Celebrities help raise money for St. Rose pediatric centers

Larry Cruikshank / Special to the Home News

Marie Osmond, center, sings to and about the love of children during the Children’s Miracle Mardi Gras Ball in the Bellagio Ballroom.

By Becky Bosshart

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 | 7:36 p.m.

Children's Miracle Mardi Gras Ball

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Despite economic conditions that have cut budgets at most nonprofit agencies, the 52nd Children's Miracle Mardi Gras Ball had a night to remember for its attendance and the amount of money raised.

Charles Guida, president of St. Rose Dominician Health Foundation, said the ball had 800 guests, a record number, and raised more than $600,000 for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals' pediatric centers.

"It was a tremendous success," he said. "We had 300 more people attend (this year) and we raised $200,000 more."

Guida attributed this success to the efforts of the event's organizing committee, led by Jay Barrett, of Marnell Corrao Associates, Inc., and Lexy Capp, owner of Nannies & Housekeepers USA.

Southern Nevada's longest running fundraising ball featured special guest honorees Donny and Marie Osmond Saturday at the Bellagio.

"The hospital honored them for being one of the founding families of the Children's Miracle Network."

The entertaining duo were joined by performers Domenick Allen, Louie Anderson, Deborah Gibson, David Osmond, Osmonds 2nd Generation, Leigh Zimmerman, Tommy Thayer of Kiss, Doc McGee, RATT and Alan Osmond.

The Miracle "blitz" donation collected about $41,000. Sponsorships and the auction raised about $75,000. Auction items included a Southwest Air trip to a Kiss concert and back stage passes.

Proceeds from the ball benefit the Pediatric Centers at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, southern Nevada's only not-for-profit, religiously-affiliated hospital system and only local affiliate of Children's Miracle Network.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or becky.bosshart@hbcpub.com.