PROTECT AND DEFEND'S ANNUAL PARTY IN THE DESERT GENERATES MONIES FOR THE PALM SPRINGS GAY COMMUNITY on GLINN GAY NEWS DISTRIBUTION NEWS ARTICLE 2009

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PROTECT AND DEFEND'S ANNUAL PARTY IN THE DESERT GENERATES MONIES FOR THE PALM SPRINGS GAY COMMUNITY

(07-31-09)-- Party In the Desert, or commonly known as P.I.D, is a International gathering of LGBT public safety, military, fire and EMS. Braving the temperatures of Palm Springs on July 24-26, over 180 people attended this event which unites the organization's membership for a full weekend.

Cops, firefighters, paramedics and military professionals from 31 states from California to Maine gathered for the annual venue which is the largest event of its kind for LGBT public safety in the United States. Peer Support breakout sessions for professionals, legal counseling and Protect and Defend's General Membership Meeting were also a part of the social weekend. Presidents from the organizations of New England GOAL and New York GOAL as well as Protect and Defend's Executive Board came together to discuss the partnership between the organizations and upcoming events. Protect and Defend Member Michael Honiker from Cumming, Georgia was appointed Vice President of the organization.

Protect and Defend is a nonprofit 501©3 organization that was started in California in 2003. The organization started with only 35 members and recently had a membership spike from the weekend of the event, taking its membership to 435 members. Protect and Defend offers peer support, legal counsel, social events and community venues for LGBT throughout the country. The organization is a social group that has an interactive website that allows members to network on a regular basis throughout the world. The weekend included an awards ceremony in which Palm Springs City Councilwoman Ginny Foat attended, she was awarded donations to the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and the Desert Pride Community Center. Over $1,000 was donated to charities in the Palm Springs community with over $30,000 in revenue being generated from the weekend.

The events staff of the organization is working on the next venue, a Police, Fire EMS and Military Charity Auction in the City of Las Vegas which would include members from throughout the United States. Protect and Defend is dedicated in being inclusive to LGBT public safety or service members to learn more about Protect and Defend, please check us out at : www.protectanddefend.org or call us at 213.403.0405.