Cathedral City Council Member Rita Lamb to Highlight 20th Annual International Day of Peace Awards Ceremony

Cathedral City Council Member Rita Lamb will serve as a featured speaker at the 20th Annual Peace Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The event will be held at Miracle Springs Resort Joshua Tree Room, 10625 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs. The ceremony is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.

The ceremony, which has taken place annually since 2006, is co-sponsored by Jon Castro Veterans for Peace (VFP) Chapter and American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 of Palm Springs.

Council Member Lamb, who served as keynote speaker last year, will provide opening remarks on peace and introduce this year's keynote speaker, Stephanie Manesis. Manesis is the director and producer of Zen Lily Films and will be traveling to the desert from Fargo, North Dakota, for the event.

As a longtime sponsor of the ceremony and recipient of the "Friend of the Veteran Award," Council Member Lamb has been a dedicated advocate for veterans for many years.

Featured Speakers and Award Recipients

Additional speakers include Bob McKechnie of the Cathedral City Peace Initiative, who will share his organization's accomplishments over the past year. McKechnie received a Peace Day Award two years ago. Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro Tem Gary Gardner will also address attendees.

This year's Peace Day Award recipients include:

• Marcie Maxwell, former State Representative in Washington State
• USO of the Desert
• Palm Desert City Council Member Karina Quintanilla
• Joshua Dunn, Gaza ceasefire activist
• Anyse Smith, community leader
• Rev. James Bowes of Peace Lutheran Church in Palm Desert
• Inland Coalition for Immigration Justice in San Bernardino

About International Day of Peace

In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 36/67 establishing the International Day of Peace (IDP) "to devote specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways."

Peace Day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It is also designated as a Day of Ceasefire - both personal and political - encouraging people to make peace in their own relationships while working to impact larger conflicts.

The 2025 Global Peace Day theme is "Act Now for a Peaceful World: Cultivating a Culture of Peace."

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: Miracle Springs Resort Joshua Tree Room, 10625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Refreshments: Light food and beverages will be served

For more information, contact Tom Swann Hernandez at (760) 324-5670 or [email protected].