11 Senior Citizens Being Honored In Coachella Valley For Their Volunteer Work

INDIAN WELLS, CA — Next week, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez along with the mayors of all Coachella Valley cities will join in hosting the Senior Inspiration Awards, which honor 11 local seniors who actively volunteer on behalf of their communities.

The 34th Annual Senior Inspiration Awards luncheon will be held Friday, March 27, in Indian Wells at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Conference Center.

The honorees are: Regina Caron and Pilar Funez (Riverside County, residents of Idyllwild and Thermal, respectively), Michael Kocan (Cathedral City), Refugio Sanchez (Coachella), Daniel Coward (Desert Hot Springs), Greg Renker (Indian Wells), Raquell Harris (Indio), Kathleen O’Regan (La Quinta), Carla Sullivan-Dilley (Palm Desert), David Hyams (Palm Springs) and William Sachs (Rancho Mirage).

Tickets for the event are on sale now for $55 per person, which includes lunch and dessert alongside the awards program. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or on Supervisor Perez’s webpage, www.rivco4.org. A table of 10 can be reserved for $550.

Each year, over 500 people attend the event, which recognizes the honorees’ ongoing service and the inspiration they provide to people of all ages to get involved in an organization that helps their community, according to Perez's office.

It’s also an event that gives back to the community, as each honoree donates $1,000, provided by the Regional Access Project Foundation, to a local charity of their choice, according to Perez's office.

“The Senior Inspiration Awards is an event that has an impact, inspiring us all to work towards making our communities better,” Perez said. “It’s always a fun time, a beautiful occasion and seniors love it!”

Lunch includes salad, chicken entrée or vegetarian entrée upon request, and dessert, along with complimentary refreshments.

Guests can come as early as 10 a.m. to enjoy an assortment of activities including a “flower bar” where guests can make custom bouquets, game stations such as lotería and dominoes with prizes and giveaways. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and the awards program concludes by 1:30 p.m.

The program will be emceed by Emmy-winning communicator Brooke Beare along with Hernán Quintas, anchor and journalist, Telemundo 15 - KESQ.

Those interested in being a sponsor can contact Supervisor Perez’s office at 760-863-8211.