Mark your calendars to help celebrate some of Palm Springs’ most unselfish and extraordinary leaders and organizations in helping promote and protect human rights for all.

At 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission will present its annual Community Service Awards to seven individuals and organizations for “Promoting Universal Human Rights Close to Home.”

The ceremony will be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The public is welcome to attend.

This year’s recipients are:

• Lucy Debardelaben & Gail Christian — Palm Springs humanitarians Lucy and Gail are recognized for advocating for women through music. Together, they raise awareness of the diversity and talent of world-class female musicians who traditionally struggle for recognition and employment.
• Ruth Debra — Community organizer and lifelong civil rights advocate. Ruth has been deeply involved in civil rights and peace and justice movements since she was in high school. She is also well known in the community as a founding member of the L-Fund and the first female Chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats. She also sits on the National Steering Committee for Old Lesbians Organizing for Change.
Brad Fuhr – Founder and publisher of the Gay Desert Guide. Brad aligns business goals and initiatives with causes and social issues that benefit the wider community. From supporting and promoting youth housing, access to health services along with a variety of social services, Fuhr is always there to lend a hand.
Goldie Jacoby — Holocaust survivor and volunteer at the Tolerance Education Center. Goldie shares history of surviving the Holocaust during World War II and delivers a message of courage and hope to youth in the community.
Mike Radford — Founder of the California Highway Patrol toy drive for kids. Officer Radford is recognized for making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Coachella Valley.
Senior Advocates of the Desert — The Coachella Valley’s only non-profit social service organization that is dedicated to exclusively helping low-income seniors obtain the government benefits to which they are entitled. From benefit advocacy to providing emergency financial assistance, their work results in seniors receiving a livable income, having food in the kitchen, and a safe comfortable place to live.
• Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley (MCCCV) – MCCCV is recognized for its radical call for acceptance and celebration of human diversity. Since 1968, MCCCV has advocated for equality, human rights and social justice. In addition, the church is well known for being one of the first to perform same-sex marriages and for suing the state of California (first in 1971) to recognize marriage equality.

The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is a nine-member commission of volunteer citizens, appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. It meets at 3 p.m. on the second Monday each month at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public and anyone with a human rights issue or question is invited to participate and speak during the public comments.