AAP – Food Samaritans returns event to its original ‘garden party’ roots with ‘Evening Under the Stars – Genesis’

 

In 1993, two years after AIDS Assistance Program was founded, the board of directors decided to organize a small fundraising party to help increase AAP’s visibility and provide entertainment for the community while helping to raise funds to support their mission. It started simply – a board member donated the use of their backyard, and other board members and volunteers built a simple stage. The audience was treated to a series of performances and the event raised enough money to help fund the growing nutritional support program. 

 

The event became an annual fundraising fête and one of the most elaborate galas in the Valley with up to 1,500 guests, a formal seated dinner, and world class entertainment including Barry Manilow, Cyndi Lauper, and Gladys Knight.

 

Mark Anton, C.E.O./Executive Director explains: “Post COVID, with skyrocketing costs for everything, the event as it had evolved wouldn’t ‘pencil out’ unless ticket prices were raised to $1,000, which is not sustainable and not ‘us.’ We had to reimagine it. For the 30th Anniversary of the event, we are bringing it back to our roots and having a celebration in one of the most spectacular estates in Palm Springs, with abundant food and drink and a ticket price more in line with our grass-roots nature. $200. In 1991 three strong women, Gloria Greene, Jeannette Rockefeller, and Joanna Jakway created AIDS Assistance Program. We celebrate them and our humble beginnings with this reinvented Evening Under the Stars.”

 

The event will raise much needed funds to help AAP – Food Samaritans support the critically needed programs that help address food insecurity and improve the quality of life for low-income people living with chronic illnesses in Palm Springs and surrounding communities. The event is presented by Eisenhower Health. 

 

Anton continued: “Please join us for a simpler, new event in the spirit of the original Evening Under the Stars garden party on Saturday, October 14 at 5:30 PM. In celebration of our supporters, we are honored to present the following with the Community Impact Award: Lori and Aubrey Serfling, and Nelda Linsk. We are honored to recognize their long-standing partnerships with us and all that they do in the community.”

 

Tickets for the benefit are available at $200 per person and include hosted bar, “heavy hors d’oeurves” by Eight4Nine, entertainment, and valet parking. It will be held at the home of Brad Lampley & Rigo Lomeli (formerly known as ‘Houston South’). Sponsorships are also available. For tickets and more information, call 760-325-8481 or visit aapfoodsamaritans.org.

 

Lily Tomlin, one of America's foremost comediennes, continues to venture across an ever-widening range of media, starring in television, theater, motion pictures, animation, video, and social media.  Throughout her extraordinary career, Tomlin has received numerous awards, including: seven Emmys; a Tony for her one woman Broadway show, Appearing Nitely; a second Tony for Best Actress, a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics’ Circle Award for her one woman performance in Jane Wagner’s The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe; a CableAce Award for Executive Producing the film adaptation of The Search; a Grammy for her comedy album, This is a Recording as well as nominations for her subsequent albums Modern Scream, And That's the Truth, and On Stage; and two Peabody Awards – the first for the ABC television special, Edith Ann’s Christmas (Just Say Noël), and the second for narrating and executive producing the HBO film, The Celluloid Closet. In 2003, she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and, in December 2014, was the recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC. For more information, please visit http://www.lilytomlin.com/

 

Now in its 32nd year of service to the community, AAP- Food Samaritans of Palm Springs remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to help address food insecurity and improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. HIV/AIDS continues to be a major health challenge in the Coachella Valley and across the world. While some people who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS are able to work and maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle, AAP serves those who unable to do so. Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, heart and liver disease all present similar challenges to those who are living with these debilitating conditions. While there have been developments in treating these chronic illnesses, AAP’s clients are faced with daily challenges. AAP improves the quality of life of those who need it the most and it helps its clients live healthier lives with dignity and self-respect.