Catholic Charities presents its Heart of Hope Awards

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada presented its fifth annual Heart of Hope awards to the Lied Foundation and Investment Counsel Co. during a recent luncheon at the Red Rock Resort.

Catholic Charities is one of the largest nonprofit social service providers in the state, offering a comprehensive range of services since 1941. The organization offers 20 programs designed to help people from infants to seniors, regardless of race, religion or creed. In order to carry out its mission, Catholic Charities employs more than 250 full- and part-time employees and utilizes volunteers whenever possible.

More than 480 people attended the luncheon, which opened with a reception featuring information tables about Catholic Charities.

Guests included Madeleine and Don Andress, Kevin Buckley, Judy and Jim Kropid, Fran and Frank Abbott, Melinda and Bob Brown, Carolyn Leontos, Ed Skonicki, Mary Lou Foley, Selma Bartlett, former Gov. Robert List, Dee and George Mehocic, and Mike Morrissey.

The Heart of Hope luncheon opened with entertainment by the Bishop Gorman High School Worship Choir. Bishop Joseph Pepe gave the invocation.

A three-course luncheon preceded the introduction of the board of trustees by masters of ceremonies KLAS-TV, Channel 8, news anchors Dave Courvoisier and Paula Francis. Trustees included Patricia Morrissey, president; Marilyn Spiegel, secretary; John Page, treasurer; and Bob Brown, Jim Fuchs, Marissa Hawkins, the Rev. Marc Howes, Terri Janison, Jim King, Tom McCormick, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and the Rev. Bob Stoeckig.

McCormick introduced honoree Randy Garcia, founder and CEO of Investment Counsel Co., and Josh Houssels introduced Christina Hixson, representing the Lied Foundation.

Garcia was thanked for all the extra time, effort and monetary advice his company has donated to Catholic Charities, especially during the economy’s downturn.

Hixson gave the Lied Foundation’s initial grant of $2.5 million in the early 1990s for the St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility and has continued her support with Catholic Charities.

Deacon Tom Roberts, Catholic Charities president and CEO, presented the large crystal Heart of Hope Awards to the two honorees.

More guests in attendance included former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., and Bonnie Bryan, Staci Garcia, Denise Mauler, Ed Guthrie, Scott Baranoff, John Hester, Lou and Fred Schwager, Vanessa Houssels, Paula Brown, Kelly Cohen, Marcus Valerio, Ryan Williams, Virginia Christenson, Denette Corrales, Heather Eckels, Trish McArthur, John Lefeber, Jess Whisnand, Maureen Schafer, Debbie Cochran, Julie Anderson and Colleen McDonald.