tools for tomorrow

11th Annual Vision for the Future Awards Luncheon, March 24, 2017

Ann Greer Social Scene

tools for tomorrow
(From left) Jean Carrus, Louise Escoe, Claire Smith, Margot Nellig` Smith, Flo Wolff, CJ Westrick-Bomar and Alaina Bixon enjoy the luncheon.
PHOTO BY DIMITRI HALKIDIS

The 11th annual Vision for the Future awards luncheon, held at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, shined a bright light on engaging children through an effective Tools for Tomorrow after-school program at Coachella Valley schools.

Tools for Tomorrow is a Palm Desert based nonprofit arts-literacy program founded by Rachel Druten.

Visionaries chairman Judith Antonio welcomed more than 200 guests. Event chairs Louise Escoe and Irma Smith and volunteer and awardee Joyce Bulifant, an actress, singer, and director, gave the opening remarks. Bulifant wrote and directed the post-luncheon performance Be Our Guest, which featured students from Rancho Mirage Elementary School with vocals by Francesca Amari and Gilmore Rizzo.

Bulifant’s husband, performer-composer-pianist Roger Perry, accompanied on the piano. Bulifant also produced with Clark Dugger the adorable video about Vision award honorees Barbara and Jerry Keller. Artists Karen and Tony Barone donated many pieces of art for sale and created the away that was given to the evening’s visionaries. Julieta Ramos was honored as the 2016 Student of the Year. Board member Clive Weightman conducted the Raise Your Hand program for the children.

Harold Matzner was event sponsor. Other sponsors were JoAnn McGrath, The Auen Foundation, Arlene Schnitzer, and Robert and Nina Wernick.

Tools For Tomorrow
42-600 Cook Street #203
Palm Desert, CA 92211
760-601-3954
www.toolsfortomorrow.org

Photography by Dimitri Halkidis