Help the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus help back-to-school kids

The Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus (PSGMC) is holding its fifth annual school supplies drive.

"Chorus Cares" is a PSGMC program that provides outreach initiatives throughout the Coachella Valley. As a way of giving back to the community by helping school-aged kids, "Chorus Cares" will be gathering school supplies for two elementary schools to help kick off the 2024-25 school year.

Gathered supplies will be delivered to Two Bunch Palms Elementary School in Desert Hot Springs on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m. and to Andrew Jackson Elementary School in Indio on Friday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m.

Needed items include 1.5-inch binders, pencils (along with pencil pouches, pencil boxes, erasers and colored pencils), glue sticks (not hot glue sticks), child scissors, spiral notebooks (large rule), paper folders, crayons (8-24 per pack), Expo dry erase markers (thick and fine), Sharpies in all colors, loose-leaf notebook paper (large rule), composition books, index cards, construction paper, paint brushes and backpacks.

Community members can drop off supplies in-person on the following dates at the following locations:

Steel Gym, 1751 North Sunrise, Palm Springsdaily through Aug. 31 (6 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Dollar Tree, 1717 East Vista Chino, Palm SpringsSaturdays: August 17, 24, 31 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Mizell Center, 480 South Sunrise Way, Palm SpringsSaturdays: September 7 and 14 (noon-2 p.m.)

Donations of cash, check or credit card will also be accepted. To give cash or a check, place in an envelope labeled "Chorus Cares" and drop it off at one of the locations. To donate by credit card, visit psgmc.com and click on "Chorus Cares" under the "Give/Donate" tab.

In addition, PSGMC will have its "Dip Jar" onsite, enabling people to donate in increments of $20.

School supplies will be purchased with all monies received.

Those who prefer to order school supplies online may have them sent to PSGMC c/o Sergio Pena, 1150 East Palm Canyon Drive, Unit #7, Palm Springs, Calif. 92264. This address is for mail order only, no drop offs.

"The Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus is thrilled to announce the launch of our fifth annual school supplies drive," said Pena, PSGMC's community outreach committee chair. "While singing is our forte, our mission includes supporting the culturally diverse community in which we live. This drive is one of the most tangible outreach initiatives, which reflects our values to promote civic responsibility, life-long learning and singing. We invite the entire community to join us in our efforts to collect much-needed school supplies for two local deserving elementary schools.”

About the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus

Since 1999, PSGMC has given back to its community through anti-bullying grants to gay/straight alliances in the school districts, collecting household items for those less fortunate, holding toy and school supplies drives and so much more. In addition, the chorus has performed for Greater Palm Springs Pride, Cathedral City LGBT Days, the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, Palm Desert Sunday Sounds and Tour de Palm Springs.

In November 2016, Palm Springs Pride honored PSGMC by naming it Organization of the Year, and in 2018 the city of Palm Springs recognized PSGMC as the Official Gay Men's Chorus of Palm Springs.

Through musical excellence, community outreach and civic responsibility, PSGMC seeks to entertain, inspire and educate the culturally diverse community in which we live.

For more information on how to support or join the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus, visit psgmc.com .

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Help the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus help back-to-school kids