Friends & Champions Celebrate Connecting To Each Other

Over 200 guests gathered at Rancho Mirage’s exclusive Villa De Martini for “Friends & Champions” on November 10, 2021 to Connect to Each Other and celebrate Friends of the Desert Mountains’ mission of helping others Connect to the Land.

Friends’ Executive Director Tammy Martin presented the Bright Lights Award to the family of Friends’ former volunteer Sue Adams to acknowledge the land the family bequeathed to Friends some time ago. This land lies along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla near Thermal, and is slated to be an educational center for youth and others.

Chef Tony Riccio treated everyone to a delicious sit-down meal, and wines were provided by RD RNNR Libations, Pints & Plates in the lovely courtyard of Villa De Martini. The eminently charming Emcee & Auctioneer Lenny Broberg not only helped Friends meet and exceed fundraising goals, he kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the evening’s brief program.

CHECK OUT THE FRIENDS & CHAMPIONS PHOTO GALLERY HERE!

Thank you to our many Partners whose contributions make the event even more successful!

TAHQUITZ MOUNTAIN

Sheldon and Kathy Coleman

SANTA ROSA MOUNTAIN

Keith Driscoll Farms

Westmount Asset Management

MARTINEZ MOUNTAIN

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

City of Rancho Mirage

RD RNNR Libations Pints & Plates

Terra Nova

HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN

Red River Land Company

Bob & Teri Hargreaves

Betsy Farver

Cheryl McKinley

Rob & Joan Taylor

Dr. Robert Reed

Gordon & Linda Fidler

Gonda+Co.

Best Best & Krieger

Desert Riders Trail Fund, Inc.

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians

BAR SPONSORS

Chandler’s Sand & Gravel

Granite Construction

Leon’s Landscaping & Tree Service, Inc.

Richard & Natalie Shonerd

Pete & Joyce Teel

USLandLink

PADDLE SPONSOR

Desert Valley Builders Association/DVBA

In-Kind & Miscellaneous Donations

Jody Arens

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Big Wheel Tours

Bright Event Rentals

Terry & Joe Ceja

Frank Gaeta

Lesley Getz

Gary & Nancy Gilmore

Mark Glassman

Lori Green

Paul & Linda Hayne

Linda Iannone

LaQuinta Brewing

Mike & Kathleen Lewis

Connor Limont

Barbara MacCready

Laura Marvin

Cheryl McKinley

Ada Nuckels

Jane Olsen

Phillip Paley

J. Russ Phillips

Scott & Linda Pyle

RD RNNR

Christina Riebe

Ellyn Ruttan

Villa De Martini

Ellen R. Woods

Tania Young