KDI KARES RAISES $43,500 FOR COACHELLA VALLEY RESCUE MISSION

PALM DESERT, CA - KDI Kares is all about giving - and this Thanksgiving, the organization's giving spirit is making the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission extremely thankful.

A check for $43,500 was delivered by KDI Kares on Monday to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, a local charity that provides meals and shelter to the homeless and needy of the valley.

"This is an absolutely wonderful donation," said Pete Del Rio, Vice Chairman of the Board for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. "KDI's heart has been with us for a long time. Every time they see a need, they jump right in. They are very committed to helping and making a difference."

Del Rio said KDI Kares' gift is a great jump-start to the mission's capital campaign, which has a goal of raising $12 million to build a new 35,000 square foot, 150 bed facility on 3.5 acres of land the mission already owns - free-and-clear. The current mission is 9,000 square feet, has 80 beds, was purchased in 1971 and expanded in 1990. More than 80,000 hot meals are served there annually.

"I'm hopeful once the campaign starts in a couple of months we will get some key lead gifts and raise half the money needed to build the facility in a year," said Del Rio. "I would love to have shovels breaking the ground in January 2009. That's my goal."

Del Rio added one of the greatest needs the mission has is providing more 'family rooms'. "We are seeing an increase in the number of women with two or three children coming in that need help getting back on their feet before they can even afford low-income housing in the Coachella Valley," he said. "A new, larger facility is going to make a world of difference."

According to Annie Klein, founder of KDI Kares, the money was raised from a silent auction event recently held at the KDI Elements Design Center in Palm Desert. Klein stated $21,750 was raised from the auction itself and KDI Elements matched that amount.

KDI Kares is the non-profit arm of KDI Elements. The organization reaches out to charities and the needy of the community. For more information on KDI Kares (a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation) visit www.kdikares.com or contact Pat Shapiro at 760.345.9933.

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission thankful for KDI Kares donation

Paul and Annie Klein (left) and Suzanne Zens (right) of KDI Kares presented a check for $43,500 to Darla Burkett, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Executive Director (center) on Monday. The money will help fund the building a new, larger facility.