By Teri Kinne
Palm Springs, CA The Hollywood Times 4/26/25 -The Chase Gala welcomed guests with a pink carpet entrance that transformed into a glittering runway of creative self-expression. The event reached its pinnacle with a diamond bracelet, major financial pledges, and a keynote message that boldly declared, “We’re not going back.” DAP Health’s 31st annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, presented by Desert Care Network at the Palm Springs Convention Center, ultimately raised over $1.9 million to support an essential cause: healthcare for all, regardless of race, gender, or economic status.
As the ballroom doors swung open, a live DJ guided the crowd down a vibrant walkway into a dazzling space, where glowing spheres floated above more than a hundred silver tables. A center stage-in-the-round and a bandstand were set for the post-awards concert, creating an atmosphere of anticipation.
Honoree Lynn Hammond with the 2025 Partners for Life Award t Band Presented by .
Local caterer and philanthropist Lynn Hammond was honored with the 2025 Partners for Life Award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to the community and her years of service to DAP Health. DAP Health CEO David Brinkman took the stage for a keynote address that balanced gravity with hope. He reminded the audience that, while the evening was celebratory, the mission remained urgent.
DAP Health CEO David Brinkman took the stage for a keynote message that balanced gravity with hope. He reminded the crowd that while the night was festive, the mission remained urgent.
Throughout the night, Board of Directors Co-Vice Chair and Event Chair Kevin Bass kept the energy high. The excitement reached new heights when KC and The Sunshine Band took the stage, igniting a dance party that celebrated the collective effort everyone was now part of.
DAP Health’s journey has been nothing short of impressive. The nonprofit now serves over 88,000 patients across 25 clinics, from the Salton Sea to the San Diego coast. This includes farmworkers, LGBTQ+ individuals, the uninsured, and underserved populations across 240 zip codes, both rural and urban. Services span from gender health to dental, OB-GYN, radiology, mental health, affordable housing, and food assistance, with dignity at the heart of every service provided.
The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards began in 1984 with a single act of defiance and compassion when interior designer Steve Chase co-founded the Desert AIDS Project in response to the crisis and the homophobia that it intensified. In today’s political climate, it is crucial to continue this vital work and “not go back.”
The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards began with a single act of defiance and compassion in 1984, when interior designer Steve Chase helped found the Desert AIDS Project in response to the crisis and homophobia it intensified. With the current political climate, it is important to continue the work and “not go back.”Generous sponsors made the night possible, including major names like Amazon, Eisenhower Health, and Barry Manilow & Garry Kief, alongside producing sponsors Mark Adams & Tyler Wibstad, and major donor groups like the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation.
The Chase Gala 2025 dazzled with its pink décor, disco energy, and formal elegance. But beneath the fizz, what shined was a collective determination to continue the fight for accessible healthcare and dignity for all.
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Enjoy highlights of the evening: