December 5, 2010 – by Barbara Ady for The Desert Sun

The Desert Samaritans for Seniors fundraiser happened early in the social season, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t perfectly planned and thought out.
True to its mission statement, the group is an advocate on behalf of senior citizens in the Coachella Valley. Members utilize “hands on” methods through social service programs that ensure the financial, physical and/or psychological well-being of every client served.
This year’s honoree, Jack Jones, and his wife, Eleonora, were mingling, as were a large number of former honorees.
After a silent auction loaded with luxury items, guests adjourned to the ballroom, appropriately and tastefully decorated with red roses and music symbols.
Brian Harnik made guests feel welcome. Executive director Bill Seals added his welcome and showed a video about the organization.
Music was provided by the Jack Poster Band. Entertainment was in the form of an athletic and warp-speed painting session by Michael Ostaski, which he describes as an “art explosion.” His resulting portrait of Jones was auctioned off.
Major sponsors were Jackie Lee and Jim Houston, Harold Matzner, Mary Hansen-Faris and Daryl Faris, Doris V. Edwards, Suzy and Marvin Friedland, Kay and Barry K. Williams, and Beverley and Douglas Jackson.
Seen around and about were Indian Wells Mayor Mary Roche, Kay Hansen, Jean Ann Hirschi, Ann Greer, Gloria Greer, Adam West, Wayne and Susie Harvey, Pete Schabarum, Gen. Ken Miles and Karen Miles, Jan Harnik, and Bill and Barbara Marx.