Amy’s Purpose Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to pet safety and predator awareness, will host a cocktail mixer honoring Bruce Fessier on March 1 at Willie’s Modern Fare in Rancho Mirage.
Bruce Fessier, who is considered a champion by Amy’s Purpose, was a 40-year award-winning writer-editor for The Desert Sun as well as an accomplished event producer, according to background information One of his successes has been in partnering with Amy's Purpose to fund scholarships in veterinary studies to combat a shortage of vets in the desert region.
“It is extremely important to entice graduating students and adults wanting to go into a second career to become interested in the field of animal sciences,” Amy’s Purpose President DeAnn Lubell said in a press release. “Support to raise funds for Amy’s Purpose scholarships will greatly benefit the health of pets in our desert communities.”
Fessier will be honored on March 1 at a special Amy’s Purpose mixer with what the nonprofit considers a well-deserved tribute. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Willie's, located at 69830 Highway 111.
Fessier’s dog Gracie was killed shortly after a lunch meeting with Lubell, during which she had updated him about how Amy’s Purpose is addressing the shortage crisis of veterinarians, vet technicians and vet assistants in the high and low deserts. Soon after, Fessier joined the nonprofit's crusade and worked many hours to obtain a partnership with the College of the Desert’s Partnership and Community Education Veterinary Assistant program to set up scholarships for those interested in pursuing careers in animal sciences.
With Fessier’s efforts, Amy’s Purpose produced a rock concert benefit, “Pet Love and Rock & Roll,” to fundraise for Amy’s Purpose and veterinary assistant scholarships. The success of this event inspired many people to donate enough funding to provide $3,200 in scholarships to 18 students, five of which were matched by the College of the Desert Foundation. Six scholarship recipients are enrolled in studies now and will graduate in March, and six more individuals will be awarded scholarships in the next two sessions. The hope is that some of these students will go on to become veterinary technicians or veterinarians in desert cities.
The cost of the cocktail mixer is $35 per person and includes appetizers, beer and wine. Cocktails will be available for purchase. This is an indoor event and attire is desert casual. Those interested in attending may visit amyspurpose.net to click on the event tab and buy tickets or call 760-831-3090.