “Pushing Daisies” and has a long list of stage and screen credits. With a master’s degree in opera performance, Ms. Chenoweth has released three albums, including the recent “A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas.”
Anthony Fauci, MD, will be honored with the 2009 Science and Medicine Award. Dr. Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In recognition of the seminal contributions he has made to understanding how the AIDS virus destroys the body’s defenses, Dr. Fauci earlier this year received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civil award.
Bill Jones will receive the 2009 Partners for Life Award. Jones co-chaired the Steve Chase gala for three years with Tim Hanlon of Wells Fargo and continues to be a generous supporter of D.A.P.
Another ongoing donor, volunteer, and all-around supporter of D.A.P. is Harriet Goldberg, who will receive the 100 Women Award for 2009. In addition to being a member of the major donor group for which the award is named, Ms. Goldberg is an active member and unofficial “den mother” of Stitch in Time, a group of clients and volunteers who produce beautiful quilts and other needlecrafts that are often used to support D.A.P.
The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards is the signature fundraising event for Desert AIDS Project, contributing significant operating revenue for client services through tickets, program ad sales, and sponsorships by individuals and corporations. For more information, please visit desertaidsproject.org and click on “Steve Chase.”
Now, in their twenty-fifth year of service to those with HIV and AIDS, Desert AIDS Project lies at the epicenter of care, prevention, and advocacy for vulnerable populations in the Coachella Valley and beyond. Despite an environment of persistent social stigma, declining societal interest, and decreasing federal funding for AIDS programs, D.A.P. continues to offer new services like its recently-opened HIV-specialty dental clinic, the first of its kind in Riverside County.
D.A.P. offers primary medical care through its Wells Fargo HIV Health Center and a full range of social services, as well as widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. Free and confidential HIV testing is also provided six days a week at a variety of locations. For more information, call 760-323-2118.
