Palmer, Yogi Berra and local actor William DeVane (at right) took part in handing out the checks. The Classic’s mission is to support the many charities in the Coachella Valley. An event like this strengthens the efforts of volunteers, sponsors and tournament staff. La Quinta Mayor Don Adolph was also present for this great giveaway.

Local charities benefiting from the 2008 Classic include the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, Indio, La Quinta, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs; the Coachella Valley Boxing Club, Pathfinder Ranch, Tools for Tomorrow, West Shores Youth Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Coachella Valley Education Foundation, The Ofelia Project, Angel View Children's Foundation, Pegasus Riding Academy, Desert Blind & Handicap Association, Desert ARC, Guide Dogs of the Desert, ABC Recovery Center, Stroke Recovery Center, United Cerebral Palsy, Mourning Star, Community Blood Bank, Desert Cancer Foundation, Alano Club, The Ranch Recovery Centers, Coachella Valley Autism Society, Shelter from the Storm, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Martha's Village & Kitchen, The Well in the Desert, Family Services of the Desert, F.I.N.D., Fish of the Lower Coachella Valley, Food Now, Meals on Wheels and Eisenhower Medical Center. These charities all provide a critical service to those in need in the Coachella Valley.

Palmer presented a special grant of $250,000 to Eisenhower Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Prostate Center at Eisenhower. This will be seed money to establish the first Eisenhower Robotics Institute

The Classic has given out more than  $47 million to charity in the last 50 years.

For more information about the Eisenhower Robotics Institute, click here.

For more Pat Krause photos of this event, click here.