‘Dinner with Patsi’ Keeps the Donations Coming

What to do with a walk-in closet full of drag? That was the question that Thommy Kocan (aka Patsi) pondered in 2015 when he moved to Cathedral City with his husband Michael. After a couple of cocktails with a friend, the concept of ‘Dinner with Patsi’ was born. The concept was a simple one – inviting people to join each other for dinner at a local Cathedral City restaurant, have a meal and conversation, and throw spare change into a red hat at the end of the evening, that would then be given to local charities and organizations.

The first dinner was held on September 20, 2017, and although there were only 13 in attendance, $250 found its way into that red hat for the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City. Now, seven years later, ‘Dinner with Patsi,’ a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has given away over $115,000 to multiple local organizations like Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, the Cathedral City Senior Center and Food Bank, the Cathedral City Professional Firefighters Association, S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, Cake 4 Kids, Cathedral City Performing Arts & Band program, and others.

“‘Dinner with Patsi’ is available to everyone, and red hat contributions are accepted at any level. Each person gives only what they can. You’re going to dinner anyway, so why not have dinner with a drag queen,” says Thommy.

Thommy and Dinner with Patsi have been honored to receive the 2019 Coachella Valley Unforgettable Hearts Award, 2020/2021 Cathedral City Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award, 2022 Cathedral City Mayor’s Award, 2023 Palm Springs Pride Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award, and 2023 Palm Springs Hot Rodeo Community Grand Marshall.

Thommy tells GED Magazine that he is looking to expand philanthropy with larger events, scholarships, sponsorships and more. Currently working to raise money for a new van for Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, and for school supplies and books to local community schools. “We plan on continuing with our mission of community support for years to come.”

On September 18^th, ‘Dinner with Patsi’ will be celebrating its seven-year anniversary at Barrel District from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. So come and join in the fun!