Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Health foundation’s fund-raiser a success

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 8:22 a.m.

Alarge and exuberant affair by any standard, the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation's 2004 Mardi Gras Ball at Bellagio on Saturday embraced a sense of warmth, continuity and community support for the St. Rose Dominican Hospital group.

The St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation provides a broad base of health education and preventative health programs and assists in lessening the burden of health costs for low-income patients. Money raised at Saturday's Mardi Gras event will be used throughout Southern Nevada.

Begun 47 years ago when St. Rose was a single facility in Henderson, the Mardi Gras Ball has grown with unstinting efforts by physicians and health care professionals, suppliers, drug companies, business leaders and citizens across Southern Nevada.

The ball opened with a hosted reception, where Laurie Susie, newly appointed president of the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation, was able to meet many arriving guests.

Also mingling were Rod Davis, president-chief executive of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Daniel Foley, chairperson of the foundation, and dinner committee members Claire and Rich MacDonald, Selma and Troy Bartlett, Lou Emmert, Aydie and Bob Unger, Mary and Dan Stewart, John and Rene O'Reilly, Joni and Howard Mann and Denise and Hugh Anderson, joined by Sen. Richard Bryan and his wife, Bonnie, Kathleen and Randall Jones, John Kilduff, Diana Foley and Sig Rogich.

Honored in ceremonies for special contributions was Dr. J. Paul Wiesner, who once again provided the superb wines to complement the gourmet dinner.

Paul and Sharon Carelli, Pat and Bob Campbell, Phil Ralston, Kitty Boeddeker, Gladys and Steve Comer, R.H. Johnson, Helen Foley and Drs. Bill Evans, John Dudek and John and Sarah Smith were among those supporting the fund-raiser.

In the course of the evening many gravitated to groups of friends, including Bob Spinelli, Betsy and Hal Weller and auctioneer Christian Kolberg, seen enjoying the stories told by gaming luminary Robert Maheu.

Large turnout

The response to the Friday fashion event featuring Marie Gray and the 2004 Spring line of St. John fashions at Bellagio was tremendous.

More than 400 attended the fund-raiser benefiting the Sunrise Children's Foundation, presented by Mari Landers, general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Rep. Shelley Berkley, honorary chairperson.

While informally meeting arriving guests before the fashion show, Marie Gray, chief designer and co-founder of St. John, was presented a sunburst pin by Dee Ladd, president-chief executive of the Sunrise Children's Foundation, a special piece created for the occasion by jeweler Michael E. Minden, a board member for the Foundation.

Arrivals, among them Mary Jo Ralenkotter with Cathy Cohen, Marsha Miller, Arlene Schlazer with Kathy Ochs, Sandra Franks, Jacque Matthews, Bonnie Bryan and Barbara Molasky, chose to purchase opportunity tickets, which came cleverly enclosed in "From Sunrise to Sunset," the foundation's cookbook.

Carolyn Sparks, a longtime supporter, beamed as she produced baby photos of her first grandson, Kenneth Jonathan Sparks, son of Robert and Tiffany Sparks, an early arrival who is progressing well at Summerlin Hospital.

Making note of fashion favorites from the very wearable, beautiful designs from the St. John collection were Carole Bellmyre, Ken Ladd, Maria Lucas, Fuilala Riley and Terri Maruca with Deni Conrad, Joanne Evans, Candy Krauseman, Abbey Geyer and Caroline Rohrer of Elegant Creations and Celebrations, who provided the elegant, white rose centerpieces.

Following the fashion luncheon guests were invited to a trunk show and further opportunity to consult with Gray at the St. John boutique inside Saks Fifth Avenue.

Special benefit

A fund-raiser to benefit John F. Miller Special Education School is slated for March 12 at the Italian American Club, 2333 E. Sahara Ave.

The roomy dance floor and lounge area will host the "In the Glenn Miller Mood" big band from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Admission is $19.95 per person, with proceeds assisting the students at Miller school, many of whom are severely retarded and often medically fragile. Get further details by calling 457-3866.