--- ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/dc/094b7-dc4e639e.jpg) [ LGBTQ ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq) # The Leslies' 36th Annual Toy Drive and Fundraiser to Support Transgender/Gender Diverse Youth and Youth Affected by HIV/AIDS November 20 2024 Written by Margot Anderson. FUNDRAISER - Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of generosity and celebration! On Saturday, December 7, 2024, The Leslies’ 36th Annual Toy Drive and Fundraiser will be held at the prestigious Dinah Shore Estate in Palm Springs, promising a night of luxury and purpose. This year’s event will feature a gourmet, catered meal crafted by celebrity chef Franco De Dominicis, a hosted bar, and an evening filled with music entertainment. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions, with an array of exciting items available for bidding both in person and online. ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/094b8.jpg) *Sam & Ashan Leslie - Hosts* Proceeds from the event will benefit The Laurel Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering transgender and gender-diverse youth and youth affected by HIV/AIDS. Through their free mental health and social support programs, The Laurel Foundation continues to be a ray of hope for vulnerable young people across the country. This year’s Toy Drive takes on heightened significance as shifts in the political landscape pose new challenges to these communities. The Leslies and their supporters recognize the urgent need to rally around at-risk youth and provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive. “We are thrilled to bring the community together at such a remarkable venue for a cause that truly matters,” said Margot Anderson Founder and CEO of The Laurel Foundation. “It’s not just about giving back—it’s about showing our youth that they are seen, valued, and supported.” ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Nov-2024/094b6.jpg) *Former Dinah Shore Estate - Palm Springs* This year’s Sponsors include City of Palm Springs, Mattel, The Printing Palace, Bright, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, El Paseo Jewelers, Henderson Engineers, CityWatchLA, KGAY Gay Desert Guide and more. Please visit [ToyDrive2024.Givesmart.com](https://www.citywatchla.com/ToyDrive2024.Givesmart.com) to learn more. **How to Participate:** - Tickets, sponsorships, and donations can be made online at [ToyDrive2024.Givesmart.com](http://ToyDrive2024.Givesmart.com). - Auction participation is open to all, whether attending in person or virtually. - For more information about The Laurel Foundation and their vital work, visit [Laurel-Foundation.org](http://Laurel-Foundation.org). Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an elegant evening while making a difference in the lives of young people who need it most. Join us in creating a brighter future—one child at a time. ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Nov-2024/094b4.jpg) *Youth Clients at Camp Mulberry* TOY DRIVE FUNDRAISER Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024 Location: Dinah Shore Estate, Palm Springs Time: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM This year’s Toy Drive will be the most impactful yet! ### [For Tickets and Information](http://ToyDrive2024.Givesmart.com) [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad") [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1") [ ![LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/2026%20LADWP%20PowerSavers%20300x250.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)") [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign") [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)") [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col") ### Exploring LA With Nick Cabot Rodriguez ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays First Name [ ![Rhonda Haymon](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/rhonda%20haymon%20for%20judge.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/113 "Rhonda Haymon campaign") [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") [ ![Spa](https://www.citywatchla.com/images//ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental2%208-11-26.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/109 "Me Dental Spa") [ ![Cheap Gas](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/cheap-gas2-10-24.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/96 "Home - Cheap Gas") [ ![Neighborhood Council Map](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/nc-map-graphic.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/89 "Home - Neighborhood Council Map") [ ![Neighborhood Council Meetings Here](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/NewsPromos/nc-meeting%20banner.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/90 "Home - Neighborhood Council Meetings Here") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/28/077a-28f4c04a.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/housing/33413-with-national-implications-corporate-landlords-take-aim-at-three-pro-rent-control-campaigns-in-california) ### [With National Implications, Corporate Landlords Take Aim at Three Pro-Rent Control Campaigns in California](https://www.citywatchla.com/housing/33413-with-national-implications-corporate-landlords-take-aim-at-three-pro-rent-control-campaigns-in-california) HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT - Corporate landlords and their high-powered lobbying group, the California Apartment Associat… [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e4/076m2-e4940934.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33386-massacre-on-city-streets-mayor-bass-must-issue-an-emergency-declaration-now) ### [Massacre on City Streets: Mayor Bass Must Issue an Emergency Declaration Now](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33386-massacre-on-city-streets-mayor-bass-must-issue-an-emergency-declaration-now) NICK'S VIEW - I have previously written about Los Angeles’s grim paradox: a city that promises safer streets while bein… [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/47/076g-478febfa.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/33395-should-dwp-ratepayers-pay-for-the-citys-streetlights) ### [Should DWP Ratepayers Pay for the City’s Streetlights? ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/33395-should-dwp-ratepayers-pay-for-the-citys-streetlights) LA WATCHDOG - In June, 80% of Los Angeles voters rejected the Bureau of Street Lighting’s ballot measure to increase th… [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/87/076b-874ab885.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/neighborhood-politics/33398-why-are-la-officials-ignoring-illegal-rv-parking-on-washington-blvd) ### [Why Are LA Officials Ignoring Illegal RV Parking on Washington Blvd?](https://www.citywatchla.com/neighborhood-politics/33398-why-are-la-officials-ignoring-illegal-rv-parking-on-washington-blvd) WESTSIDE - Washington Blvd here in Venice is a main artery and corridor to the beach and pier. It is in fact a gateway… [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/65/077d-653c208b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/guest-words/33419-they-tried-to-break-the-jewish-people-we-kept-building) ### [They Tried to Break the Jewish People. We Kept Building](https://www.citywatchla.com/guest-words/33419-they-tried-to-break-the-jewish-people-we-kept-building) A STUDENT’S VIEW - My generation of Jews has learned something I wish we did not have to learn so young: antisemitism i… --- ## [ LGBTQ ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq) [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e7/074n2-e71c6111.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/33356-the-laurel-foundation-launches-the-art-of-online-auction-to-benefit-programs-for-lgbtq-youth-and-families)### [The Laurel Foundation Launches THE ART OF\_ Online Auction to Benefit Programs for LGBTQ+ Youth and Families](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/33356-the-laurel-foundation-launches-the-art-of-online-auction-to-benefit-programs-for-lgbtq-youth-and-families) [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/3d/071e2-3d40aca0.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/33296-34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own)### [34 Years After Camp Laurel Began for Kids With HIV, Its First Campers Return With Children of Their Own](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/33296-34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own) [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/97/025h-97bb9ae9.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32477-attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda)### [Attacks on Transgender Women Are Part of a Larger MAGA Agenda](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32477-attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda) [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a2/013r-a27d6a52.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32267-pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive)### [Pride Flag Returns to Stonewall as New York Officials Defy Federal Directive](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32267-pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive) [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a2/012f-a2ed361b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32245-california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth)### [California LGBTQ Community Still Worried For Transgender Youth](https://www.citywatchla.com/lgbtq/32245-california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth)