Palm Springs
Happy New Year, Palm Springs! I’ve got another date for you to add to those brand new 2018 calendars—a spectacular time for a fabulous cause! Mizell Senior Center is gearing up for its annual Stars Among Us Gala on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The Stars Among Us Gala has become one of the most sought-after and best-attended gala fundraising events in the Coachella Valley. Each year, the Gala replicates a significant concert experience, including the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, the Supremes at the Coconut Grove, and an Evening at the Apollo Theater. The 2018 Stars Among Us Gala will transform the Palm Springs Air Museum into the elegant streets of London, where guests will enjoy themed cocktails and a magnificent silent auction. Then, it is off to Central London and a recreation of the world-famous London Palladium, where they will experience a scrumptious dinner served by Savoury’s Catering. The evening concludes with an explosive performance by the large cast of MJ LIVE, the Las Vegas-based number one Michael Jackson tribute show in the world. Taylor Dayne, best known for her iconic hit “Tell it to My Heart,” performed with Jackson early in her career and will also perform in this tribute to one of the most gifted performers of our time.
This years honorees are G. Aubrey Serfling & Martin Massiello of Eisenhower Medical Center who will receive the Galaxy Award, and Patti & Jack Grundhofer who will receive the Shining Star Award. The Gala not only honors significant achievements by individuals and organizations, but also raises vital funds to support its valley-wide Meals On Wheels program. Mizell Senior Center serves more people through this important program in one day than many organizations serve in an entire year.
Nationally, one in six seniors struggles with hunger, so programs like Meals On Wheels are critical to solving this crisis. The nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks delivered each day are often all it takes to enable seniors to live independently in their own homes. Federal funding for this program only covers about 50% of the actual cost of the daily program, but no senior is ever denied access to the program. Adequately funding Meals On Wheels continues to be one of the highest priorities of Mizell Senior Center, and proceeds from the Stars Among Us Gala directly support this program.
“Mizell Senior Center is proud to honor these long-time supporters of our organization,” said Ginny Foat, Executive Director at Mizell. “G. Aubrey Serfling and Martin Massiello of Eisenhower Medical Center will be presented with the Galaxy Award. Eisenhower Health has been very active in the programming at the Center and has been the presenting sponsor for the Stars Among Us Gala for many years. Our Shining Star award winners, Patti and Jack Grundhofer, not only challenge themselves to succeed in any endeavor they pursue, but also are champions for others to apply their potential and reach their goals. We are so pleased we will be able to honor these supporters at our Gala.”
Co-chaired by Cyma & Leo Cohen, Carol & Dr. Ronald Fragen, and Eric A. Rudolph & Bob Iles, the Stars Among Us Gala is a highlight of the ‘season’ in Palm Springs. Gala tickets are $300 and sponsorships are available. Call 760-323-5689 x112 for more information or click here to buy tickets.
About the Awards and Honorees
The annual Galaxy Award is given to honorees that demonstrate a long-standing commitment to the well-being and enrichment of seniors. These community superstars have made such significant contributions to those around them that their achievement is well known and widespread. Galaxy Award winners have consistently supported Mizell Senior Center and its programs and services. They are outstanding leaders and visionaries who make a difference in their community and leave a lasting legacy through their actions. This year, the Galaxy Award will be presented to Eisenhower Medical Center’s CEO and President G. Aubrey Serfling, President and Chief Executive Officer at Eisenhower Medical Center since 2001 and Martin Massiello Eisenhower Medical Center’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2008. These two individuals were selected for their personal commitments to the ongoing success of Mizell’s programs and their long-term financial support of the organization and its Meals On Wheels nutrition program. Previous Galaxy Award winners include Jewish Family Services and Harold Matzner.
The Shining Star Award is presented to honorees that are enthusiastic idealists, confident in their ability to make positive change and lead others to the greater good. They are creative, hopeful and driven to make our community a better place for all. The 2018 Shining Star Award will be presented to Patti & Jack Grundhofer. The Grundhofers were selected for this honor for their strong commitment to Mizell’s mission and the Meals On Wheels program. The Grundhofers have spent a lifetime encouraging others to explore, to learn and to muster the courage and the discipline to do one’s best. They play a vital role in many Coachella Valley organizations, including the Palm Springs Art Museum and The Living Desert, where Patti serves on the Board of Directors for both organizations. Previous recipients include Fred Noble of Wintec Energy and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
About Mizell Senior Center
Mizell Senior Center has made a commitment that no senior in the Coachella Valley – living alone and at risk for food insecurity – should go hungry. It operates the largest Meals On Wheels Program in the Coachella Valley, serving nearly 500 meals each day (more than 170,000 meals annually) to frail homebound seniors and at nine Valley senior centers from Palm Springs to North Shore Salton Sea. For many of these clients, the Meals On Wheels driver is their only contact with the outside world and critical services they would otherwise be unable to access. In addition to helping area seniors receive sufficient balanced daily nutrition, drivers are trained to recognize issues that may be affecting their clients so that Mizell staff can refer them to available resources. The Mizell Senior Center Meals On Wheels Program is a critical component in the overall health and wellbeing safety net for area seniors. For more information please call 760-323-5689 or visit mizell.org.
