Cielo Vista Charter Holds Benefit at O’Donnell House

Honoring Palm Springs Historical Society and Anderson Children’s Foundation

Cielo Vista Charter School is hosting a wine tasting benefit at the O’Donnell House on January 22 from 5-7 p.m. The event will be catered by LULU California Bistro. Wine will be provided by Pacific Wine and Spirits. Tickets are $50 per person and include a rare look in and around one of Palm Springs’ most historic homes, which has been meticulously restored by the owners of the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn.

The O’Donnell House, also known as Ojo del Desierto (Eye of the Desert), was completed in 1925 as the winter home of oilman Thomas O’Donnell and his wife, Dr. Winnifred Willis Jenny. The grounds feature original and rare tile floors and bathrooms, redwood ceilings, antique furniture, unique gardens, impressive rock work and exquisite views of the desert below.

Beyond exploring this notable home, the benefit will include a silent auction, musical performances and student history presentations. School staff will recognize Rene Brown and the Palm Springs Historical Society for bringing Zaddie Bunker’s Traveling Museum to Cielo Vista Charter through a generous grant from the Anderson Children’s Foundation.

Only 125 tickets are available to this event organized by the school’s Parent Teacher Group. Money raised will support enhanced curriculum, such as art, music and lessons taught during Cielo Vista Charter’s “Eagle Hour,” which offers enrichment studies daily to students K-6.
Cielo Vista Charter School is an independent public school of choice and part of the Palm Springs Unified School District. As a charter, the school is open to all students (subject to availability) and tuition-free, however the Cielo Vista community is responsible for raising about one-quarter of the school’s annual budget. Cielo Vista Charter is governed by an independent board of directors including President David Baron, Vice President James Cioffi, Secretary William Kleindienst and Member Frank Tinney.

Cielo Vista Charter is accountable to all state standards and testing requirements. Beyond core curriculum, the school’s culture encourages collaboration with teachers, parents, staff, students, administrators and community leaders that promotes student success and accomplishment. Cielo Vista Charter is a “Character Counts!” school where students are also taught trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

For tickets to the Cielo Vista Charter School Benefit email cielovistacharterptg@gmail.com or call 760-699-2939. Sponsorships are also still available. Cielo Vista Charter’s Parent Teacher Group is a registered 501(c)(3); donations are tax-deductible.