Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus kicks off school supply drive. Here’s how you can help – Desert Sun
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) has launched its school supplies drive as part of the “Chorus Cares” program, which provides outreach initiatives throughout the Coachella Valley.
In an effort to help school-age kids, “Chorus Cares” school supplies drive is gathering much needed items for two local elementary schools for the 2022-23 school year.
Community members can drop off supplies in-person Saturday, July 23, or Saturday, July 30, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on both days at the Mizell Center parking lot, 480 S. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs. Look for the PSGMC tent and chorus volunteers.
For a touch-less drop-off, donors can put supplies in their trunks and chorus members will take them out.
Items needed include pencils, glue sticks (not hot glue sticks), plastic pencil or pen holders, child scissors, spiral notebooks (large rule), paper folders, crayons (8-24 per pack) and loose-leaf notebook paper (large rule).
Donations of cash, check or credit card will also be accepted. Cash and checks can be put in an envelope labeled “Chorus Cares” and dropped off at the Mizell Center at the designated date and times. PSGMC will also have its “Dip Jar” onsite, enabling people to donate in increments of $20.
Credit card donations can be made on the chorus website at psgmc.com by clicking the “Chorus Cares” link under the “Give/Donate” tab. School supplies will be purchased with the monies received.
After all of the items have been donated and the chorus has categorized them, the drop off of school supplies will take place Aug. 8 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to Vista del Monte Elementary school in Palm Springs and Aug. 10 to Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Indio.
“The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is excited to once again help the kids at Coachella Valley elementary schools by doing our school supplies drive,” said Victor Culatta, PSGMC Community Outreach committee chair.
“While singing is our forte, our mission includes supporting the culturally diverse community in which we live. The school supplies drive is one of the tangible outreach initiatives, which reflect our values to promote civic responsibility, life-long learning and singing. We invite you to join us in our efforts to collect much needed school supplies for two local elementary schools. The generous support of our community never ceases to amaze me.”
Now in its 24th season, PSGMC has given back to its community through the George Zander Memorial Anti-bullying Fund as well as by providing grants to gay-straight alliances in the Coachella Valley school districts, organizing food and baby supply drives for Martha’s Village & Kitchen, making PPE masks for Eisenhower Health, raising more than $12,000 in 2021 for the Desert AIDS Walk and much more.
Through musical excellence, community outreach and civic responsibility, PSGMC seeks to entertain, inspire and educate the culturally diverse community in which we live.
For more information on a variety of ways to support or join the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, visit psgmc.com. Press inquiries should be directed to Jeff Hocker at (760) 409-1530 or jeffhocker1@gmail.com.
Jeff Hocker is a publicist and marketing specialist for the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus.