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 LT. COL. DON BELL, Sierra Del Mar divisional commander, presents a plaque to Dick and Beverly Davis following the announcement of their $1.2 million donation toward the construction of a new corps community center in Cathedral City, Calif. |
BY BRIAN PICKERING –
Concerned that the current size of The Salvation Army’s facility in Cathedral City, Calif., limits its services to at-risk children and families in crisis situations, Dick and Beverly Davis of Rancho Mirage, Calif., will be donating $1.2 million dollars over the next 12 months towards the construction of a new Salvation Army Corps Community Center.
A special presentation, which included a gift of $400,000 from the Davises (first of three $400,000 gifts over the next year), was held at the future site of the Army’s Dick and Beverly Davis Corps Community Center in Cathedral City.
In addition to this generous donation, the Davises, who are members of the Salvation Army’s advisory board in Cathedral City, also gave $100,000 last July to help purchase land for the future corps community center.
In accepting the initial gift, Lt. Col. Donald C. Bell, Sierra Del Mar divisional commander, stated that “this tremendous show of love by Dick and Beverly Davis will benefit many lives for years to come.”
For Dick Davis, who has worked in related real estate industries for 55 years, this is one investment that he sees growing for years to come through the number of lives touched on a daily basis. “(My wife and I) have helped other charities over the years. However, we feel The Salvation Army by far exceeds other charities in the money that goes to those in need as a percentage of their budget, with over 90% of the money given going to help others,” he said. “Since being on the advisory board, we have seen the tremendous need for feeding people, classrooms for the learning center, and a chapel.”
By moving from its current 9,000 square foot leased facility in a strip mall to a new 15,000 sq. ft. building, the Cathedral City Corps will be able to grow with the desert and meet the ever-changing needs in the community.
The future corps building will include a multipurpose room for gymnastics and after-school activities; a playground and outdoor sports field; a learning center; six rooms for community and Salvation Army activities; office space; a family services department; a chapel with seating for 175; and a nursery. One future goal is to also house an emergency disaster mobile canteen, which will be crucial in local disasters.
“This will give The Salvation Army a building of its own with adequate space to meet the needs of the community and our family services department,” said Major Oscar Youngquist (R), who is serving as the project manager.
According to Envoy Dena Manriquez, who along with her husband Envoy David Manriquez are in-charge of the Cathedral City Corps, nearly 24,000 people (including over 17,300 children) were assisted last year through the Army’s learning center, community outreach programs, summer camp, childsprees, family services, holiday season, and senior visitations.