Desert Samaritans Award and Benefit: Starring Rita Rudner

On Saturday evening I attended the "Good Samaritan of the Year" Award Dinner and Benefit for the Desert Samaritans for the Elderly. It was a formal event that began with a silent auction during a cocktail reception. There was a wide variety of interesting items up for bid, with the goal of raising money to help the elderly of the Palm Springs area. The Oxford American Dictionary defines a Good Samaritan as "A genuinely charitable person who goes out of his way to help others". This year's award was presented to Palm Springs resident Harold Matzner, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who owns the popular restaurant Spencer's at the Mountain in Palm Springs, and is also CEO of a major new Jersey-based branding, advertising and marketing firm. The evening was filled with generous people who not only donate money, but time and energy as well. The Desert Samaritans provide a wide range of assistance to the elderly including: financial aid, groceries, wheelchair & ambulatory transportation, buddy visiting program, advocacy and general information and referral services.

Comedian Rita Rudner Entertains

Above: Comedian Rita Rudner performed before dinner and had the audience laughing in no time. Rita Rudner is a popular favorite with the locals; she lived in Palm Desert before moving to Las Vegas a few years ago for her successful show on the strip.

Above left: The event had spectacular fresh floral arrangements everywhere which provided a wonderful atmosphere to the evening. Above right: Each table in the ballroom was set beautifully with fantastic centerpieces.

Above: After Rita Rudner performed, the Johnny Meza band provided live music throughout the night, along with vocalist Lola Rossi. It was a fun evening that ended up raising a lot of money for the Desert Samaritans for the Elderly.

-Rick Rockhill