Partners for Life reinforce dedication to Desert AIDS Project

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – April 28, 2010)

Perhaps it was the view from that architectural gem, the Elrod House. Or maybe it was the words of a long-time client and volunteer who spoke passionately of his gratitude to Desert AIDS Project for helping save his life. Whatever the cause, more than $20,000 was raised for D.A.P. client services on April 23 – by new members joining the Partners for Life (PFL) major donor program, current PFLs who agreed to match the donations of new members, and existing members who increased their present level of giving.

Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided by Savoury’s Catering, D.A.P. Board President Curt Ringness welcomed attendees and introduced D.A.P. Executive Director David Brinkman. He spoke of how recent health care reform will eventually ease some concerns for those with HIV/AIDS but that more than 60% of them are currently uninsured and that more than one in three live in poverty.

A long-time D.A.P. client followed Brinkman and spoke of coming to the agency more than 15 years ago, after being told that he had only months to live. D.A.P. quickly provided him with the immediate and ongoing medical and social services he needed, including food, housing, and much more. He has been a devoted volunteer and spokesman for the agency ever since and thanked the gathered donors for making it possible for him to soon be celebrating his 60th birthday.

Steve Lachs, Vice President of the D.A.P. Board, next took the stage and acknowledged Andy Linsky for founding the Partners for Life major donor program in 1997. He also thanked PFLs Rick Hutcheson and Rob Kincaid, Tom Jakway and Steven Tripp, and Walter Leiss who pledged to match initial donations of new PFLs as an added incentive.

New PFL memberships from the evening included Steve Allen and Mark Winsten, Stafford Fredericks – who won a drawing for a $1,000 gift certificate, donated by the Riviera Resort and Spa – Raymond Harper and David Hodge, Mark Messenger and Peter Demopoulos, Michael Miner and Chip Marler, Bruce Purdy and Barrett Shepard, Lonnie Roy and Miles Lichterman, and Chuck Steinman and John Marksbury. Patrick Jordan and Donald Stanton – already PFL members – increased their pledge, while another $650 in miscellaneous donations was raised during the course of the event.

Local architect J.R. Roberts closed the evening by giving a short talk about the design and construction of the Elrod House before everyone boarded shuttle buses back down to the parking lot at BMW of Palm Springs.  

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. For more information call 760-323-2118.