Enjoy Fine Dining and Make a Difference at AAP – Food Samaritans’ 26th Gala Event Evening Under the Stars
Written By: Dr. Paula Familetti
Photography Provided By: AAP – Food Samaritans 26th Annual Evening Under the Stars Gala By AAP
Described as a “quintessentially Palm Springs event,” the 26th annual Evening Under the Stars gala will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the historic O’ Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs. This gala is the biggest fundraiser of the year for AAP – Food Samaritans and will support the nutritional needs of low-income people suffering with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses in the Coachella Valley.
26th Annual Evening Under the Stars Gala By AAP
#1 | Eat, Drink and Do Good
This gala is unlike any fundraising gala in the Coachella Valley. Guests arrive just as the sun is dipping behind the San Jacinto Mountains. The cocktail party features four massive vodka martini ice sculptures also known as vodka luges. Vodka is poured over or through the sculpture and a martini comes out the other end. Trays of delectable hors d’oeuvres, catered by Savoury’s, pass among the guests during the cocktail party.
#2 | Honorable Mentions
This year, Ruta Lee will receive the Jeannette Rockefeller Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the founding president of AAP – Food Samaritans. Widely recognized for her humanitarian work, Lee is committed to raising awareness and funding for AAP – Food Samaritans. Ron deHarte, President of Greater Palm Springs Pride, will be honored with the Herb Lazenby Community Service Award for his organization’s work, which brings in an estimated $22 million to the local economy annually. Sharing the Gloria Greene Inspiration Award for their long commitment to AAP – Food Samaritans and Evening Under the Stars are Glenn Johnson and Michael Melancon. “In their 21 years together they have donated in excess of one million dollars to various charities in Palm Springs, Seattle, across the United States and around the world.”
#3 | Let Us Entertain You
Featuring some of the original musicians from ABBA, tribute band ARRIVAL will entertain you and get you dancing with ABBA originals like “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “S.O.S.,” “Fernando” and “Mamma Mia.” You can break out your best, rusty disco moves. Flag dancers will also bedeck three stages on the mammoth triangular bar.
#4 | Light up the Night
Make sure to stay until the end of the evening and enjoy the traditional fireworks display. This spectacular takes place on the golf course with the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains as the backdrop.
#5 | Impeccable Service
The service at Evening Under the Stars is flawless. Although there will be over one-hundred tables, each will have a dedicated server to make sure you want for nothing. Don’t fill up on the hors d’oeuvres—the full course dinner consists of salad, a main course and dessert.
#6 | Do Your Best John Travolta Impression
On the dance floor, set up by the main stage, platform shoes and silk shirts are the attire for the evening. Remember Angels Flight disco pants? You can still get them online. Blue and gold are the festive colors for the evening. Guests are encouraged to bedazzle!
#7 | Fun-Raising
Founded in 1991, AAP – Food Samaritans began with a mission to help people living with low incomes who are also suffering from HIV/AIDS. The late Gloria Greene, realizing there was a problem, began serving people in need out of the back of her restaurant. Presently AAP – Food Samaritans distributes food vouchers to 2,300 clients a month. To date, they have delivered more than $10 million in services.
