Cathedral City Celebrates Thommy Kocan's 65th Birthday with Patsi Fundraising Event

Tonight, Cathedral City is buzzing with excitement as friends, family, and community members come together to honor Thommy Kocan, the man behind the beloved "Dinners with Patsi" fundraiser. While Thommy is turning 65, the spotlight is also on Patsi, his iconic drag persona, who has been dedicated to raising funds for local causes through her charity dinners held every third Wednesday in Cathedral City.

Since its inception, Patsi’s efforts have raised more than $100,000 for various Cathedral City charities. She’s even funded a choir trip to Berlin. This milestone was officially recognized earlier today when the mayor of Cathedral City presented Patsi with a proclamation, celebrating her ongoing contributions to the community.

The celebration includes not only a birthday tribute to Thommy but also a fundraising auction featuring a special cake from the "Cake for Kids" initiative. This organization ensures no child goes without a birthday cake, even those as old as 17 who’ve never had one. The cake is being auctioned tonight to further support the cause.

Local drag performer Ethylina Kan, who has known Patsi for years, spoke to the importance of Patsi’s work, highlighting how she helps everyone in the community, from seniors to kids, showing that drag can be about much more than what some may assume.

Though Patsi may not be celebrating her 65th tonight—Thommy is—the love and support for both are evident. With continued success from "Dinners with Patsi," the future of Cathedral City’s charity efforts remains bright.

As the event continues, both Patsi and Thommy are being celebrated for their dedication, making tonight’s gathering a heartwarming reminder of the power of community.

For more on "Dinner with Patsi" and how you can get involved, visit the NBC Palm Springs newsroom tab online.

Live in Cathedral City, David Reese, NBC Palm Springs.