More than $9,100 were raised Friday, December 17, 2010, at the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition’s (CVHC) annual Holiday Staff Luncheon. Funds were collected through donations from CVHC’s 38 staff members, who participated in a lively auction held at the staff event. The annual auction supports CVHC’s John F. Mealey Scholarship Fund, and is one of the scholarship program’s most important fundraising events of the year.

“It is a great honor and privilege to witness the generosity of CVHC’s hard working staff as they reach into their wallets and pocket books to support the JFM Scholarship Fund every year,” said John F. Mealey, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. “The annual contributions by staff allow us to sponsor more and more deserving young men and women who are pursuing a higher education.”

The staff bid back and forth amongst each other for such prizes as gift certificates to Mario’s Restaurant, Macario’s Restaurant and other local retail establishments. Most of the auction items are donated to CVHC by businesses CVHC works with throughout the year including The Home Depot.

The JFM Scholarship Fund was created eight years ago by the CVHC staff and Board of Directors to honor the more than 28 years of service of CVHC’s founding and present Executive Director John Mealey. Since its inception in 2002, the JFM Scholarship Fund has awarded $256,000 scholarships to 279 university and college-enrolled students. Recipients must be current residents of one of CVHC’s housing developments, including both its rental and Mutual Self Help homeownership housing.

The Fund also is supported by Southern California Edison, The Buster Family Foundation, Housing Assistance Council, Southwest Networks, MSA Consulting, Cardiff Limousine, the CVHC Board and private donors.
For more information and to donate to the JFM Scholarship Fund, please call 760-347-3157