Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Junior League is major-league endeavor

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004 | 8:20 a.m.

The Junior League of Las Vegas works to better the lives of many in Southern Nevada. The Birthday Closet, one of its more recent projects, is part of a community effort to bring a slice of joy and innocent pleasure to homeless children attending Martinez Elementary.

This school has the highest population of homeless children of any school in Clark County. Once a month, the Junior League hosts a birthday party for all of the children with birthdays during the month.

The youngsters experience (many for the first time) their own birthday party. League members and other volunteers sing "Happy Birthday," serve cake and refreshments and play party games. Each child is given the chance to choose a birthday gift for themselves. Nearly 70 children participate each month.

Stacy Reyes serves as chairwoman of The Birthday Closet project with committee members including Kari Philibeck, Suzette Wheeler and Judy Cribbens. Most recently, thanks to the work of Philibeck, Coca-Cola has become a sponsor of the monthly parties, providing refreshments and small treats for the children.

The Junior League most recently held a gift collection drive during its August general meeting, with toys provided by members including April Mastroluca, Community Council vice president, Britta Carlson, Laurie Bohn, Lisa Windom and Junior League President Erica Mayer.

Contributions of gifts for children ages 5 to 12, price range of $5-$10, are welcomed for this worthy project. Please contact the Junior League at 822-6536 or jrleagueoflv@aol.com.

Volunteer honored

Invitations have been mailed for Jewish Family Services Agency's 2004 Gala honoring board member Priscilla Schwartz-Hodes, community volunteer and philanthropist, on Oct. 10 at Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin.

Known for her contributions, Schwartz-Hodes is also a day-to-day volunteer at Nathan Adelson Hospice, using her professional nursing skills to assist in patient care and also teaching the volunteer orientation program.

In addition to her involvement with JFSA, Schwartz-Hodes is also a board member of Nathan Adelson Hospice, Temple Beth Sholom and L'Dor V Dor of Temple Beth Sholom. Schwartz-Hodes, who had the Walter L. Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care at Nathan Adelson Hospice built in memory of her late husband, has also been a generous benefactor to the Jewish National Fund and has endowed scholarships at George Washington University College of Law, University of Michigan School of Nursing, and Cooper Union University.

Funds generated by the 2004 Jewish Family Services' gala will support the work of JFSA of Las Vegas, a comprehensive social service agency providing counseling, educational and emergency services to anyone in need of help, including the 150 served weekly by the food pantry. For further information on the Oct. 10 event, please call 732-0304.

Life's work

Claudine Williams of Harrah's will be recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Education Achievement Award and share the spotlight with a spirited tribute to Siegfried and Roy on Sept. 18 at the Clark County Public Education Foundation Dinner.

Co-chaired by Sig Rogich and Judi Steele, the awards evening at the Four Seasons has a stellar dinner committee, including Steve and Elaine Wynn, Sharon and Mike Ensign, Bernie and Candace Yuman, Jerry and Lois Tarkanian and Bridgette and Dave Kirvin.

An annual event, the fund-raiser provides enrichment materials for public school students, new books for school libraries, classroom grants and professional training for teachers and scholarship opportunities. For tickets and further details, call 799-1042.

Food needed

Network of Executive Women in Hospitality, Las Vegas chapter, is partnering with Albertson's Inc. to collect much-needed food for the Salvation Army, responding to a plea to help replenish the food pantry.

Kicking off this week and running through Sept. 10, the "It's in the Bag" food drive will involve all of the Albertsons stores across Southern Nevada. Supporters can assist the program at any checkout stand inside the stores.

Laura Frankenberg, Las Vegas chapter vice president and national delegate of NEWH, is spearheading this community service project. And while NEWH's primary mission is to raise funds for scholarships in the hospitality industry, the organization has also chosen to assist the Salvation Army with the needs at the food pantry. To learn more about NEWH, visit its Web site at www.newh.org.