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September 2014 - Executive Director Message
 | | Sarah and Dazzle |
The saying "time flies when you're having fun" is certainly applicable to this month's message. It has been quite a pleasurable learning experience to have been selected, and to serve, as the Executive Director for Guide Dogs of the Desert. When I came to the organization at the end of August, 2013, my only previous experience with the school was from a volunteer's perspective, dating back to the 1990s. What a difference in the school and its programs and services during that 15 year separation! One thing has remained a constant: providing custom trained guide dogs at no cost to the individual who is blind/visually impaired.
We have had a terrific summer and look forward to autumn with a couple of tweaks
and changes. The next class of applicants arrive September 28 for their 4-week in-residence training with their assigned guide dogs. Mark your calendar for Guide Dogs Graduation - Sunday, October 26, 3:00 PM - Palm Springs Air Museum (note the time and change of location for this graduation only). In addition to celebrating the students in the class, it will be a pleasure to recognize three of career-change dogs and their handlers.
Another change is Heroes Brunch . . . now Paws for Independence - A Dinner Event. Being held at Spencer's Restaurant on Wednesday, November 19 - 6:00 PM - this special dinner will benefit the Guide Dogs of the Desert Training Program and feature graduate (May 2014) Steve Welker (and Orbit) as the guest speaker. It promises to be a wonderful evening.
Also in the works is a "Yappy Hour" at the Palm Springs Nicolino's Restaurant during October, a Motorcycle Run in Palm Springs and Mutt Strut in Los Angeles in November, with another Guide Dogs Graduation in December, in addition to Jensen's Lobsterfest and Santa Paws Run in Palm Springs, in December. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful community support to train dogs to be placed for safe mobility, companionship, and independence.
So thank YOU - for all you do in participating and supporting the mission of Guide Dogs of the Desert . . . providing custom trained guide dogs for the blind, and those with special needs, for safe mobility, companionship and independence.
Look forward to seeing YOU soon!
Sarah Clapp
Executive Director |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
to benefit
 SAVE THESE DATES
Bob's Big Boy
Thursday, September 18, 2014
from 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
540 Sandalwood (at I-10)
Calimesa (this location only)
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Guide Dogs of the Desert
Graduation or call 760-329-6257
for more event details
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Guide Dogs Of The Desert will be receiving a $81.07 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between April 1 and June 30, 2014.Thank you for your support!!
Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Guide Dogs of the Desert every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices,
vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Guide Dogs of the Desert!
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Receptionists: Wellness
Center/Kennel
Monday - FridayHours are flexible!!
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Volunteers needed to
help clean the kennels
daily from 8am-12pm
Please contact Jennifer at
760-329-7366 or email her at
jpinder@gddca.org
_____________________ Guide Dogs of the Desert would
like to thank its sponsors
for their support
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Guide Dogs of the Desert is a Lions California Multiple District Endorsed
project and an
approved Lions Club
International project.
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Bob's Big Boy Dinner
 Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 4pm-9pm
Bob's Big Boy
540 Sandalwood (at I-10) - Calimesa (this location only)
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Guide Dogs of the Desert
Sponsorship Opportunities
Would you like to know about our sponsorship opportunities? Please Click Here for more information! |
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Receptionists needed!
We are in need of receptionists! Do you have a few hours one day a week to answer phones at Guide Dogs of the Desert? Please contact Curt Bergeron at 760-329-6257 and let us know your availability.
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Ralph's Community Contribution Program
 Ralphs is committed to giving $2 Million Dollars during the next 12 months to various organizations. Help support Guide Dogs of the Desert so we might participate in that generous donation.
The new program begins September 1st, 2014. You will need to re-register after September 1st to contribute to this program. Please re-register here: www.ralphs.com.Thank you for supporting Guide Dogs of the Desert!
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Guide Dogs of the Desert
Partners with Custom
Canines Service Dog Academy
For PTS, autism and medical alert training and placement.
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Board of Directors
Albert T. Milauskas, MD - Chair
Leonard Sigdestad, DVM - Vice Chair
Cynthia Woods - Secretary
Clark Hallren - Treasurer
Patricia Craine
Phil Dombrowski
Jim Klocek
Raymond McLean
Sha Newman
Bob Niez
Honorary Board Members
Peter Marshall
Kit and Arnold Palmer
Dick Van Patten
Tom Sullivan
Betty White
Our Staff
Management Team
Sarah Clapp
Executive Director
Trina Began
Canine Development
Curt Bergeron
Finance, Facilities & Operations
Lori Miller
Breeding & Canine Development
Bob Wendler
Administration
Debbie Sloss-Coyle
Database Manager
Marjorie Griffith
Part-Time Admin. Assistant
Shean Pao
Creative Manager
Linda Samulski
Student Services
Kennel Manager
Angela Coleman
Cheri Duncan
Mike McCullough
Licensed Guide Dog Mobility Instructors & Orientation
& Mobility Instructors
Emily Goodland
Michal Anna Padilla
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P.O. Box 1692
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Training Facility
60-735 Dillon Road
Whitewater, CA 92282
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: 760-329-6257
Fax: 760-329-2866
Toll free: 888-883-0022
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Donor Spotlight
Donald Vandermeer
Planned Giving/Volunteer/Humanitarian
Since 2007, Don Vandermeer has been a quiet, unassuming but very dependable asset to Guide Dogs of the Desert - sharing his time, treasure and talent.
When Don's beloved wife passed away, "I started looking around for something to do," he stated. "In talking with some folks here (in the community) I learned about Guide Dogs of the Desert." Don came to the school, interviewed and was accepted as a volunteer, and started his volunteer career - walking the dogs, twice a week.
"The dogs were always so excited to see me show up," he said, chuckling. "They knew they were going to get a good walk, I guess. I got pretty attached to some and while it was hard to watch them go (for formal training) or be adopted, I knew they were going to give good service."
Born in Colorado, with a move to Detroit as a child where his father got work, the family ultimately relocated to California where Don finished growing up. He enlisted in the Navy and it was during boot camp that the war ended in Germany. While he trained as a small boat operator, he was transferred to a landing craft, delivering supplies and personnel to other ships anchored in Pearl Harbor. "I then served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey, which was heavily involved in the conquest of the Marianas."
When Japan surrendered, Don stayed on in Hawaii, finishing his Navy appointment and, upon discharge, returned to California. He married, had a successful career which culminated in the swimming pool business. "Three other friends and I bought up this (business) and it did really well. Our business covered four counties. When it was time to retire, I got out of that business, and we moved to Banning, to warm up."
Though Don has been sidelined as a volunteer due to health issues, he is still a quiet presence at events and graduations. Thank you, Don Vandermeer, for dependably walking the puppies and dogs, for your continued interest and support of Guide Dogs of the Desert, and for your service in the US Navy. We truly appreciate you and all you have done to make great things happen!
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OCTOBER GRADUATION!
 October 26, 2014
3:00 pm
Palm Springs Air Musuem
745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA
Graduating Veteran's of the Armed Forces |
Graduate Spotlight
Sandy Esposito
 | | Sandy and Bobbie |
This month Guide Dogs of the Desert shines the Graduate Spotlight on Sandy Esposito who graduated in 2008 with guide dog, Bobbie.
"Wherever I go, Bobbie is right by my side," states Sandy, "always doing a great job guiding me as we have fun and volunteer in our community." Sandy, husband Joey, and Bobbie reside in Colorado.
Sandy immensely enjoys music, especially singing, writing, and traveling. She and Joey are very active in their community church. Although she lost her vision while going to college, this didn't stop her from receiving her Master's Degree in music and counseling.
In 2004, she became an ordained minister and has done numerous inspirational speaking engagements throughout the United States, as well as in Spain.
Sandy, Bobbie and Joey dedicate their lives full-time to fundraising for Guide Dogs Of The Desert. They have joyfully raised over $55,000 since graduating in 2008. "Bobbie is my events coordinator" Sandy says, "She wins people's hearts wherever we go."
Sandy has a very special place in her heart for those who have served our country and are in need of a guide dog. She is looking forward to attending the next Guide Dogs of the Desert graduation on October 26 at the Palm Springs Air Museum which will include a number of veterans.
Sandy's guiding mantra is: "Reach for the stars, the worst that can happen is you'll land on the clouds."
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Volunteer Spotlight
Myra Fluty
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Myra Fluty
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During the early 1990's, through the National Charity League membership, Myra Fluty and her daughter, Lindsay, would come to Guide Dogs of the Desert - walk puppies and assisted at events and graduations. A part of Myra's "heart" has retained the passion for the puppies in Guide Dogs' program.
Myra and her husband, Tim, are both retired educators, having taught at schools in the Palm Springs Unified School District. Myra was a regular and special education teacher and, in her 39 year career as a teacher, 32 years were in the Palm Springs District.
During a social event last December, Myra indicated to Executive Director, Sarah Clapp, that "if you need some volunteer help, I would love to get reacquainted with Guide Dogs of the Desert." Sarah knew how to best utilize Myra's exceptional organizational skills - assisting Director of Canine Development, Trina Began - tracking the puppy growth/development, and managing pictures and communication to the sponsors. "It's been quite a learning experience and it's fun to watch the puppies now growing up from the recent litters," exclaims Myra.
In addition to volunteering at Guide Dogs of the Desert, Myra is active as a volunteer for the Ophelia Project (mentoring at-risk middle school girls), serves as an officer in Alpha Delta Kappa (women educator's sorority), and participates in the California Retired Teachers Association. Her hobbies include reading, quilting, painting and gardening.
Tim and Myra have two (adult) children - son Josh (and his family) live in San Diego. Lindsay now resides in Savannah, Georgia.
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Guide Dogs of the Desert 2015 Calendars
The 2015 Calendars have arrived and are available for purchase. $5.00 each.
Shipping is $2.25
per calendar.
Call 760-329-6257 to order yours today!
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Special Summer Needs
Thanks to your generosity, we only have a few needs left for the Kennel Department and Breeding Center. Help keep our puppies and dogs happy and healthy this summer. Below is a list of specific needs from our Kennel Department and Breeding Center.
Deluxe Full tread Aluminum Dog Crates with Rubber Mats
- $1,375.00 (with shipping and tax). Quantity needed (8).
Please call Curt to underwrite one of or part of the following:
Kool Fog Misting System - $5,000. Quantity needed: 1
Troy Bilt 2800-PSI Gas Pressure Washer with Briggs and Stratton Engine - $319.00. Quantity needed: 1
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Alaska Cruise to support
Guide Dogs of the Desert!
7-Day Inside Passage on the
Ruby Princess Embark: 07/12/2015
Disembark: 07/19/2015
PRICING STARTING AT:
Interior: $949
Ocean View: $1,599
Balcony: $1,799
Other categories available
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Banning Newspaper Features Hanley
We'd like to share the first installment of Hanley's Story.
 | | Linda and Bill Hanley |
Hanley, the newest guide dog puppy-in-training to grace the Pass area from Guide Dogs of the Desert, has begun training.
Hanley is 3-months-old and is being sponsored by Banning residents, Linda and Bill Hanley - hence the name. In weeks to come readers will follow Hanley around the Pass area and his outings outside of the area. These outings are designed to broaden his socialization and training process.
Hanley will attend many local events and activities as he learns to be a well- behaved dog, in preparation for formal training as a guide dog. In the beginning Hanley will wear a small blue jacket that reads, "Puppy In Training." As he grows he will get a larger jacket that reads, "Guide Dog in Training." He will wear these jackets when he is out in public as he is exposed to restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls etc.
When residents see Hanley out in public they should always remember to ask if they may pet him. Even though he is young he is still in training and people must never go up to a service animal without permission. He is in training to be a working service dog.
Hanley will be raised until he is 18 to 20-months-old and will then return to the school, Guide Dogs of the Desert, for his formal guide training in the hope of being matched with a blind companion.
Hanley is being raised by Cherry Valley resident Laura Myring. Myring has been a puppy raiser for six years and Hanley is the fifth dog she is raising. Two of the dogs she raised became guide dogs, one was a career change dog for other service, and one is now in formal guide training. Myring is a retired Riverside Superior Court employee.
Linda Hanley has been Citizen of the Year in both Banning and Beaumont and is vice president of the Bank of Hemet. She serves on five local boards in the community and is active in the local chambers. Guide Dogs of the Desert provides guide dogs for the blind, and those with special needs, for safe mobility, companionship and independence. Located just outside Palm Springs this non-profit provides the dog and all related training and services at no cost to the blind client.
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Santa Paws 5k 2014
December 20
 Attention Puppy Raisers!
We are looking for GDD Puppy Raisers to help with Santa's Wish List! Last year the Santa Paws 5K Run/Walk raised over $17,000 for Guide Dogs of the Desert! This year we want to double that amount and we need your help. This is a simple and easy way to show your support. You can simply donate money to sponsor an item on the wish list. Your name and item sponsored will be displayed on the Sponsor Board at this year's event. You can even sponsor an item in honor of someone.
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