News from: Dinner with Patsi

Since 2017, local notable Thommy “Miss Patsi” Kocan has raised over $35,000 for charities across the city. On Wednesday September 16, 2020, Kocan will host Dinner with Patsi at Sunshine Café, benefiting the Cathedral City Senior Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City and to mark three years of fundraising for local nonprofits.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses and nonprofit organizations are struggling. Few, if any, customers weigh heavily on restaurants, bars, and retail stores – businesses that rely on local customers to keep their doors open and employees paid. Now more than ever, small businesses and nonprofits we know and love need our support. That’s why Patsi chooses a local Cathedral City business as the host restaurant; creating crucial business for local restaurateurs. After all, supporting local business also supports the local economy and community; potentially providing a job for a neighbor or friend.

Kocan chooses various restaurants in Cathedral City to give them a boost. The monthly dinner dates, which started with a handful of friends and have grown to dozens of attendees in packed restaurants, started because Kocan wanted to do something to make a difference in the community. “I love Cathedral City, and it’s a community with a lot of need, so I knew I had to do something to help,” Kocan said. “I decided to bring together good people over good food for a good cause. It started with loose change tossed in a hat at the end of the meal, and has grown as word has spread across the community. Seeing what we’ve been able to do — and having a good time doing it — has been the best reward.”

Miss Patsi selects a beneficiary charity each month from a handful of local favorites – including the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, Cathedral City Senior Center, Southern California Jazz Foundation, Transgender Health and Wellness Center, Cathedral City High School Chamber Choir & Band, and the Cathedral City Police Officers Fund, which helps the Homeless Program & Youth Explorers Program – with the very specific aim of doing good right where Patsi lives. “It’s just not acceptable to me that we have people in this community that go hungry,” Kocan said, which is why Dinner with Patsi also collects nonperishables each month for the Cathedral City Senior Center food bank.

“I want to go bigger, raise more, do better in the year ahead,” Kocan said. “As long as there’s a need in our community, Patsi will be there, passing the hat, and making a difference.”
“Congratulations to Patsi on her 3rd year anniversary of doing such great work for our community. She has raised tens of thousands of dollars for a variety of needy charities and nonprofits that directly benefit the many individuals and families of our city! Patsi is truly one of a kind and a tremendous community asset who works tirelessly and volunteers on many fronts to improve our community. Thommy Kocan has also served for 3 years on the city’s public events commission… thank you Patsi for all that you (and Michael) do for all of us!”
John Aguilar, Cathedral City Mayor

“Happy third anniversary to Dinner with Patsi! The people and places in Cathedral City make it special. Patsi is an ambassador for our city’s distinctive character. With every event, she collects food that feeds our community’s seniors. Patsi’s commitment to Cathedral City Senior Center’s Food Bank and to making certain that people do not go hungry is unmatched. Every Dinner with Patsi, raises lifesaving money for charity, creates crucial business for local restaurateurs, and gives a much-needed opportunity for everyday people to become involved with their city, the businesses, and charities that keep us healthy. What a beautiful champion for people in need.”
Geoff Corbin, Executive Director, Cathedral City Senior Center

“It really warms your heart to see the community turn out in support of our kids, over and over again,” he said. “That’s the power of Patsi bringing people together for a good cause!”
Scott Robinson, CEO Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City

“Hosting Dinner with Patsi at the Sunshine Cafe means I’m able to give our employees extra hours while we are supporting worthwhile charities in our city. To have her support at this time of uncertainty is a gift. Dinner with Patsi is stepping up to help not only us but also our own Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, & the Cathedral City Senior Center. Way to go Patsi.”
Jay Sherman, Owner Sunshine Café

“Because of his goodwill, the students of Cathedral City High School have been the lucky recipients of the entire community’s love and support. We cannot continue to offer the breadth of our award-winning program without your help! We truly appreciate your compassion and altruism! Thank you.”
F. May Le Roy, Director of Choirs, Cathedral City High School, Nellie N. Coffman Middle School

“The Cathedral City Senior Center is honored to be among the beneficiaries of the ‘Dinner with Patsi’ non-profit fundraising events. CCSC’s Food Bank program could not meet our community’s needs without the monthly reminders from Patsi that A) The CC Senior Center exists and B) has a Food Bank program that desperately needs support in the way of funding and food.  Without ‘Dinner with Patsi’, we would not be able to accommodate the 125 low-income households that are served on the first and third Mondays of each month. Not only do the ‘Dinner With Patsi’ events bring in cash and canned goods, Patsi’s fans & loyal followers also volunteer with us at our distribution events and many behind-the-scenes hours of back- breaking work during the hot Summer months and cold, pre-dawn mornings the whole year through. Patsi is more than a pretty face in a fabulous frock – she is a fundraising powerhouse whose contributions compare to corporate Business Partners at the highest level and we could not be prouder or more grateful to have her by our side.”
Ron Casidine – Operations Manager, Cathedral City Senior Center

“Patsi is an example of collaboration and love for our next generation! That is my idea of the BIG PICTURE!!!
Kimberly Krause, Owner of Konnections Certification Inc. Board member of Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce, Cathedral City Evening Rotary, ElderLove USA and Unforgettables Foundation