The eighth annual A Few Good Men and Women Gala, benefiting the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House will take place Sept. 27 at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage.
The red carpet event will honor eight distinguished Coachella Valley residents who have made a positive impact their local communities.
Here are the 2024 honorees, in alphabetical order:
Alicia and Herman Lopez, long-time employees of the Riverside Sheriff's Department, understand the importance of public service and giving back. After their son Hunter was killed in action in August 2021 while serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps, they created the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation. Donated funds are used to help those who protect and serve our country.
John Page is an experienced operations professional who serves as senior vice president of Acrisure Arena, the Coachella Valley Firebirds and OVG360 Facilities, where he oversees management of the three entities. Previously, Page served as president of Spectra, where he supported 10,000 employees across the company's portfolio of venues and stadiums. Known for his ability to motivate employees, Page emphasizes a "client first" approach.
Dr. Robert E. Piecuch, a neonatal-perinatal pediatrician at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 30 years. "Dr. Bob" is an expert in treating extremely premature infants. He has published widely on the medical and neuro-developmental outcomes of infants requiring newborn intensive care and serves as chair of the House Staff Curriculum Committee.
Doug Vance initially began with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation as a member of its board of directors and now serves as executive vice president with a focus on the organization's real estate division. During his two-decade tenure with the foundation, Vance has had a proven track record of increasing sales, growth and profitability. Vance proudly served his country as a United States Navy Seabee from 1970-1972.
The executive director of Read With Me Volunteers, Sean Webb has 20 years of experience as a teacher and assistant principal. Most recently, he served as director of the Desert Sands Unified School District's Community Engagement and Education Foundation. His motivational skills, along with being an accomplished fundraiser, grant writer and community leader, have helped enhance the lives students across the Coachella Valley.
From team members and customers to vendors and beyond, Brandini Toffee's Brandon Weimer thrives on real human connections. The family-run business, which Weimer founded in 2006 with a friend, is dedicated to making the best toffee products while giving back to the Coachella Valley. In addition to creating superior toffee, Weimer wants to make a positive impact in the world.
As a leader of the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, Josh N. Zahid oversees and manages 32+ fundraising events per year, which raise more than $500,000 annually to benefit children's services. From 2017 to 2019, Zahid secured $5.3 million to support the building of a new pediatric outpatient clinic to help provide medical and dental services to underserved Coachella Valley children.
This year's ceremony and gala will include a red carpet entrance, cocktails, dinner, live auction, silent auction and the award presentation. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, visit one.bidpal.net/afgmw8/welcome .
About The Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House
Located within walking distance of the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1996, offers a place of care, comfort and support for families with a critically ill or injured child. The organization's hope is to create a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy by keeping families close to each other as they get the care they need.
Although the Ronald McDonald House is located in Loma Linda, it serves all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with 50% of the families coming from the Coachella Valley. During the first half of 2024, there were 128 stays for Coachella Valley families, 426 total guests from the Coachella Valley, which includes 1,585 nights at the house and providing a savings to families of $237,750.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit rmhcsc.org/inlandempire .
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House to honor A Few Good Men and Women
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