Rebuild Palm Springs increases fundraising goal to $250,000 as community groups rally support

A community-driven fundraising effort to help Palm Springs businesses recover from the May 17 bombing at a fertility clinic has increased its goal to $250,000 after organizers discovered a significant gap in terrorism insurance coverage, it was announced Wednesday.

The Rebuild Palm Springs initiative, which is approaching its original $100,000 target, made the adjustment after learning that small businesses in the blast zone surrounding the American Reproductive Center clinic in the 1100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive face more than half a million dollars in uninsured damages from the attack.

“We’ve learned that there’s a significant gap that certainly will be over a half a million dollars for our small business organizations that don’t have terrorism insurance,” said Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte during a check presentation ceremony Wednesday morning outside Palm Springs Liquor, one of the damaged businesses.

“So our goal is going to increase. We’re going to set a new target for $250,000 so we can provide as much support as possible to these small business owners.”

Multiple local organizations presented donations during the Wednesday morning ceremony, including a $10,000 check from the Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization and $2,400 from the Palm Springs Sun Up Rotary Club.

“This is our city and we were all just devastated what happened,” said Paul Mahoney, chair of the Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization.

René Bernard, treasurer of the Palm Springs Sun Up Rotary Club, said his organization decided to contribute after deHarte spoke to members about the fundraising effort. “We thought what a great time for us to help our community, which we support in many ways,” Bernard said.

The initiative has received support from various community groups, with Modernism Week contributing $5,000 and NBC Palm Springs raising $14,200 through a drive-thru fundraiser held May 23.

DeHarte emphasized that the effort is community-driven rather than a city program, led by small business owners including Bob Smiland from Desert Hand Carwash, Willie Rhine from Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Bill Sanderson from Townie Bagels, Liz Ostoich of FARM, Tac/Quila and Clandestino, and Gregory Goodman of My Little Flower Shop.

The fundraising initiative aims to help businesses and residents facing costly repairs not covered by insurance, including shattered windows and structural damage from the bombing.

The Desert Business Association and Greater Palm Springs Pride are distributing all funds raised, following guidelines based on the city’s Facade Improvement Program. To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit evidence of completed work and payment, including paid invoices, before and after photos, credit card receipts with statements, and copies of canceled checks.

Donations can be made at this website or by check payable to Palm Springs Pride at 329 West Mariscal Rd. Palm Springs 92262 with “Rebuild PS” in the memo line.

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