Marilyn Monroe Hotspot Site of Cielo Vista's 2nd Annual Benefit

Cielo Vista Charter School is hosting a rare glimpse inside a former Marilyn Monroe hideaway. The benefit is being held at Sand Acre Estate in the Palm Springs Movie Colony on Saturday, May 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. Sand Acre Estate is a popular stop for celebrity tours and Monroe fans because it is a known vacation home of the legendary movie star and her husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio.

Tickets are $50 per person and include hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, as well as self-guided tours of the estate. Beyond exploring the stately 1930s Spanish hacienda, which encompasses a large city block with vast lawns and lush fruit trees, the benefit will include a silent auction, raffles and student musical performances. An additional raffle, sponsored by Desert Wholesale Diamond, will send one lucky winner home with a ½ carat diamond.  Principal Lynda Lake will present Desert Healthcare District with a Community Partner Award and recognize Tricia Gehrlein with a Community Leader Award.​

Cielo Vista Charter School is a dependent 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, which includes Mark Anderson, David Baron, James Cioffi, William Kleindienst and Frank Tinney.

Sponsors for this event include Ace Hotel, Camelot Café, Beau Monde Villas, Buzz Factory, Desert Radio Group, DJ ODC, Pacific Wine and Spirits, Hilton Palm Springs, Mission Hills Country Club, Sammy G’s, Starbucks and Sysco. Additional sponsorships are still available.

For tickets to the Cielo Vista Charter School Benefit go to www.cielovistacharter.com or call 760-699-2939. The event is organized by the Cielo Vista Charter School Parent Teacher Group, which is a registered 501(c)(3); donations are tax-deductible. Money raised will support new classroom technology and teacher supplies.