Forced to cancel the 2020 gala due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) is belatedly marking our 30th anniversary with a spectacular gala celebration to be held on December 11.

The theme is “Pearls of Wisdom,” and the event will be held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. With the pearl being the traditional 30th-anniversary gift, we will be sharing pearls of wisdom with those who are caring for and living with Parkinson’s disease.

“When COVID-19 came, we started distributing information through virtual channels and accidentally tapped into a huge and unexpected need across the state and the country,” explains President and Founder Jo Rosen. “Our rapid and successful pivot to digital programming brought with it an astronomical demand and the opportunity to meaningfully grow our services to reach those isolated by Parkinson’s in our neighborhood and beyond.”

PRO’s quasi-viral Things to Know Right Now COVID video series drove a 6,500 percent jump in social media following and our monthly website visits increased from 9,000 to over 20,000 in the last year. Now PRO is growing by three to five constituents per day, a 20 percent increase over pre-COVID rates. In response, we’ve developed new programming, expanded our staff, even moved into new offices to better serve our growing community.

Our 30th Anniversary Gala (plus one) is both a fundraiser and a celebration of the astonishing growth we have experienced, the amazing strength of our constituents, and the beautiful community we have managed to hold on to during these difficult pandemic months.

Emceed by Patrick Evans of KESQ-TV, with special virtual programming hosted by Winspire, the evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and will honor those who have helped raise awareness and cultivated hope in the world of Parkinson’s disease. It will feature a cocktail hour, surprise celebrity guests, a delicious three-course dinner along with entertainment and dancing. There also will be a silent and live auction featuring a gorgeous pearl necklace donated by Raju Mehta of El Paseo Jewelers, who will be honored with the “Community Spirit” award for all of the contributions he has made to a variety of charities in the Coachella Valley.

Now that our audience has grown dramatically across the nation, we are excited to be simultaneously offering a comprehensive virtual program, so all who want to celebrate can attend and participate in the festivities virtually.

Ticket prices are $250 per person. PRO is seeking auction item donations and has fabulous sponsorship packages. All proceeds will benefit Parkinson’s Resource Organization which has been supporting individuals, families and caregivers affected by Parkinson’s disease since 1990.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.parkinsonsresource.org or call (760) 773.5628.