Children's art pieces with permission from the Barabra Sinatra Children's Center

The 22^nd Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational is the largest annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, located at 39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, at the Eisenhower Medical Center campus. This year’s event was hosted for the first time at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and Eagle Falls Golf Course and it was spectacular.

Founded in 1986 by Barbara and Frank Sinatra, The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center was intended to provide a state-of-the-art, safe haven for abused children. It was their intention from the inception not to deny a child services if their family lacked the financial resources to pay. Thus there is a great need to raise funds to help underwrite counseling services for victims of physical, sexual and emotional child abuse, with special emphasis on prevention and breaking of the cycle of abuse. The total funds raised at this year’s 22^nd Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational were inspiring, more than $600,000 so far, the final amount should be even more impressive.

The 22^nd year’s three day series of fundraising events kicked off with a “star studded,” Pairings Dinner on Thursday night complimented with entertainment by the zany and very funny, Gary Mule Deer. Barbara Sinatra presented a heartfelt thank you gift to David Roosefelt, Tribal Chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and the owners of the beautiful Fantasy Springs property. To read more about this kickoff event and view photos of many of the attendees, click here.

Friday morning marked the beginning of the two-day Celebrity Golf Invitational at Eagle Falls Golf Course. The participants were paired up with one celebrity per team. To read more about the Celebrity Golf Invitational and view photos of the participants, click here.

Friday at noon there was the “star studded,” Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational Luncheon and Fashion Show that topped all others. Robert Wagner and Jill St. John were present as well as local celebrities. The fresh and elegantly feminine fashion designs by Lourdes Chavez were featured by Troy of El Paseo.  Barbara Sinatra presented Nelda Linsk with the first, “Children’s Choice Award”, for her 22 years of dedication in organizing this event so masterfully. To read more about the luncheon and fashion show, see famous folks, elegant clothes and other goings on, click here.

Friday evening was the Western Dinner at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. There were pledges galore of support as well as a live auction and silent auction featuring many fantastic items. More stars, great food and the Gatlin Brothers provided the night’s uplifting entertainment to top this evening’s  party atmosphere. To read more about this evening and see photos of the event and the people, click here.

The culmination of this three day event was the black tie gala, Saturday night, at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center.  The night’s headliners were none other than The Smothers Brothers.  A  special thank you gift was presented by Barbara Sinatra to this year’s Co-Host-Robert “RJ” Wagner who has been a long time supporter of the Children’s Center.  Barbara Sinatra then presented Wallis Annenberg with the “Champion of the Children Award” honoring her for her many years of continued support. To read more and view photos of this exciting event and the people, click here.

More than 600 people attended each of the evening events, 300+ people attended the golf tournament and more than 550 attended the luncheon/fashion show. This year’s very successful 22^nd Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational provided the perfect blend of events that inspired people in pledging their support to benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and for the benefit of the children.

Judy Vossler and Kathy Strong worked tirelessly to make sure the events went off flawlessly.

Approximately 90 percent of the Center’s $1.8 million budget is derived from a variety of fundraising projects, charitable organizations and the generosity of caring people throughout the world. It is a sobering reality that approximately 85% of the children treated at the Children’s Center have not only witnessed domestic violence, but also may be victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or even neglect. The cost of counseling a child in an individually designed program is approximately $4,000 per year.

Therapy is provided on an individual, family and group basis; on-going programs reinforce client self-esteem, explore anger management issues with the focus on specific needs of teens and grandchildren being raised by grandparents.