Gay Men’s Chorus Starts School Supplies Drive

Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is once again doing what it is well-known for doing – other than sing. It is giving back to the community, something it has done since 1999.

Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus has rich history of giving back through anti-bullying grants, food drives, PPE mask making, collecting household items for those less fortunate, raising more than $15,000 in 2019 for the Desert AIDS Walk and more.

Now it’s behind “Chorus Cares,” a new Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus program to complete Outreach Initiatives throughout the Coachella Valley. “Chorus Cares” launches with a School Supplies Drive for two elementary schools to collect the supplies needed for the 2020-2021 school year, regardless of whether it is online or in-person.

The two schools that will benefit from “Chorus Cares” are Bubbling Wells Elementary in Desert Hot Springs and Martin Van Buren Elementary in Indio.

Items needed are: pencils, glue sticks, plastic pencil/pen holders, child scissors, spiral notebooks (large rule), paper folders, crayons (8 – 16 per pack), loose-leaf notebook paper (large rule).

“Chorus Cares” launches, Wednesday, July 15 with three ways to donate. Items may be dropped off in person Friday, July 24 or Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., order online or financially support the initiative.

Where & How:

1. Order the supplies online by clicking here and designate Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus as the 501 © 3 and send to PSGMC, 49 Camino Real, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
2. Touchless drop-off at the Mizell Senior Center Parking Lot, 480 South Sunrise Way at the corner of Ramon Road, Palm Springs. Put supplies in your trunk and volunteers will take them out at the drop-off point.
3. Donations of cash/check/cc will also be accepted, put cash or checks in an envelope labeled “Chorus Cares” and drop off at Mizell Senior Center at the designated date and times. Pay by credit card at here and signify “School Supplies Drive.”

“At this particular time, we are not able to do the thing we do best and are most passionate about, singing together in person,” Bill Butler, Outreach Committee Chair, said in a prepared statement. “In response to our community, we are using our vast energy and our membership consisting of over 115 to help the Coachella Valley in a way that is safe for everyone. PSGMC is thrilled to unveil “Chorus Cares” to help our communities who have the greatest needs. We anticipate that this first initiative, our School Supplies Drive, to help 2 elementary schools, one each from the Palm Springs Unified and Desert Sands Unified school districts will be a great success.”

About Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus:

To be a chorus of gay men who, through musical excellence, community outreach and civic responsibility, are dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and educating 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, click here.