The famous, sumptuous Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala has expanded to a 30-hour party and a showcase for glamour and star power — of both the Hollywood and Palm Springs varieties.
On the Friday evening before the gala, more than 400 revelers began sipping cocktails and nibbling on finger food catered by Savoury's at a huge home in the Old Las Palmas area of Palm Springs. The ceilings were easily 15 feet high with 10-foot doors. These people like their privacy, but sure know how to live.
By 5 p.m. Saturday evening, the first of nearly 1,400 dapper and well-groomed guests began arriving at the Palm Springs Convention Center, giving them nearly two hours to sip, nibble and browse the humongous silent auction, which included many bargains.
Dinner was efficiently executed with pre-served salad and dessert. Some self-disciplined souls waited patiently for the delicious main course, but others couldn't resist the draw of the beautiful Chocolate Fantasy Cake and ate it first. (Hey, at $425 a ticket, they were entitled!)
Richard DeSantis produced the awards show, with Joey English supplying the off-stage voice.
Desert AIDS Project executive director
David Brinkman opened the program, followed by board president Curt Ringness and event co-chairwoman Barbara Keller and co-chairman Jim Casey (of Integrated Wealth Management, who has recommitted to serving as presenting sponsor for next year's gala).
The effervescent Harriet Goldberg received the 100 Women Award for volunteerism from Susan Unger, and Bill Jones received the Partners for Life award from Dick Taylor.
The live auction was very successful, with pledges and fabulous trips enticing large bids. |
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| Some key participants in the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala were sponsor and co-chairman Jim Casey, Desert AIDS Project board president Curt Ringness, co-chairwoman Barbara Keller, honoree Barry Manilow, actress-author Suzanne Somers and Desert AIDS Project executive director David Brinkman. (Maile Klein, Special to The Desert Sun) |
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Singer-actress Diahann Carroll thrilled an audience of nearly 1,400 at the Steve Chase gala last week by singing popular songs such as “On a Clear Day” and “Been So Many Places.” |
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Celebrity co-hosts Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, and Donna Mills (whose gowns were designed by Ralph Lauren, Elaine Kim and Pilar Rossi, respectively) stunningly represented the beauty and glitz factor.
Fairchild introduced Regan Hofmann, editor-in-chief of Poz Magazine, who presented the Science and Medicine Award to Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Presidential Medal of Freedom winner for his worldwide advances in the understanding and treatment of HIV and AIDS.
Mills introduced B.D. Wong, who presented the first Arts and Activism Award to actress Bebe Neuwirth, who said, “We are finally shifting to a theme of hope: people living with AIDS, not dying from it.”
Gray presented the second Arts and Activism Award to Kristin Chenoweth, and all three joined in introducing Kevin Bass and Daniel Warn, who presented the Silver Anniversary Community Service Award to Barry Manilow for his legendary philanthropy and love of community.
Manilow's neighbor and friend Suzanne Somers just happened to be in the neighborhood and dropped in to take part in the introduction.
Manilow passed his praise on to executive director Brinkman, saying, “It's unbelievable how much he has going on — he's amazing!”
The principal sponsor was Walgreens. Major sponsors included Harold Matzner, Wells Fargo, Gregory Seller and Union Bank. Other important sponsors were Jim and Jackie Lee Houston, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Tim Hanlon, Anthony Platt and Barbara and Jerry Keller, which catapulted the proceeds to more than $1 million and counting, all for Desert AIDS Project's vital client services.
The evening culminated in a stunning singing performance by the legendary and forever young Diahann Carroll, accompanied by the Pat Rizzo Orchestra, singing classic numbers like “On a Clear Day” and “Been So Many Places.”
Desert AIDS Project information: call (760) 323-2118, or visit www.desertaidsproject.org.
Barbara Ady is a retired FAA air traffic controller and pilot and is active in many desert charities. She can be reached at bady@dc.rr.com.
Alison Elsner is an executive with both the Palm Springs and Palm Desert YMCAs. She can be reached at 320-6430 or aelsner@desertymca.org.
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