Community’s kindness shines through after visitor has wheelchair stolen ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Steve Dalley, visiting Palm Springs from New Zealand, is searching for his stolen wheelchair, pictured with him here. While he hopes it turns up, the community has turned out in full force to offer help.

A cruel event last week gave residents of Palm Springs a chance to show their kindness, and the recipient of that kindness cannot thank the community enough.

Steve Dalley of New Zealand, visiting the city for six months, reported his wheelchair stolen on June 29 at a residence near the intersection of San Rafael Drive and Indian Canyon Drive. Dalley said the theft occurred sometime between 12 PM and 5 PM.

Soon after Dalley reported the theft on Facebook, community members sprang into action. Dalley was flooded with not only words of support and offers of wheelchairs from locals, but dozens indicated they were willing to help purchase a replacement for him. Some even offered to start a GoFundMe account.

“I am also a paraplegic and I can’t imagine how awful this is for you,” wrote one concerned resident. “The cost of these chairs are well over $5,000. Your chair is your legs and you can’t be without one. If you would like mine please let me know.”

Dalley updated the community on July 1 with good news: “Jerry Alcorn of Alcorn Adaptive has kindly provided me with a wheelchair so I can continue with my stay in beautiful Palm Springs,” he wrote. “I will definitely be telling my friends back in New Zealand of the great people of Palm Springs, California. God bless America.”

In the meantime, the search for Dalley’s stolen property continues. The wheelchair is described as a TiLite ZR (16×18), Titanium/Black with 26-inch Spinergy wheels. Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to call the Palm Springs Police Department non-emergency line at 760-327-1441.

“It might be a long shot at getting its return, but as you can imagine it’s quite important to me,” Dalley wrote.

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BRIEFLY

500 WINS: Palm Springs Power Manager Casey Dill reached a career milestone over the weekend, tallying his 500th victory. Dill has managed the Power since the 2017 season, including a 40-1 record in 2019. In addition to his efforts at leading and mentoring collegiate players in Palm Springs, Dill, 37, is a scout credited with helping more than 200 players sign professional contracts throughout the world. He credits his success to mentoring he received from former Toronto Blue Jays Manager Tim Johnson. “To all friends, family, coaches, players, staff, fans, host families and everyone else who has contributed getting to this point, THANK YOU,” Dill wrote on Twitter. “Here’s to MANY more.” The Power, owners of a 12-1 record, are scheduled to play four games this week, starting tonight at Palm Springs Stadium. First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

DESERT ENSEMBLE MOVING HERE: Desert Ensemble Theatre (DET) announced recently that it will take up residence at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2100 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, when it returns from lockdown in October with its 11th season. In what DET leadership is hailing as its most ambitious season to date, the company will expand from four to five productions and will work in partnership with the Cultural Center to reach an even greater audience. “We have had many wonderful years at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club and we thank them for their partnership,” wrote DET Executive Director Shawn Abramowitz and Artistic Director Jerome Elliott. “The Palm Springs Cultural Center brings new and exciting possibilities to our theatre company as well as our community. We look forward to getting back into the theatre and creating art.” A complete list of performances planned for the upcoming season, as well as season subscription packages, can be found at DET’s website.

TODAY’S EVENTS

WATER BOARD: The Desert Water Agency Board of Directors meets today at 8 AM. Information about listening in or participating in that meeting, as well as an agenda, can be found here.

MAIN STREET: The city’s Downtown/Uptown Business Association, Main Street Palm Springs, holds its regular meeting today at 8:30 AM via Zoom. Information about registering for the meeting can be found here.

READING, CRAFTS PROGRAMS: Multiple reading and crafts programs are underway in the city, and most have a presence on YouTube today starting at 10 AM:

Information about “Read-To-Me Story Time and Craft” for preschool and kindergarten students can be found here.
Information about the adult summer reading program and craft projects (this week’s project is “Body Scrub”) can be found here.
Information about a children’s summer reading program and craft projects (this week’s project is “DIY STEAM Glider”) can be found here.
Information about a teen summer reading program and crafts projects (this week’s project is “Glow in the Dark Bouncy Balls”) can be found here.

MIZELL EVENTS: Tai chi is offered today at the Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, beginning at 2 PM. For a complete list of today’s offerings for registered members, turn here.

PRESERVATION: The city’s Historic Site Preservation Board meets at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information about how to join that meeting, as well as an agenda, can be found here.

ARCHITECTUAL REVIEW: The city’s Architectural Review Committee meets at 5:30 PM this evening via Zoom. Information about how to join that meeting, as well as an agenda, can be found here.

POWER BASEBALL: The Palm Springs Power plays this evening at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Rd. First pitch is at 7:05 PM. A complete schedule is available here.