Easter Seals honors singer for charitable contributions

Easter Seals of Nevada honored singer Olivia Newton-John with its new Four Star Award for outstanding charitable contributions during its second annual women’s tea, titled “Tea Thyme, Women &Wine,” on Aug. 18th at the Four Seasons.

The tea shines light on women in the community who exemplify extraordinary and unwavering commitments to business, family and community.

For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals has helped people with disabilities and special needs to live better lives by offering a variety of services such as medical rehabilitation, employment, training and children’s services.

More than 225 guests donned their fanciest hat or fascinator (head or neck accessory) and accented their party dress with a string of pearls. They sipped Champagne while bidding on an array of silent auction items before entering the ballroom to take their seats at the beautiful floral decorated tea tables.

Melanie Bash, vice president of development for Easter Seals, introduced Neyda Becker of the organization’s board of directors and Easter Seals of Nevada CEO Brian Patchett.

The mistress of ceremonies was Steph Mackenzie of KXPT-FM, 97.1.

Newton-John, star of the Flamingo’s “Summer Nights,” was escorted to the stage to receive the crystal Four Star Award for her commitment to community service to nonprofit organizations throughout the world.

Newton-John has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and starred with John Travolta in “Grease” and with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu.”

After 10 years of fundraising, Newton-John opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, in 2012.

A portion of every ticket sold to her Flamingo concert benefits the Wellness Centre.

The 2014 Women’s Tea also honored three special women who are dedicated supporters of Easter Seals Nevada: Terri Peck, director of marketing and entertainment for KVVU-TV, Channel 5; Christie Garness, event specialist for the city of Las Vegas; and Tivoli Village General Manager Tonia Chafetz.

Music was provided by Gianna Patchett and Jamie Shakespear as the attendees enjoyed the high tea featuring an assortment of finger sandwiches, petit fours, scones and canapes to accompany fine wines donated by Total Wine.

Easter Seals supporter Steve Schorr conducted the live auction for 10 packages, including tickets to the Olivia Newton-John show, autographed items and CD. The “Pawn Stars” package included a tour of the shop and being an extra on the TV show. Heidi Cayn Friedman and National Inc. donated 16 gifts from TV’s “Chopped.”

The Women’s Luxury package included dinner at Echo and Rig, facial by Krista, all services at The Style Lounge and gift certificates for Dee Berkley Jewelry, Dillard’s and J. Glenn. A maltipoo puppy sold for $800. The Burberry Bespoke trench coat where the top bidder chooses all of the coat’s embellishments sold for $1,400.

A seven-day stay at a resort of choice by the bidder, including lunch at a trendy San Diego restaurant hosted by Schorr, went for the bid of $3,600.

Money raised at the event will benefit Easter Seals Nevada’s 8,000 people with disabilities.

Among the guests were Vickie Soares, Pam Lang, Laurie Hartig, Mel Garraway, Kim Anato, Fran Goldberg, Dawn Gibbons, Bernadette Anthony, Fran Fine, Diane Berta, Jessie Moll, Dorit Schwartz, Laura Herlovich, Denise Olsen, Tonya Dillard, Stephanie Carpenter, Debra Cohen, Loren Lahar, Hillary Houston, Tammy Gatski, Beth Schwartz, Blue Ash, Debbie Donaldson, Kay Kolbo, Maurizio De Carolis, Tammy Grabel, Ruth Lauber, Nicole Mehlhaff, Julie Williams, Darlene Krenitz, Louisa Voisine, Stacey Patchett, Andeen Rose-Clark, Michelle Wilmoth and Amel Youssef.