Indian Wells Country Club hosts charity classic ‘Passport to Giving’
Indian Wells Country Club members turned out in solid numbers to lend their support for a good cause: the highly anticipated two-day annual Indian Wells Charity Classic the weekend of Feb. 17.
The event raised much-needed funds for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) and for the Invited Employee Care Foundation.
A 2K run/walk on Saturday commenced the festivities at 9 a.m., which was followed by an exclusive car show featuring members’ vintage models as well as stunning new cars. On Sunday, guests participated in a “9 and Wine” golf tournament, followed by an elegant gala dinner, which featured an extensive live and silent auction with live entertainment throughout the evening performed by colorful and energetic Flamenco dancers and an accompanying guitarist.
Patrick Evans, KESQ TV’s meteorologist and host of Eye on the Desert, served as emcee and auctioneer.
Dinner commenced with tray-passed appetizers followed by a scrumptious three-course dinner consisting of an heirloom golden ruby red beet and herbed goat cheese mousse, Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, prime beef short ribs and a classic French Napolean.
One of the live auction highlights was an adorable 8-week-old French Pug mix puppy, complete with four training sessions. Additional highlights were an Aetric golf cart; a Puerto Vallarta condominium stay; two private dinners for 10 guests including wine, prepared by Indian Wells’ Chef Joshua Castro; and BNP Paribas tennis tickets with a Porta Via Restaurant gift card.
Susan Stiff of Perfect Touch Inc. designed the elegant dinner ambiance,
Greg Redden, Gina Anastasi and Paul Cox, director of golf at Indian Wells Country Club, attend the event. showcasing floor-length black pintuck table linens with coordinating red napkins. The stunning centerpiece, carrying out the international theme for the evening, consisted of a 12-inch globe sitting on a lit pedestal base.
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission was founded in 1971 in Indio to serve the growing homeless population within the Coachella Valley, beginning as a simple soup kitchen and shelter for men only. As support for the mission grew, programs and services expanded.
Today, the nonprofit operates two long-term residential programs for both men and women, designed to bring clients
Andrea Giedraitis poses with husband Patrick Evans, who served as emcee and auctioneer. to self-sufficiency so they can transition back to independent living.
The Invited Employee Care Foundation assists invited employees in the midst of crisis such as home loss, death, illness and domestic situations. Since its creation in 2007, more than 2,100 invited employees in need and their families have received funds from this foundation.
Local businesses as well as individuals helped to support this year’s annual charity classic through a variety of sponsorship opportunities and/or by donating products and services for the silent and live auctions. Sponsors included Holguin Construction, Arizona Tile, WDC Kitchen & Bath Center, Pro Circuit AV, Eisenhower Health, Farley Interlocking Pavers, Flooring Innovations and Gallery Homes.
Madeline Zuckerman is owner of M. Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations, Inc., a strategic marketing, branding, public relations and special events firm with offices in Rancho Mirage and Newport Beach, Calif. She is a founder of McCallum Theatre, a board member of the One Valley Foundation, the official nonprofit of the Coachella Valley Firebirds and has been a guest reporter with The Desert Sun for the past 16 years.