Community Grand Marshals Lee Walton & Phil Catali
When Lee and Phil met in the San Francisco Bay area there was an immediate connection. That connection has lasted for 17 years. They were legally married in July 2008 in San Francisco. In the Bay Area they were members of the Bayland Frontrunners. However, in January 1997 they relocated to Palm Springs and found there were no organized athletic, healthful organizations for the GLBT community. Thus, the idea was born to organize a chapter of the Frontrunners here.
On March 1, 1997, after contacting the local media and handing out flyers and pamphlets throughout the city, Phil and Lee waited in the parking lot of the Mizell Center, the scheduled meeting place, for the hoards of those interested to arrive. No one arrived! After 6 weeks of loneliness some one finally did show up. Since then the hoards did arrive. Presently, the club has had more than 1,500 members.
Palm Springs Front Runners and Walkers was initially founded to promote fitness and social activities, but early on Lee and Phil decided that the club should be philanthropic as well. The idea was to give back to the community. And, give back the club did. Over the years the club has been a major player in giving to local non-profit organizations. The club held many charitable events, including an annual Pride 5K run and walk that has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars going to local organizations. Some of the organizations and groups that were designated beneficiaries have been DAP, AIDS Assistance Program, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Animal Samaritans, Gay Associated Youth, Mizell Senior Center, Caballeros, Desert Winds Freedom Band, Golden Rainbow Center, PFLAG and many more. Under the guidance of Lee and Phil, a tradition of being leaders in fund raising for the annual AIDS Walk was established. PSFR&W teams have been among the top fund raising teams, including once being the top team, raising more than $16,000.00.
Lee and Phil were inducted into the Rainbow Foundation Hall of Fame as outstanding community leaders. The Palm Springs Gay Veterans awarded them the outstanding community service award. PSFR&W was designated as Community Organization of the Year by the Desert Business Association, and presented the prestigious “Star” award, given by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight
Educational Network (GLSEN) for financial support. They were presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the Mayor of Palm Springs for outstanding community service.
Phil was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended high school there and in Southern California (Huntington Beach). After high school, he attended Foothill College, in Redwood City, CA. Phil owned a very successful audio visual company. Phil is presently the owner of Desert Repair and Maintenance Company in Palm Springs.
Lee was born in New Jersey, attended high school there. He is a graduate of Boston University where he was a member of the football team and later was accepted and graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Lee was married and has five loving, supportive children. He served in the military for twenty years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Lee is now retired and enjoying a life of leisure with Phil in Palm Springs and their get-away home in Dana Point.
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