Event raised funds to combat childhood brain tumors

A fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to help in its efforts to find the cause of and a cure for childhood brain tumors took place July 19 at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak &Snow Crab in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Childhood brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children, according to the foundation. Seventy-five percent of kids diagnosed with a brain tumor are younger than 15.

Charli and Dave Carter of Carter Powersports chair the annual dinner that raises thousands of dollars for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

The sold-out affair began with cocktails and canapes for guests including District Judges Nancy Allf and Joanna Kishner; County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani and her husband, Gary Gray; Shelley Berkley, CEO and senior provost of the Touro College and University System in Nevada and California, and her husband, Larry Lehrner.

Jerry Grieber, Bonnie Rosselli, Barbara and Tom Bailey, Dee and George Mehocic, Annette and Larry Carter, Steve Carsons, Deborah and Mark Fagan, and Helen and Jim Sax participated in the silent auction that offered paintings by Judy Moreno, Utah Shakespeare Festival tickets, jewelry, selected wines, spa treatments and more.

The dinner committee members were John and Sheila Arnos, Charli and Dave Carter, Sean and Kelly Connery, Elizabeth Foyt, Rebecca Howell, Dee Mehocic, Judy Owen, Peggy Sanders and John Wanderer.

Overseeing the dinner menu were Dave Quillen, Nicolle Genet and the staff at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak &Stone Crab.

Masters of ceremonies were Charli Carter and John Arnos of Canon cameras. There were treasure chest drawings and a live auction was conducted by KJ Howe.

Among the 12 items up for bid was the painting by the event’s featured artist Niki Sands. Other items included rounds of golf at TPC Summerlin, glass art by Leslie Rankin, and the fall preview of the Carlisle Collection with a gift card.

Winning with a bid of $2,500 for tickets to Canon’s January gala at Bellagio, presented by John Arnos, was supporter Sean Connery.

More guests enjoying the event were Riley Council, George Dare, Tami Belt, Marcia and Tola Chin, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Ann Parenti, Emerlinda and Mike Castillejo, Patty Peters, Michelle Echmann, Cristine Bullard, Deborah Campbell, Lorri Jackson, Kerry Sallee and Dorothy Roth.

In addition to the dinner, the Carters sponsor the annual “Ride for Kids,” a motorcycle event celebrating its 10th year Sept. 28. The event starts at the Las Vegas Speedway and ends at Town Square Park where all enjoy lunch and a celebration of life.