33rd Annual Dinner on the Desert
More than 630 supporters and friends of Desert Botanical Garden gathered April 27 for the 33rd Annual Dinner on the Desert, the Garden’s major fundraiser. The event exceeded its goal of $450,000 in contributions to support all areas of the Garden, which is celebrating its 80th year as a resource to help visitors appreciate the wonders of the desert and protect it for future generations.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and the opportunity to bid in an exclusive garden-themed auction. After dinner, which was catered by Copper Square Kitchen/Hyatt Regency Phoenix, they experienced Electric Desert | A Light and Sound Experience by Klip Collective. Violinists Teresa Joy, Rachelle Romeo and Alex Oliverio provided musical performances. The after-party also featured Silent Disco from VOX DJs.
Funds raised will directly benefit the Garden’s work to protect cactus, one of the most threatened groups of living organisms.
PHOTOS COURTESY DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
Guests enjoying dinner under the stars
Jan Lewis, Sandi Williams and Ardie Evans
John Hamilton and Tammy McLeod, board president-elect
Seated: Jeffrey D. McKeever, Marilyn and Dale Lillard and Rex Short. Standing: Trustee Tahnia McKeever, Robert Loeb, Pamela Steele and Ginna Short
Seated: Trustee Kimber Lanning, Ellen Solowey, Mark and Debra Vanderwerf, Board President Shellie Cohn, Deb Carstens and George Poste. Standing: Lorenzo Perez, Miki Garcia, Donna Rossi, Mollie Trivers and Nicole Stanton
