Gifts vs. Donations

For many who have been coupled for years, gifts may not be needed or desired. Donations to your favorite charity may be a great substitute. Below is a list of terrific local charities and non-profit organizations that benefit the LGBT and Palm Springs community. We encourage you to visit their websites and consider doing something very special for these great charities on your special day.

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Founded by gay parents, this organization seeks to connect and be a resource for those in the GLBT community raising children, those wishing to do so and supporters.

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Save Morgan
9-month-old Morgan Laflin, a desert resident, suffers from Biliary Atresia – a chronic, progressive liver problem that becomes evident shortly after birth. Morgan has already been through surgeries to help her cope with her condition, but ultimately is in need of a liver transplant. While she remains on waiting lists for a liver, her daddy has offered to be the donor and is being thoroughly screened to determine if it will be a good match.

Everyone knows that hospital bills can be extensive. But Morgan's daddy is a small business owner and will have to be away from his job for a few months of recovery. This precious family needs your help through this difficult time.

For more about baby Morgan and how to donate, visit www.savemorgan.com.

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The mission of the Desert Pride Community Center is to empower the LGBT community to celebrate the full beauty of their lives by providing services, education and cultural events which serve to enrich, inspire and enlighten the hearts of our diverse community. We advocate for social justice & equality for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Desert AIDS Project provides medical care and comprehensive support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the desert community.

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Founded in 1998, EQCA celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008, commemorating a decade of building a state of equality in California. In the past 10 years, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation.

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Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter
is a non-profit community organization dedicated to preserving the dignity, life, health and well being of all animals. 

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Gay Associated Youth provides a safe place and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning youth (GLBTQ) and their allies in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities through the provision of guidance, advocacy and resources.

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Since its founding in 1991, the AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs remains dedicated to providing comfort and support to improve the quality of the lives of those surviving HIV/AIDS. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens, led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provided meals to members of the community with low incomes and suffering with HIV/AIDS. Since then, the AIDS Assistance Program's client roster has grown from approximately 20 to more than 500 people.

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Optimist Foster Family and Adoption Services is a division of Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services.  For over 100 years we have been committed to helping at risk youth and families.  We have just opened our first Riverside Office in Palm Springs in response to an increased need for quality foster homes in which to place abused, abandoned and neglected children.  Optimist is committed to assisting Gay and Lesbian couples and singles become foster and adoptive parents.

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The primary purposes for which this corporation is formed are to promote the public education and public awareness of the personal rights and civil liberties of the Lesbian/Gay/Trans-gendered/Bisexual Community, and to engage in activities therefore."

The way in which the organization accomplishes this goal is by providing a venue for all organizations, businesses, and causes to come together the first weekend of November each year for its annual Pride Festival and Parade. Greater Palm Springs Pride, Inc assists many others in the organization of their events and when possible provides grants to various community organizations.