The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild hosted its 22nd Annual Gala, themed "Come Fly With Me, The Flight of Hope," at the iconic Palm Springs Air Museum on Thursday, February 29. The event rallied support for Coachella Valley children and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, offering a night of entertainment, inspiration, and charitable giving.
The gala raised more than $175,000, contributing to the care of over 2,500 children treated for life-threatening illnesses at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
"I feel privileged to collaborate with an extraordinary community, whose selflessness, genuine passion, and boundless generosity form the heartbeat of our mission to support the well-being of children at LLUCH," said Jill Green, Guilds Coordinator at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation.
CJ Westrick-Bomar, a Lifetime Member of BHLH Desert Guild, took on the role of chair for the gala. In her address, she introduced a video highlighting the work of Children’s Hospital. She informed the audience that, since the Desert Guild's commitment to raise $1 million, they have already raised over $500,000. This significant fundraising effort is aimed at supporting Children’s Hospital in finding a cure and providing treatment for pediatric cancer patients.
Boutique vendors from Southern California offered various items, including jewelry, imitation furs, sunglasses, purses, and clothing. Part of the proceeds from these sales directly benefited the Desert Guild's mission.
The evening featured live music, a program highlighting the story of Mohammad Kahala, a brave 4-year-old patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and medical insight into childhood cancers by keynote speaker Dr. Albert Kheradpour, Mohammad's oncologist, and chief of pediatric hematology/oncology at LLUCH.
The fundraising activities included live and silent auctions. The event also took a moment to honor and celebrate key donors and volunteers, including Chuck and Karlyn Boppell, Suzanne and David Etheridge, and Linda Rider, recognizing their commitment to the welfare of children.
Terri Olsen and the Perfect Blend, along with Frank DiSalvo, provided entertainment for the night. KESQ Anchor Peter Daut served as Master of Ceremonies, guiding the audience through the night's proceedings.
With a rich history spanning 22 years, the Desert Guild has raised more than $11.5 million for the Children's Hospital. The annual event marked a night of celebration and generosity and reinforced the community's dedication to ensuring the well-being of the little hearts who need it most.
For more information about the Desert Guild, contact Jill Green at 909-651-9849 or JMGreen@llu.edu.
