When Marie De Vito moved to SCSH from Wisconsin in 2012, she knew not a sole in the community. Her neighbor invited her to attend a meeting of the Desert Life Club! That led to Marie joining the Club who at the time was seeking a volunteer to serve as Membership Chair on the Board. Marie thought what a great opportunity it would give her to meet other newcomers and get involved in the community.
Marie has since served on the Desert Life Board nine terms in the capacity of Membership, Treasurer and, in times of vacancy, both positions.
In a recent interview, Marie explained that soon after joining Desert Life, she happened to be sitting at a table with a member whose son was stationed at the 29 Palms Marine Base. As part of the conversation, the mother explained that many of the Marines didn’t even have money to buy diapers. Marie brought this information to the Board suggesting that they do a “diaper drive”.
The result was amazing and was also the impetus to the Club expanding its charter to include philanthropic involvement with Coachella Valley’s charity organizations and the creation of the Charity/Outreach Chairperson position on the Board. Today, along with a beautiful lunch and interesting program, a local charity is chosen that provides Desert Life a “wish list” and the members fill that list. Participation in donations by members is always voluntary and our members prove to be most generous.
It is a total coincidence that in December, Marie’s last month as Treasurer of Desert Life, the Club is doing a “stuffed animal” Christmas drive for the children of the Marine Base.
Desert Life’s coveted Star Award honors members who go above and beyond serving the Club and the Community.
Marie had no idea what was happening when President, Mary Jane Stratman (AKA MJ) began to describe the contributions of the award recipient at the recent October 2023 meeting:
This wonderful woman has an incredible sense of humor, great resilience, and steps in at the drop of a hat to help when and where she can. She does so without seeking praise and has a passion in her actions to bring amusement to lighten everyone’s experience.
She counts, reports, informs, often interjecting a quick quip to lighten the delivery of otherwise very droll details. Behind the scenes she offers well thought out input to help ensure our funds are spent wisely benefiting our members as well as the charities we support.
A woman who has stepped up to serve the Desert Life Club as a Board Member for nine years. If you’ve served on this or, any other volunteer Board, you understand that many hours and a great deal of dedication goes into a job that pays only with gratitude for a job well done.
Yes Ladies, our honoree today and recipient of the Star Award is none other than our friend and neighbor Marie DeVito.
It was thrilling to watch Marie’s expression as she suddenly realized she that was the recipient!
In accepting the award Marie pointed out that not only had she served in various Board positions but had once been the Club’s “entertainment” when a guest speaker suddenly cancelled.
She urged others to volunteer as “it’s a great way to meet people and make a difference.”
Thank you, Marie, for all you’ve done to help the Desert Life Club grow into a nearly 200-member strong Club that has fun, enjoys friendship, and gives back to our community at large!
Submitted by Debby Hart, Desert Life Club Secretary