Temecula's Stars Of The Valley Gala Weekend Tees Off Friday With Golf Tourney, Gala Sat.

TEMECULA, CA — Charity for Charity, a Temecula-based wish-fulfilling organization, expands their Stars of the Valley event in 2022 with a golf tournament. All will be held at Pechanga Resort and Casino starting this Friday, organizers say. Stars of the Valley's founder, Charity Prestifilippo, hopes the tournament will become an annual part of her gala event.

Prestifilippo and staff have been in preparations for a year, delaying their 15th event due to the pandemic. In the fall of 2021, a pre-gala fundraiser with dueling pianos held at Monteleone Meadows in Murrieta got the ball rolling to restart the event.

Families in need require support now more than ever, according to the organization.

Stars of the Valley started in wine country with a red carpet and award-ceremony festivities to raise funds for and shower up to three beneficiaries a year with make-a-wish style gifts. Each beneficiary is a person or family who is walking a difficult road after suffering life changes through illness or disability.

In 2022, the Stars of the Valley beneficiaries are Romello Ray, Rachel Skinner and Todd Hilton.

Ray was just 16-years-old when he was struck by a car. Now at age 17, he is nonverbal and confined to his wheelchair.

Skinner was diagnosed with 2B Osteosarcoma. In 2020, the cancer spread, resulting in a full leg amputation. Now, she is battling stage 4 Metastatic Ostosarcoma.

Hilton, a former Temecula area teacher, suffered a stroke in the classroom. He is wheelchair bound, working to recover.

Starting Friday, the Charity for Charity team of dedicated volunteers— along with past beneficiaries and their families— will shower each of these beneficiaries with the desires of their heart and a whole lot of support through the golf and gala event.

During the weekend event, gifts and auction items will raise additional funds for the program that has operated in the area for 15 years.

Golf Tournament Friday, Gala Event Saturday

The Stars of the Valley golf tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

Each hole sponsored by an area business or foundation, and food will be served, both from Great Harvest to Starbucks, Grazing Theory to In and Out Burger, the Mexico Cafe, Bottega Italia, Nothing Bundt Cakes and more as golfers pass by. Past beneficiaries will be chauferred around in golf carts, and the present beneficiaries will also be there for the day, they say. All golfing awards will be handed out Saturday at the gala.

With the pandemic, the gala itself will see some changes, with mixing and mingling, but gala-goers can expect the same attention to detail they've grown accustomed to. In the end, it's all about the beneficiaries, who will be blessed with the wishes of their hearts thanks to the dedicated efforts of Prestifilippo says.

"Charity for Charity beneficiaries are some of the most incredible individuals you’ll ever meet," she wrote on the organization's website.

Each beneficiary is either struggling with a life-threatening illness or a traumatic injury.

"What we have found, is that these individuals are the most positive, non-complaining, humble and determined humans you could ever meet," she says. "Whether they are surrounded by family, friends or have none, these special people come to us with a smile, even amid some tears. They all share the positive attitude that they will overcome and fight the good fight."

The Why Behind Stars Of The Valley

"When you are dealing with a life-threatening illness or traumatic injury, you are not at a place financially, emotionally or otherwise, to do something you’ve always dreamed to do," she writes. "But, when someone surprises you with a wish, you are obligated to accept and participate without guilt. Our wishes are so much more then wishes, for some, it takes them out of the pain and struggle for even just a moment. For others, its their family's last special memory to treasure."