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PALS - Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors

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Now celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season, Planning Ahead for LGTBTQ+ Seniors can only continue doing all that it does each year (and more) for our community, because of the generous support of PALS just like you! That's why we're re-launching this GoFundMe Campaign first launched in 2021 (and increasing the overall fundraising goal to $7.5K), so we can use the same platform to raise another $3,000 or more to cover PALS "behind the scenes" operating expenses for 2024. These expenses include the annual/monthly costs for website hosting, ZOOM, MailChimp and Add Event platforms, hiring ASL interpreters when requested, social event costs, and PALS print materials, hybrid technology equipment & nominal office supplies.

So please be a PAL and contribute* whatever you can, knowing that each and every dollar donated will help PALS achieve its mission and vision to:
  • Promote planning ahead before a health or other life altering situation arises;
  • Combat ageism and sexism;
  • Reduce isolation and loneliness;
  • Create a community of people who look out for each other.

 (*Note: contributions are not tax-deductible because PALS is currently classified by the IRS as an "Unincorporated Association." PALS will report all expenditures on an annual basis and/or by request.)

For a closer look at what PALS is all about, please read on:

Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors [PALS] is an all volunteer-led community initiative, based in greater Palm Springs, CA, that was started in 2013 by Richard Bass and others to help LGBTQ+ adults and allies know how plan ahead before a health or other life-altering situation arises.

By providing a wide array of no-cost seminars, workshops, special events and social activities every year since 2013, PALS has become so much more than presenting useful information about financial, health, legal and end-of-life planning — PALS is where friendships blossom and difficult conversations about aging, care and loss happen without stigma and judgment.

PALS is also where we gather the community together to address the most difficult aspects of aging for LGBTQ+ seniors (and soon-to-be seniors) — many of whom are estranged from family, have no children, have lost a spouse, or are single and living alone. That is, the isolation and loneliness that became ever more palpable after Covid-19 shut down the entire world as of March 2020.

Even during the Pandemic, PALS didn’t stop or miss a beat from offering tools and information for planning ahead and creating a community of people who look out for each other:
  • We quickly pivoted from in-person programming to an all-virtual format by revamping PALS Seminars, Workshops and Special Events for ZOOM.
  • We did the same with the Death Café, so that members could continue having candid conversations aimed at demystifying death and dying while also making the most of their lives now. 
  • We developed and launched a weekly PALS CAFÉ as a friendly place for LGBTQ Seniors (and future seniors) to meet every Wednesday from 4-5 pm, share their life stories, learn about topics of mutual interest, and support each other during a 3-year period of unchartered loss and uncertainty.
  • Once public health restrictions eased to where it was safe to meet in-person and in a group setting again, we transformed the PALS Café into the PALS Circle so that LGBTQ+ seniors with limited mobility and/or who prefer to continue meeting with each other virtually could still have a fun and informal hour to get together online. Offered each Wednesday from 6-7 pm, PALS Circle has no agenda, no topic -- just fun conversation and sharing among LGBTQ+ seniors looking after each other in a tangible and meaningful way!

Now as we celebrate PALS 10th Anniversary Season (2023-24), PALS is re-launching this GoFundMe Campaign to raise another $3,000, so that we'll have enough funds in 2024 and beyond to cover the “behind the scenes” expenses already outlined above. --- So please be a PAL and contribute* generously, knowing that all funds raised will be spent on creating a community that looks out for each other.
 
For more information about PALS programs, upcoming calendar and more, please visit http://palsinthedesert.com/.

THANK YOU!
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Donations 

  • Donald Beck
    • $94 
    • 16 d
  • Chris H Christensen
    • $94 
    • 21 d
  • Jamie Trachtenberg
    • $94 
    • 21 d
  • Lorraine Carlson
    • $100 
    • 3 mos
  • Jamie Trachtenberg
    • $54 
    • 3 mos
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Organizer

PALS - Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors
Organizer
Palm Springs, CA

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