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Katie Stice and her nephew Caleb who just had his 10th Birthday.

Dlnews News Events:

A night of inspiration, imagination, and a little bit of margarita magic is on the horizon as the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert gears up for the “Bright Beginnings” fundraiser on Tuesday, February 18, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Las Casuelas Nuevas in Rancho Mirage. Hosted by Board of Director Chair Catherine Robinson of First American Title and Fundraising Committee Chair Erika Unruh of Stonegate West Real Estate Group, this lively evening will serve up more than just delicious bites—it will dish out a vision of a reIMAGINED future for the beloved museum. 

For many in the Coachella Valley, the museum has been more than just a building—it’s been a launchpad for childhood wonder. But every great adventure needs a refresh, and that’s precisely what’s underway. The museum’s transformation is ambitious, promising new interactive experiences like a wild noodle forest, a culinary playground where kids can whip up “grasshopper tacos” in the Garden Taco Stand, and an exhilarating Net Climbing Structure that invites young explorers to reach new heights—literally.  

“It’s about bringing learning to life in the most playful, engaging way possible,” said Robinson, who has been at the forefront of the museum’s reIMAGINATION. “The museum has always been a cornerstone of early childhood education in our region, and we are committed to ensuring that future generations of desert children have a space to dream, explore, and create.” 

Link for tickets: Bright Beginnings: Fundraiser for Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert Tickets, Tue, Feb 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

The event is as much about fun as it is about fundraising. With generous support from Andres and Tajah Delgado and the team at Las Casuelas Nuevas, guests will be welcomed with a margarita in hand and a menu featuring light bites steeped in five decades of Casuelas family tradition. The atmosphere will be one of celebration, but with an underlying mission—to rally the community around the museum’s reopening and ensure its future continues to sparkle as brightly as the eyes of the children who walk through its doors.  

Data from the museum’s past programs underscore its impact. Before its temporary closure, the museum engaged over 60,000 visitors annually, and its school programs served nearly 10,000 children across the Coachella Valley. Studies consistently show that hands-on learning environments like those at the Children’s Discovery Museum enhance cognitive development, foster problem-solving skills, and, perhaps most importantly, make learning fun. It’s not just play—it’s foundational. 

“This is a critical moment for the museum,” added Unruh. “Every ticket purchased, every dollar raised, helps ensure that this space continues to be a hub of creativity and discovery. We want to build something that inspires generations to come.” 

For those eager to participate in this momentous chapter, tickets are available on Eventbrite for $125 per person. It’s an investment in the future that promises to bring endless curiosity, laughter, and learning back to the children of the desert.