Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Christmas Box contains great gift for foundation

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 | 8:18 a.m.

More than 500 of Las Vegas' elite attended this year's Christmas Box gala, a fundraiser for the Sunrise Children's Foundation.

The Nov. 20 event at the MGM Grand Conference Center opened with a reception, where guests bid on themed silent auction boxes, each representative of the dozen education programs operated by SCF.

Auction items, including trees, a Bichon Frise puppy from Pet Central and a commissioned oil portrait by artist Giovanna Raccosta, drew bids from Steve Stallworth (Orleans Arena) and Stephanie Stall- worth (Cox Communications), SCF chairman-elect Lincoln Spoor (Krispy Kreme Donuts), Dr. "Curly" J. Parker and Claire Kurlinski, newly elected state Sen. Dr. Joe Heck and his wife, Lisa, and attorney Tina Walls.

The crowd was generous. Jeweler Michael Minden, with his daughters Aspen and Summer, was drawn to the "Take Me Back to Toyland" box, while Dr. Brian and Suzanne Cram, Vicki Herman, Christ Taylor, Jordie Primack and Arthur Montes spread out to place their bids across the room of treasures.

Frank and Bonnie Martin, who later took home a limited-edition bowl and pitcher set of finest Baccarat crystal from the live auction, were seen with Ken Ladd (U.S. Bank) and his wife, Dee, president/chief executive of the foundation, who chaired the benefit evening.

Dinner, a leisurely delight of four courses prepared by the MGM Grand banquet chefs, included ceremonies recognizing Kevin Orrock (Howard Hughes Corporation), his wife, Diana, and son, Chad, as special family contributors.

Honored for corporate support with its "Kohl's Cares About Kids" program was Kohl's Department stores, which has adopted the foundation as its charity of choice. Through the Las Vegas Kohl's stores' sales of selected Gund stuffed animals and books, more than $27,000 has been directed to SCF in the past year.

Earlier in the evening Peter Fleiss presented a $10,000 check (proceeds of the Corporate Angel Network's recent raffle with Flying magazine's readers) to the foundation.

Concluding the awards were "I Have A Dream" scholarships for Michael Luevanos and his sisters Valencia and Lucinda, who will be mentored through junior and senior high school and supported as they attend college. The children are among those served by the foundation and the first among them to be selected for this philanthropic effort.

In the crowd of supporters were Bruce and Barbara Lee Woollen (Art de Vignettes), Nancy Gasho, Judy Jenson (Studio 302), Ken Ratigan (Las Vegas Hilton), Richard and Betty Hanseen, Ann Lynch (Sunrise Hospital), Dr. Tom and Nell Cinque, Rossi Ralenkotter and Rob Powers (Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority) and Dr. Dan and Liz Newburn.

Sunrise Children's Foundation provides programs combating teen pregnancy and smoking, assists with prenatal and pediatric health care, serves our community with parenting classes and after-school programs where sign language and other skills are offered, and offers life-saving instruction.

Tea and philanthropy

The Fall Fantasy Garden Party & High Tea, held Nov. 13 at the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, offered music, a bit of education and a boost for students at the University of Southern Nevada.

Linn Mills of Las Vegas Big Springs Preserve gave an insightful and often amusing talk on drought-resistant plants and desert landscaping. Judith Pinkerton of Music 4 Life added a certain grace to the affair with a violin performance.

Delectable pastries (Chocolate Swan) and teas (True Tea) were provided for guests, among them Joanne Thomas, Carie Diamond, June Beland, Cherole Pils, Karla Labbe, Mavis McGarry and Mary Grear, who relaxed with friends to enjoy fashions modeled at the table from Elton's and Nora Blue, both at Mandalay Place.

Proceeds from the tea and a silent auction will be used to create scholarships for the newly formed University of Southern Nevada, a private institution created in 2000.

The university is under expansion with new programs for creating, communicating and applying knowledge about drugs and drug therapy management.

The tea, a first-ever event for the university, was co-chaired by Karen Scherer (A Flamingo Glass & Engraving) and Tina Ratsy (Mandalay Place), with supportive roles by emcee Paula Francis (KLAS Channel 8), Jackie Peng (True Tea) and Bibiana Deaver (House of Blue Foundation), who arranged for the use of the spacious dining room with its panoramic views and exotic Asian art.

Others making the day a success included Jackie Seip, Deborah Colwell, Scott Salinas (Elton's menswear) and Shari Greenbaum (Nora Blue fashions).

Seen at the elegant affair were Marsha Irvin, northeast region superintendent of the Clark County School District; Jan Musante; Jean Gordon; Regina Campbell; Dr. Dawn Green; Katrina Palmer; Sondra Wojewodka; Kathleen Bauer; Dr. Mable Smith; Dr. Adele Zorn; Suzy Baldwin; Barbara Wood; Dr. Eucharia Nnadi; and Mary Basta.

Charity dinner

Mariposa restaurant at Neiman Marcus was the locale for a Nov. 18 charitable dinner and fashion show to benefit the American Help Foundation.

Board chairman Lance Bradford and executive director Sal Guy coordinated the exclusive dinner for nearly 100 guests.

Neiman Marcus offered the array of morning-to-evening clothing modeled in casual fashion by Cindy Braden, personal trainer and owner of Work 4 It, and Dr. Robert Braden (Valley Chiropractic). The two-person fashion show was filmed by The Discovery Channel for its 12-week series, "National Body Challenge." Cindy and her sister, Lisa Lowe, who has a goal of losing 60 pounds, will be featured on the program, scheduled to air in 2005.

Attending guests, each enjoying the superb meal prepared by Mariposa chefs, included Tom Smith (Wells Fargo), Dr. Anthony Pollard (Rainbow Medical Center), Cher Calvin (KVVU Channel 3), Mike Shustek (Vestin Mortgage), Dr. Greg Dean (Associate Radiation), Beverly House-Meyers (Republic Mortgage) and Robert Kneesel (CEO of Republic Silver State). Funds were also generated by the lively auction of golf packages from Dragonridge, Anthem and Las Vegas country clubs, in addition to luxurious Ritz-Carlton air and hotel packages and Neiman Marcus personal shopper services and gift certificates.