Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Event raises money to fight cancer

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 | 9:43 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@prodigy.net.

The recent Fashion Targets Breast Cancer shopping weekend was a joint venture developed by Saks Fifth Avenue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which counts as its members such luminaries as Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. The weekend event was the first nationwide charity shopping initiative ever undertaken by Saks and most gratifyingly raised more than $2 million in these few days.

Local proceeds totaling more than $12,000 were directed to the Las Vegas affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Assisting on the local level were co-sponsors, which included General Motors and American Express.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is the nation's leading advocate for funding breast cancer research as well as education, screening and treatment. There are more than 100 affiliate chapters in the U.S.A., including the one in Las Vegas, as well as four newly founded European facilities.

Established in 1983 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36, the foundation has raised more than $176 million to fight this deadly disease. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women ages 40-59. This year it is estimated that 182,800 women will be diagnosed while 40,800 women will die of breast cancer. Contact the local offices of the foundation at 822-2324 for further details.

Fashion fest

"Fashions In Bloom," a luncheon and fashion show to benefit Faith Lutheran Junior-Senior High School, was held Sunday at Palace Station. An enthusiastic crowd of students with family members and friends attended. Principal Kevin Dunning opened the afternoon program, welcoming to the stage musical director Sandra Youmans with her young singers and handbell ensemble, who entertained during the meal.

As Dunning later explained at the luncheon table, Faith Lutheran Junior-Senior High School is a private Christian school teaching students in grades six through 12. The school moved to the campus in Summerlin in the fall of 1998. Its expanding enrollment of 630 will continue to grow with the completion of phase two, which includes a bank of nine classrooms and full gymnasium. Faith Lutheran has an enviable record of sending nearly 95 percent of its graduates directly to college. The school offers a full curriculum of the arts, drama and athletics, as well as foreign language and sciences.

"Fashions In Bloom" was chaired by Vicki Quinn with a committee including Barbara Moore, Cindi Godino, Sandy Falls, Janis Aberle, Amy Black, Julie Jones and Jeannie Done, as well as Margie Desruisseaux, Kelly Doyle and Wendy Black. Attending guests included Gary Black, Monica Guinn, Arlene Mack, Karla McComb and Sandy Grossano. Coordinating the fashions from Macy's was Leslie Mack, who directed nearly 80 student models, among them Georgina Vaughn, Karlie Cameron, Joshua Anderson, Brittany Eubank, JoNeale Rasmussen, Ashley Luttrel, Catherine Crockett, and Elisa and Victoria Black, as well as Amy Nicole Morgan, who was celebrating her 13th birthday.

Well-discussed at the luncheon was Faith Lutheran School's first "Crusaders' Ball," a fund-raiser scheduled for April l at Spanish Trail Country Club. Money raised by the "Crusaders' Ball" will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for the Bill and Eliser Koerwitz Resource-Library Center. Tickets for the dinner dance are $60 per person with reservations by calling 804-4400.

Remembering Joe

One of the most popular events of spring, the annual Joe Williams Memorial Music Scholarship fund-raiser, has been slated for March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Horn Theatre at the Cheyenne campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada. Legendary blues vocalist Ruth Brown, with special guest Roz Ryan, and the CCSN All-Star Band will provide the entertainment.

Brown, a Las Vegas resident, has recorded and performed with top jazz and blues artists around the world. For this performance she will be assisted by composter/conductor Johnny Pate. Roz Ryan most recently appeared as Matron Mama Morton in the musical "Chicago" at Mandalay Bay. She will perform a selection of jazz standards arranged by her conductor (and master trombonist) Barry Ross.

Proceeds from the concert will directly fund the Joe Williams Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, which assists music students attending CCSN. The scholarship program was established by jazz great Joe Williams in 1989. Reserved tickets are $25 with further details and reservations by calling 651-5483.