Roy’s Desert Resource Center of Palm Springs, which aids Coachella Valley’s homeless, is bracing itself for severe cutbacks expected by the end of the year. The County of Riverside, as well as most of the member cities in the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) are forced to cut back $400,000 each year from the $2M annual budget; Desert Hot Springs has been forced to withdraw its contribution completely.

Tor Buck, an agent with Windermere’s Palm Springs South office at 2465 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 605, contributes considerable time and effort to the Friends of Roy’s Foundation, a community support group for this increasingly important desert resource. Tor notes that Friends of Roy’s is stepping in to raise funds to help make up for the annual shortfall. Jewish Family Services, which administers Roy’s Desert Resource Center, has had to cut back from 135 beds to 100 beds, at a time when the community’s needs are increasing.

“By joining with other community organizations in support of Roy’s, we plan to increase awareness of Roy’s mission. Roy’s is an invaluable asset to the Valley, working against great odds to aid individuals and entire families,” says Tor.  “By working together, we can offer Roy’s clients the opportunity to return to satisfying and productive lives.”

Join in supporting Roy’s by registering for a unique experience: The Palm Desert Century Bike Ride on Saturday, November 12.  The Ride will consist of 20, 32, 50, 60, 70 and 100 mile turnarounds, with donations benefiting Roy’s.  Ride will start and finish at 74-902 University Park in Palm Desert. Don’t ride?  Friends of Roy’s still needs volunteers to work the water-rest stations, parking lot, set-up/tear down, etc.

For a map and additional information, or to volunteer to help, contact Tor Buck at 760-969-3119 or Tor@WindermereSoCal.com.

“Our valley’s homeless face a serious issue which, unfortunately, continues to grow,” said Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “Windermere and its agents have long been a supporter of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, and we applaud and support Tor and Friends of Roy’s in these efforts.”