The Whirlwind Award was created in January of 2000, the first year of The Valley Breeze's existence, to honor those outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impression on the community.

This they do, through their devotion and dedication to making a more enjoyable and prosperous city for us all. These talented people, with their unrelenting energy have charted a course, which if realized, would be beneficial to everyone who resides in this area. Although, like all of us, they may uproot a few trees in their path, they have not been detoured nor swayed in their journey toward their final goal of moving Desert Hot Springs and the Coachella Valley forward.

A "whirlwind" is a force of energy that may manifest itself as a small, pleasant breeze, wafting over the populace, without making a big wind and the people are hardly aware of its presence. However as the energy builds and the goal is in sight, a whirlwind will increase in strength and dedication and burst ahead with a more ambitious impetus! It will not stop nor be deterred, this Whirlwind, until it has reached full strength and accomplishes what it was created to do.

As the dust settles and the skies clear, the Whirlwind has left in its wake a better and improved result; that which it had come to accomplish, all for the betterment of the city, community and those who choose to live here.

The Valley Breeze presents the Whirlwind Award each year to a person or persons who have done those significant deeds that have brought Desert Hot Springs and the community to a more desirable place in the eyes of others, whether it be publicly known or of a more private nature.

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The Valley Breeze Whirlwind Award ~ 2007-2008

Dot Reed At the last Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Installation & Awards Dinner, the Valley Breeze Whirlwind Award was presented to Dot Reed of Desert Hot Springs Soroptimist, who was way overdue for this award. Dot has been an outstanding citizen and representative of Desert Hot Springs since moving here in late 70s.Dot  has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to bring Desert Hot Springs into the 21st Century. She is a former Desert Hot Springs City Councilmember and a  past recipient of the coveted Inspiration Award. Dot is probably more responsible for DHS having the Veterans' Memorial Park than anyone in the City. Our community and our valley is blessed to have someone of her caliber, who cares for the our welfare, working so diligently to make living in Desert Hot Springs as pleasant as it is.

Dot Reed & Publisher Buzz Gambill

Congrats, Dot...You're Special!

Dot Reed

Whirlwind Award Winner

2007 - 2008

Mary Gibson

Whirlwind Award Winner

2006 - 2007

Dr. Paul Ross

Whirlwind Award Winner

2005 - 2006

Jo Lynn Slaughter

Whirlwind Award Winner

2004 - 2005

Angelo & Rula Avramidis

Whirlwind Award Winner

2003- 2004

Colleen Peters

Whirlwind Award Winner

2002 - 2003

John Furbee

Whirlwind Award Winner 2001- 2002