---
[ LGBTQ ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq)
# Celebrate the Season of Giving at the 36th Annual Holiday Toy Drive in Palm Springs!
October 15 2024
Written by CityWatch.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
SPECIAL EVENT - This holiday season, join **Sam and Ashan** **Leslie** for a heartwarming evening at one of Palm Springs’ most iconic venues—the **Dinah Shore Estate**—to support **The Laurel Foundation**. With your help, we aim to raise funds that will empower children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS and transgender/gender-diverse identities through **free summer camp and year-round programs**.
---
**Event Details**
📅 **Date:** December 7, 2024
🕠 **Time:** 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 **Location:** The Dinah Shore Estate, Palm Springs
🎁 **Guests encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy** (ages 2-17)
**[Get your tickets now! Limited availability.](https://e.givesmart.com/events/vLH/)**
---
**An Unforgettable Evening of Holiday Cheer**
This 36th Annual Toy Drive promises to be a night to remember, with an exciting line-up of festive activities:
- **Hosted Bar & Gourmet Dinner** by Celebrity Chef Franco
- **Raffle, Silent & Live Auctions**
- **Christmas Carols**
- **Special Announcement:** 2024 Youth Empowerment Award winner
- **A Chance to Make a Difference:** Help send children to free summer camp
---
**A Special Venue: The Dinah Shore Estate**
Step into the elegant world of **Dinah Shore**, one of television’s most beloved stars, whose Palm Springs estate now belongs to actor **Leonardo DiCaprio**. Dinah Shore’s legacy includes not only her musical and TV achievements but also her contributions to the Palm Springs community.
Her ties to the area run deep, from founding the **Colgate Dinah Shore Golf Tournament** to commissioning famed architect Donald Wexler to design her home. The estate embodies Shore's passion for creativity and philanthropy—making it the perfect place to celebrate a night dedicated to empowering young lives.
---
**About The Laurel Foundation**
Founded in 1993, **The Laurel Foundation** is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and families affected by **HIV/AIDS and gender identity challenges**. Through its free camps and mental health programs, The Laurel Foundation offers safe, empowering environments for young people to build **confidence, community, and lifelong skills**.
The foundation’s year-round programs include:
- **Family Camps & Summer Camps**
- **Mentorship Retreats**
- **Day Programs & Support Groups**
These initiatives support over 700 children, youth, and families annually, providing crucial mental health services and social support for those most in need.
---
**Your Impact: Transform Lives this Holiday Season**
By attending or sponsoring this event, you’re giving children who often face emotional, social, and mental health challenges the chance to **thrive, grow, and live authentically**. The Laurel Foundation’s camps have provided life-changing experiences for thousands of kids who once felt isolated in their struggles with HIV/AIDS or gender identity.
As we celebrate the season of giving, let’s make a meaningful impact by ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the joys of camp—and discover that they are not alone.
---
**Special Recognition**
In 2022, the **Youth Empowerment Award** was presented to **Cher and Chaz Bono** for their activism in supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Prior recipients include Jamie Lee Curtis. This year’s recipient will be announced soon—stay tuned for this exciting reveal!
---
**Join Us in Making a Difference**
**Get your tickets today** and be part of this magical holiday evening at the **Dinah Shore Estate**. With your support, we can continue to create spaces where children can feel safe, empowered, and celebrated.
✨ **Limited tickets available**—secure yours now!
---
**[For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit our website](https://e.givesmart.com/events/vLH/)**. Together, let’s give the gift of joy, hope, and empowerment this holiday season.
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/115 "Brian Goldsmith Vertical R. Col")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/114 "McKinney Campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")
## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays
Message
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/113 "Rhonda Haymon campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/110 "Something You Should Know")
---
## Featured CityWatch Stories
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/election-2024/33624-prosecutor-democrat-city-attorney-mckinney-makes-his-case-to-los-angeles-voters)
### [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/election-2024/33624-prosecutor-democrat-city-attorney-mckinney-makes-his-case-to-los-angeles-voters)
ELECTION 2026 - The race for LA City Attorney has been laced with political accusations and allegations that when close…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/la-watchdog/33544-the-la-watchdogs-2026-voters-guide-2)
### [The LA Watchdog’s 2026 Voter Guide](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/la-watchdog/33544-the-la-watchdogs-2026-voters-guide-2)
LA WATCHDOG - My recommendations are influenced by the need for truly balanced budgets, fiscal responsibility, long ter…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33626-the-fools-blame-game)
### [The Fools’ Blame Game](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33626-the-fools-blame-game)
THE VIEW FROM HERE - Angelenos do not use elections to plot a wiser course of conduct for Los Angeles, but rather they…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33619-california-film-tax-credits-arent-enough-the-guilds-need-to-change-too)
### [California Film Tax Credits Aren’t Enough. The Guilds Need to Change Too.](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33619-california-film-tax-credits-arent-enough-the-guilds-need-to-change-too)
LONNIE’S VIEW - California used to be the center of the movie and television universe. If you wanted to make movies, yo…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
### [Here’s What Zionism’s Got To Do With It](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
ICAN - The anonymous website “BHUSD Watch” recently published a long, detailed article about the current BHUSD board an…
---
## [ LGBTQ ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/33356-the-laurel-foundation-launches-the-art-of-online-auction-to-benefit-programs-for-lgbtq-youth-and-families)### [The Laurel Foundation Launches THE ART OF\_ Online Auction to Benefit Programs for LGBTQ+ Youth and Families](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/33356-the-laurel-foundation-launches-the-art-of-online-auction-to-benefit-programs-for-lgbtq-youth-and-families)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/33296-34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own)### [34 Years After Camp Laurel Began for Kids With HIV, Its First Campers Return With Children of Their Own](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/33296-34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32477-attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda)### [Attacks on Transgender Women Are Part of a Larger MAGA Agenda](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32477-attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32267-pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive)### [Pride Flag Returns to Stonewall as New York Officials Defy Federal Directive](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32267-pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32245-california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth)### [California LGBTQ Community Still Worried For Transgender Youth](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/lgbtq/32245-california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth)