“If it wasn’t for Tim Hanlon, I would not have had the joy of being so closely involved with Desert AIDS Project … and that would leave a big, empty spot in my heart,” said Barbara Keller, chair of D.A.P.’s board of directors and one of the co-chairs of the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala for the last seven years, along with fellow board member Jim Casey, president and CEO of the gala’s presenting sponsor, Integrated Wealth Management. Keller and Casey, along with a team of other community leaders and D.A.P. staff, are hard at work on the 2015 gala, coming to the Palm Springs Convention Center on February 7.

Hanlon, along with long-time D.A.P. volunteer Bill Jones of Carousel Catering, had co-chaired “the Steve Chase” for several, consecutive years. They knew that it was time to pass their mantle to other community powerhouses – and Hanlon knew immediately that Barbara Keller was his first choice for a new gala co-chair.

“When I took the tour of D.A.P., at Tim’s urging in 2008, it was perhaps the nicest set-up I’ve ever had played on me because he knew I’d fall in love with this wonderful place for all of the incredible things that it does every day for its clients,” Mrs. Keller continued. “I thought my volunteer commitments were complete and that I was too busy to take on anything more. That tour … and Tim Hanlon … happily changed all of that for me. I’ve been co-chairing the gala with the very talented Jim Casey ever since and am grateful to serve on the board of this amazing organization that does so much for so many people in need.”

All the more fitting then, that Tim Hanlon will be immortalized with a Star right in front of Lulu California Bistro – very near to the Star for Barbara Keller. Desert AIDS Project is proud to honor Hanlon’s long support of people living with HIV and AIDS, not only through his work at Wells Fargo but also personally as a volunteer and as member of its Partners for Life annual giving program.

Tim Hanlon helped change the direction of corporate philanthropy in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, leading Wells Fargo to become a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs. His powerful voice marked a path for others to follow, making AIDS funding support a mainstream cause in corporate philanthropy, as he helped Wells Fargo provide nearly $18 million to local AIDS causes around the U.S. over a decade. “Tim’s vision and leadership have made a significant impact on such an important issue,” said John Stumpf, Chairman, President and CEO of Wells Fargo & Company.
Hanlon also serves on the board of directors for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Center Theatre Group.

Barbara and Jerry Keller invite you to join them upstairs at Lulu for a reception, immediately after by sending your RSVP to starfortim@desertaidsproject.org.