Auction raises record amount for Juvenile Diabetes group

The Nevada chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation honored Julie Murray during its annual Hope Gala on May 1 in Mandalay Bay’s Islander Ballroom. The sold-out event attracted more than 570 guests.

During the reception, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served while guests participated in the extensive silent auction featuring such items as art and wine, fashions and jewelry, travel and sports memorabilia. Tickets could be purchased to win a 2015 Mustang V6 coupe offered by Gaudin Ford.

Seen socializing were Nancy and Richard Boulware, Mikey and James Bilbray, Bill Hornbuckle, Marcia and David Washington, Lynn and Arne Rosencrantz, Brian Burton, Ann Lynch, Shannon and Danny Axelrod, Melody and Gene Greenberg, Joanne Blystone, Linda Harris, Mark Fine, Bridget and Steve Phillips, and the charity’s founder, Flora Mason.

Once guests were seated for dinner, master of ceremonies Chet Buchanan introduced Pia Exber-Morris, the foundation’s Nevada chapter president, and Colleen Saca, foundation Nevada chapter executive director. Their welcoming remarks centered on finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

A video on the honoree, Julie Murray, preceded her introduction by her sons, Riley and Joe. Julie Murray was honored not only for her commitment to the foundation and its mission to find a cure, but also for her expertise in raising funds for Three Square, Andre Agassi’s charter school and I Have a Dream Foundation of Southern Nevada. Murray leads the Moonridge Group, which works to find ways to help individuals, foundations and corporations reach their philanthropic goals.

The evening continued with a live auction conducted by Randy Parnell of the Stokes Auction Group. A deluxe trip to Napa, Calif., for three couples at the Fleury Estate Winery sold for a high bid of $25,000.

Items up for bid also included a five-course dinner party for 10 by chef Luciano Pellegrini that sold for $25,000. A Best of Washington, D.C., package including tickets for Bryce Harper and the Nationals, the Capitol, and golf at the Army Navy Country Club went for $6,500.

A two-bedroom suite at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas, sold for $10,000; a Labradoodle puppy found a new home for $14,000; the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks tickets brought in the high bid of $35,000; an amethyst and sapphire pendant went for $10,000; an “Extreme Art” painting of Frank Sinatra by artist Jean Francois sold for $14,500; and a bid of $10,500 purchased attendance at a Dale Chihuly exhibition in Seattle.

Also, two for lunch with Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Clint Holmes, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, Myron Martin, Irwin Molasky, Julie Murray, Don Snyder, and Scott and Arnie Yancey went for $14,000. A trip to the Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rico cost $16,000; and the instant Wine Cellar by donors Matt and Kami Smith, Jeff and Rhonda Wyatt, and Marche Bacchus French Bistro and Wine Shop sold for $15,000.

The auctioneer continued with “Raise Your Bidding Card” for various funding levels. A phone rang onstage, and it was Sheldon Adelson starting the bidding with a $100,000 donation to the foundation.

The event raised a record $955,000.

Dancing and entertainment concluded the evening for Chuck Jackson and Julie Murray, Karmi and Matt Smith, Diane Boyle and Richard Worthington, Colleen and Mike Saca, Joshua Leavitt, Pia Exber-Morris and Alan Morris, Cathy Nordling, Cathy and Chris Haase and Judy Reich.