Agent Specializes In Desert Homes Fit For Healthy Lifestyles

Many desert area home buyers and sellers know Michael Paduano as a Palm Springs area Windermere real estate agent.

In his free time, Michael is also Executive Director of Wellness Foundation Palm Springs. Michael says "The mission of WFPS is to meet the needs of local organizations by supplying experienced fitness professionals to work free of charge within these organizations. Group exercise classes, lectures, seminars and consultations will serve to augment the services of local agencies. Free instructional DVD's will provide long term fitness education in the areas of exerice, nutrition and wellness."

He's also just produced his first yogo DVD, Mike Masters Healing Yoga. Masters is his middle name. For more information about the foundation, visit www.WellnessFoundationPalmSprings.org.

To have Mike help you find the perfect desert yoga retreat to call home, visit his real estate website.

Photography by Reedar Dybdahl

Jedidiah Thurner Gives New Meaning To The Word "Vacation"

Indian Wells Luxury Homes Realtor, Jedidiah Thurner just returned home from his trip to Nicaragua, on a mission to help the children of the trash dumps.

Working with The Desire of All Nations or (D.O.A.N.), this is his second trip. "It's certainly not a typical vacation, but it's a lot more rewarding," says Thurner.

Jedidiah was joined by his sister Jobyna (both in top photo) to help build a community kitchen to serve food to over 300 street children living in one of the largest trash dumps in the country. The photos above capture some of the children collecting food and recyclables.

To learn more, you can contact Jedidiah at jedidiah@exclusivedeserthomes.com.

550 Teddy Bears Given To Children In Crisis

Part of being a good real estate agent is being a good neighbor. That’s why Windermere Coachella Valley agents spend so much time giving back to the communities that give so much to them. Palm Springs Realtor, Michael Larson is one such agent.

“I’ve been on the board of directors of the Desert Outreach Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) for about four years and am currently the Vice President,” shares Michael.

“Our two primary objectives are to provide scholarships to local students and to provide teddy bears to children in crisis. The Foundation has been around for more than 15 years and we're all volunteers. We’ve given out nearly $200,000 in scholarships over the years to recipients who are locally based students, though they can attend school anywhere,” he adds.
The Desert Regional Medical Center, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, Healthy Family Living, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, Betty Ford Center's Children Program, Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children, Palm Desert Police Department, Shelter From The Storm, and Child Protective Services of Riverside County have all received teddy bears for distribution.

To find out more about Michael or the foundation, visit http://www.michaellarson.net/

Realtor Helps The Children of Trash Dumps In Nicaragua For His Birthday

Windermere Indian Wells Luxury Homes Realtor, Jedidiah Thurner is turning 27 on July 22 and is inviting everyone to celebrate with him. But it’s not your usual birthday party.

“This year for my birthday I'm asking for donations to a good cause: Help The Children of Trash Dumps In Nicaragua,” says Jedidiah.

“I had the privilege of personally taking my first trip (the 4th trip for The Desire of All Nations or D.O.A.N.) with my wife, Amber, to Nicaragua in July 2008. During this trip, our lives were radically changed as we ministered to the poor, fed thousands, provided new resources of support and education, and challenged and changed the mindsets of various leaders, business owners, and individuals which have been limited by poverty, war and natural disasters.

It is with great excitement that we have the opportunity to return to Nicaragua, July 17 through August 1st. We will be joining our family and the D.O.A.N. team as they conclude a three-month mission trip in Nicaragua.

We will be helping build a community kitchen that has the capability to serve food to over 300 street children living in one of the largest trash dumps in this country.

We will also be establishing a safe house for homeless youth. This safe house will serve as a refuge for kids who are at risk of being physically, mentally and emotionally abused due to living on the streets. The safe house will provide the opportunity for youth at risk to receive physical and spiritual healing, food, clothing, and education,” adds Thurner.

Contact Jedidiah at jedidiah@exclusivedeserthomes.com if you’d like to help, contribute or find out more. You can also visit www.thedesireofallnations.com directly.

Top photo: Jedidiah is 3rd person from the right, in a light green shirt. His wife Amber is the person to the right of Jedidiah. Bottom photo: A single Nicaraguan mother with her children.

545 Mile Ride Raises $10.5 Million Dollars For Charity

Agents Randy Wiemer (top left) and Robert Kalin (top right), along with Director of Education, Curt Hempel (middle photo), road their bikes from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for AIDS LifeCycle8 2009.

Collectively the 545 mile ride took 7 days and raised $10.5 million dollars for charity.

The two charities involved are the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. The funds are "designed to advance their shared interests to end the pandemic and human suffering caused by AIDS."

You can see more photos on Curt, Randy and Robert's Facebook pages.

Craig Coleman Helps Raise Money At Charity Auction

Windermere agent Craig Coleman talks about raising money for local charities with his pet chihuahua Daisy. Last year Craig and Daisy helped raise $13,000 for The Boys and Girls Club of Desert Hot Springs, The Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, The Well Of The Desert and The Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs. This year's charity auction takes place Wednesday, April 8. Contact Craig for further details.

Cell/Direct: 760-408-8062
Email: ccoleman@windermere.com
Web Site: www.CraigColeman.mywindermere.com