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Our collective effort celebrated

The “self-made man” is a myth.

Not one of us got here solely through our own efforts. Just as we know it takes a village to raise a child, we at Grit Development realize the birth and growth of this wonderful Downtown Experience has had many, many parents.

Octavio Fernandez and I and the team at Grit Development feel privileged to have been in the delivery room as we birthed this beautiful new destination together.

No one in this country became successful on their own! Grit Development is a real estate development company, but we want to be clear: We moved materials on roads past generations paid for. We hired and supervised workers others paid to educate. Our team and construction crews were safe on this job site thanks to police and fire services this community funded.

Lest we forget, this new downtown project rose from the ground up on top of a pre-existing foundation for us to build upon.

Grit Development dedicates the downtown project to our collective effort, which we can now enjoy for years to come. Happy 2018 — it will be a great year for Palm Springs

Michael Braun and Octavio Fernandez, Grit Development, Palm Springs

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Volunteers drive local USO

Ever since World War II, the USO has tried to lift the spirits of our troops and their families. They do this by providing a place to rest and relax, especially while they travel.

They mostly do it with unpaid volunteers.

Our local Bob Hope Palm Springs USO is manned by volunteers and funded wholly by donations. About 120 volunteers staff the center year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The holiday season demands an expansion of those hours.

From Thanksgiving weekend to past the New Year’s holiday, hundreds of Marines and sailors from Twentynine Palms will pass through on leave. With the base over 70 miles from Palm Springs, early fliers may need to spend the night, while those returning on late flights also might have to overnight.

Volunteers keep the center open 24 hours per day when the need is greatest — welcoming troops, setting up sleep areas, making sure games are working, TVs are operating and handing out pillows, blankets and plenty to eat — with a lot of the food donated by the Spa Casino.

Many of the troops get free transportation from SOS (Soldiers Organized Services) volunteers.

The USO will once again accomplish its mission, with smiles from the troops as the volunteers’ reward.

Jerry Evans, Rancho Mirage