Sherwyn Turbow, a name well known in the Coachella Valley for his many philanthropic endeavors, was honored by Alzheimers Coachella Valley in March with the Edie Keller Leadership Award, which was presented to him by Pat Kaplan and Dominick A. Calvano, co-founders of ACV.
The event, “Endless Possibilities,” was both a celebration and fundraiser to help ACV continue its important work. Held at the newly renovated Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, the evening began with a welcome reception boasting complimentary champagne, a hosted bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction featuring golf, travel, beauty items and more. It was a beautiful evening, and as more than 300 people mixed and mingled, the magnificent sunset gave everything a beautiful glow, providing a warm start to a very special evening.
We all know that cases of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other dementia-related illnesses are on the rise. Here in the Coachella Valley, without the vision of Calvano, Kaplan and the late Edie Keller, who founded the organization in 2017, we would not have such a valuable place for patients, caregivers and families to focus on hope and learn necessary skills for daily living.
According to its website, all of ACV’s programs emphasize where the family is and work with what is still possible.
Here are some examples of how Alzheimers Coachella Valley made an impact in the community in 2025: 13,885 people attended eight support groups, 14,000 people attended the Club Journey social program, 3,500 attended music and arts programs, 1,500 attended the certified dementia training classes, 500 participated in the Traveling the Journey Together program, 550 attended health and wellness classes, 600 individuals with concerns and their family members accessed the screening center, 315 attended the Meaningful Conversations for the Cognitively Impaired class and 60 families received Breathing Space scholarships.
Live auctions followed the plated three-course dinner. Items up for the highest bidder included a five-night stay in Puglia, Italy; Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers tickets; wine tastings; and a hosted dinner experience for 8 in the private dining room at Bighorn Country Club.
In addition, Raju and Jaishri Mehta donated a $5,000 gift card from El Paseo Jewelers.
The gala ended on a high note with music and dancing courtesy of Mark Kopitzke and the Nightcaps.
Many people helped make the evening a success, including Dick Shalhoub; Walter Clark; Roland Reinhart, MD; Debra Tryon; Morgan Stanley; Will Family Medicine; Jewish Federation of the Desert; Loma Linda University; John Ford; Lisa Ford; Gerry Neighbors; Debbie Anderberg; Cynthia Buckner; Mandy Calvano; Mark Ernst; Penny Fox; Priscilla Kubas; Annie Lackey; Kim Linder; Mellisa Nielson; Patricia Riley; and Dee Wieringa.
And a big welcome goes to Paula Simonds as the organization’s new executive director.
Event sponsors included The H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, Laura and Christopher Seyfarth, Cece Carr, Barry and Lori Turbow, Prime Time Sales LLC, Rankin Family Foundation, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Biogen/Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Eisenhower Health, Isning Media LLC, KESQ and others.
Proceeds from the event were donated to Alzheimers Coachella Valley’s programs for families living with dementia and related conditions.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit cvalzheimers.org.
Carole Stephen-Smith began writing in Scotland for a women’s weekly at the age of 15 and later covered American celebrities for the London Evening Echo. After relocating to the desert, she wrote for Desert Woman in the 1990s. Stephen-Smith focuses on charities that assist women, medical causes — especially breast cancer awareness — and all aspects of child abuse.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Alzheimers Coachella Valley honors Sherwyn Turbow at annual gala
Reporting by Carole Stephen-Smith, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Carole Stephen-Smith, Special to The Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
