Amy’s Purpose volunteer aims to save pets’ lives

When actress Elaine Church retired to the desert more than two dozen years ago, she did not rest on her acting laurels and simply play in the sun. She did what she has always done: She enthusiastically jumped into the community, using her talents to make a difference through philanthropy.

The Rancho Mirage resident, originally from Manchester, England, soon found herself co-chairing the Broken Glass Awards for the just launched local chapter of Women in Film & Television (PSWIFT), an organization she had been involved with in Los Angeles.

“I met the late Leanna Bonamici just as she was beginning to form the local chapter of PSWIFT,” said the actress who is probably best known for her roles in TV’s “Barnaby Jones” and “Doctors Hospital” as well as films such as “Justine” and the controversial “Killing of Sister George.”

After a dozen years on the board of PSWIFT, Church was destined to follow her heart once again in philanthropy — this time for her other love: animals. After her close friend DeAnn Lubell’s rescue dog, Amy, was killed by three coyotes, there emerged a new way for her to use both her talents and her heart.

“I stepped down from PSWIFT and joined the board of Amy’s Purpose,” Church said. “I knew that DeAnn’s strong resolve to begin Amy’s Purpose would help her heal from such a devastating loss, while helping others avoid similar losses. I wanted to be a part of that important work.”

Church stepped up to do what she does best: taking charge of crucial fundraising events for the nonprofit, which aims to save pets’ lives through predator awareness as well as to eradicate the critical shortage of pet care workers by supporting animal science college education. To date, the organization has awarded 20 scholarships to the College of the Desert Partnership and Community Education Veterinary Program.

“DeAnn is one of the hardest working women I know and such an inspiration,” Church said. “Our little Amy had a purpose, and now we can help the world of animals even more because of her.”

“Elaine is bright, beautiful, talented and has a heart of gold,” said Lubell, founder of Amy’s Purpose. “When she commits to a project, she goes in 100% and gets the job done and done brilliantly.”

Church and her co-chair, David Sullivan, are currently busy at work heading the program for the next major Amy’s Purpose fundraiser on Oct. 13. “An Evening of Liberace” will take place at Casa de Monte Vista, the historic estate where the Golden Globe-winning movie “Behind the Candelabra” was filmed.

“I’m very excited about this unique fundraising event, which is really more of a party,” Church said. “From the moment you enter and explore the historic grounds of the Liberace estate, there (will be) something happening — cocktails at the Tequila Bar where George Clooney shot a commercial, entertainment by Francesca Amari, psychics, models casually wandering in colorful outfits, great food to sample and, of course, the Liberace tribute concert on the main lawn.”

For more information on Amy’s Purpose or to purchase tickets for “An Evening of Liberace,” visit amyspurpose.net.

Kathy Strong, a writer and travel book author, is on the board of Amy’s Purpose.