September 18, 2009
By AldrichH M. Tan / THE DESERT SUN
The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has raised at least 30 percent of the money needed to build a larger building, and an upcoming concert at the Eldorado Polo Club will help it reach its goal.
Proceeds from the "Under the Stars - A Tribute to Motown Doo-Wop" on Sept. 26 will benefit the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, concert organizers announced last week.
Darla Burkett, the mission's executive director, said she is honored that the event will raise money for her organization.
"Their help will not only enlarge the community's knowledge of the Rescue Mission," she said, "but also financially help all the people in need."
The rescue mission has been trying to raise $12 million to build a 35,000-square-foot facility with more amenities that would be located across from its current 9,500-square-foot facility.
The organization has raised $3.7 million so far and will break ground once organizers raise 80 percent of the funds, development director Greg Fisher said last week.
The concert, featuring artists who have performed with famous doo-wop groups like The Temptations and The Marvelletes, is expected to raise from $6,000 to $7,000 for the rescue mission, concert organizer Jan Jacques said last week.
He is promoting the concert with Robert Castaneda, a friend from his music industry days. The two began planning the concert after they ran into each other at a local casino in August.
Jacques said he wanted the concert to raise money for charity and Castaneda suggested the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.
Castaneda, the former owner of Robbie T's Sports Bar and Grill, used to bring leftover food from catering events to the Indio homeless shelter.
"These people not only help homeless people, but they are also helping people who do not have jobs right now," he said. "They are doing all these things for the community, and in my heart, I wanted to take care of them."
Other fundraisers for the rescue mission have been planned and include a golf tournament set for Jan. 19 at Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, Fisher said.
The Rescue Mission will also receive proceeds from the Dancing with Our Stars event on Nov. 8 in La Quinta.
The Jensen's Finest Foods grocery store chain also recently signed up for a Valley Merchant Program to raise money for the Rescue Mission, Fisher said.
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