16th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala

PALM SPRINGS -Saturday’s rain was not a problem for one of the desert’s biggest charity events of the year.

The 16th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Galawas held Saturday evening at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The event is the primary fundraiser for the Desert AIDS Project, and honors people who have made a significant contribution to the fight againstHIV and AIDS.

Among the honorees tonight actress Ann-Margret and fashion designer Bob Mackie, who knew Steve Chase growing up.

“I’ll never forget him,” said Mackie.”His mother was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher in school, so you know, it goes way back, and what he did was so fantastic, both as an artist and as an activist, so I’m very proud to be here.”

Organizers aimed to raise more than a million dollars for the DesertAIDS Project.