Easter Seals Nevada honors ‘Fascinating Women’

Easter Seals Nevada recently had its first fundraising tea at the Four Seasons to honor community supporters and “Five Fascinating Women.”

Easter Seals advocates for and works with infants, children and adults who have serious disabilities and other challenges. The state chapter of the nonprofit helps 8,000 Nevadans with disabilities every year.

The honorees were Neyda Becker, past chairman of the Easter Seals Board of Nevada: Dawn Gibbons, senior vice president of communications and government relations for KSNV-TV, Channel 3; Darlene Krenitz, controller for SHFL entertainment; Jerrie Merritt, senior vice president of community development for Bank of Nevada; and Kate Whiteley, vice president of public relations for Kirvin Doak Communications.

The event kicked off at 4 p.m. when guests were invited to wear their favorite fascinators (head or neck accessory) to participate in a unique silent auction before being seated in the ballroom for the high tea.

Among the guests were Angie Becker, Wendy Welch, Kimberly Trueba, Debbie Poire, Marilyn LaRocque, Arleen Turok, Eva Kallick, Ruth Furman, Judy Stone, Dorit Schwartz, Terri Maruca, Anne Paladie, Kirstin McLarty, Gerri Salton and Joann Theriault.

The ladies then enjoyed an assortment of fine teas while being served the traditional petit cucumber sandwiches, scones with jams or lemon curd, fruit tarts and divine pastries.

The mistress of ceremonies was Steph Mackenzie of KXPT-FM, 97.1, who was joined onstage by Pam Lang, vice president of development for Easter Seals, and Brian Patchett, CEO of Easter Seals of Nevada. Entertainer Pia Zadora, a member of the Easter Seals family, was invited to assist in awarding the handcrafted tea necklace of good will to the five honorees.

Nordstrom presented a fall fashion show narrated by Tessa Tierney.

Other guests in attendance were Annee Nounna, Erin Fox, Steve Schorr, Melanie Bash, Beth Schwartz, Robyn Williams, Twila VanLeer, Melinda Crandall, Crissy Manwaring, Crystal Cochran, Corie Hawks, Jim Hooban, Craig Hume, Ellice Turner, Nicole Wolf, Kala Peterson, Cara Abrahams, Wendy Zanaripa, Stacey Patchett, Michael Woodfield, Stephanie Chavez, Camille Yameen and Carmen Gilbert representing U.S. Sen. Harry Reid.

Music was provided by Gianna Patchett and Jamie Shakespear, cellists from the Philharmonic Las Vegas Youth Orchestra.

Funds raised from the tea will go toward Easter Seals Nevada’s “Make the First Five Count,” a program that works to identify early development delays in children younger than 5 and strives to start vital therapies during these critical early years.