Boys Town gala honors news anchor Courvoisier

A crowd of 300 supporters gathered May 28 at The Venetian for Boys Town Nevada’s 11th annual Journey of Hope Gala, featuring an evening of cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions, music, dancing and other entertainment.

This year’s Hope Award winner was Dave Courvoisier, news anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

Boys Town Nevada opened its doors at 821 N. Mojave Road in 1991, but its history dates back more than 90 years ago when the Rev. Edward Flanagan founded the organization in Omaha, Neb.

Kendall Tenney, founder and CEO of 10e Media, emceed the event.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance by Boys Town youth, Taylor See sang the national anthem. The Rev. David Devereaux of Desert Spring United Methodist Church delivered the blessing.

Tommy Ward and his band entertained during dinner.

Enjoying the dinner of watercress and shaved endive salad, entrees of grilled New York steak au poivre and shrimp scampi with selected wines, and a dessert of chocolate caramel torte were Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Vanessa and Josh Houssels, Silvia and Kevin Buckley, Robin and Patty Joyce, Thomas Roberts, Ivette Maningo and Tony Sgro, Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, and former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., and Bonnie Bryan.

The dinner committee’s co-chairmen were Maggie and Brian Plaster, and Christina and Dave Saltman.

Devereaux made the presentation of the Hope Award to Courvoisier. He was honored for his commitment to helping foster children and adoptable children and he is a supporter of Father Flanagan’s original Boys Town. Courvoisier was present with honorary board member Norm Jenkins in 1990 for the ground breaking for Boys Town Nevada and he has remained a committed Boys Town board member since 1991. A video of Courvoisier’s accomplishments was shown.

Boys Town Nevada Executive Director Howard Olshansky spoke of the many services Boys Town offers to families. A video showed how Boys Town works with local schools to instill Boys Town values to strengthen the body, mind and spirit of today’s youth.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg helped to raise money with a successful Raise Your Paddle, and he conducted a live auction for 10 packages.

Items auctioned included a weeklong condominium stay at Hotel Laguna at Laguna Beach, Calif., including dinner at the Lumberyard Restaurant and boat rental, that sold for $3,750; a week in the Zulu Nyala Reserve with meals, room and viewing drives (minus airfare) went for $3,500; and a Wyndham Hawaii resort for seven nights at either Kona Hawaiian in Kailua or Bali Hai Villas in Princeville sold twice for $3,000 each.

Other auction items included a beach getaway at Solana Beach and a trackside table for four at Del Mar Race Track in California that sold for $2,250; and four tickets for NASCAR and four tickets for the National Finals Rodeo that sold for $800.

Other guests at the event were Victoria Courvoisier, Jamie and Corey Jenkins, Helen and Farrow Smith, Carolyn Sparks, Paula Francis, Sally Tenney, Brian Lamb, Brittany Winberg and Mark Escoto, Kelda and Carroll Johnston, Ron Cummins, Cheree Johnson, Jay Johnson, Gabriela Lain, Joy Pierce, Donna Pacella, and Emilia Cargill and John Naylor.

Dancing to the music of the Amanda Avila Band concluded the evening.