Gala raises money for Boys Town Nevada

Boys Town Nevada had its 10th annual gala, “Journey of Hope,” at The Venetian in late May, honoring Norm and Sharon Jenkins.

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.

The sold-out event began with a cocktail reception and silent auction that included guests Nancy Houssels, Vanessa and Josh Houssels, Winnie and Bob Schulman, Sylvia and Kevin Buckley, Dan Tuntland, Sue and Barry Becker, Pam and Joe Brown, Susan Fine and Max Spika, Susan Graves, Kelda and Carroll Johnston, Nicole and Parry Rogers, Lynn Weisner, John O’Reilly, Ivette Maningo, Tony Sgro, Maggie and Brian Plaster and the gala’s co-chairmen, Wendy and Richard Plaster and Jamie and Corey Jenkins.

Dave Courvoisier, KLAS-TV, Channel 8 news anchor, served as master of ceremonies.

Howard Olshansky, Boys Town Nevada executive director, spoke of raising more than $3 million through the years for the care their youths receive.

The evening’s speaker was Davis Caron, an alumnus of Boys Town, where he proved himself to be quite a leader and was affectionately known as “The President.” He has since graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and is a freshman at Louisiana Tech University.

Entertainment was provided by Paul Shortino, lead singer with “Raiding the Rock Vault” at The Venetian, and Gary Anthony, a Frank Sinatra impersonator, and the Bella Electric Strings.

Christian Kolberg conducted the “Raise Your Paddle” and the live auction for special packages. The first item up for bid was eight seats for “Kinky Boots” at The Smith Center and dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s that sold for $4,000. Next was a Del Mar, Calif., beach vacation in an ocean-view condo for one week that went for $4,500. Another $4,500 bid bought a private dinner prepared by chef Matt Piekarski on the rooftop of Paris Las Vegas for 10 guests. A Brian Head, Utah, condo that sleeps 20 people sold twice for $4,000 each for weeklong getaways.

A signed guitar from Alice Cooper and a recording session at “Rock and Roll Fantasy” went for $1,500. A six-night Laguna Beach, Calif., vacation including dinner at the Lumberyard Restaurant and brunch at the Beach Club went for $4,000. Tickets for two on Southwest Airlines to Los Angeles for the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” TV show and a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel sold for $7,000. A trip for two to the wine country and the Francis Ford Coppola Winery and hotel in Healdsburg, Calif., for two nights, including airline tickets, went for $3,000. The last package was a condo for a week in Solana Beach, Calif., for $3,000.

A $100 opportunity ticket for the event’s raffle was for a chance to win a 2014 Audi A6 Quattro, a 2014 Chevy Camaro, a 10-day trip for two to Europe, a one-week stay at a beachfront condo, and $1,000 cash. There were five lucky winners.

Before the lights dimmed for dancing to the Skye Dee Miles Band, Sharon and Norm Jenkins and son, Corey Jenkins, presented a $50,000 check in the name of Norm’s late daughter, Jennifer, to Boys Town Nevada. Norm Jenkins played a leading role in bringing Boys Town to Las Vegas. Norm and Dave Courvoisier were members of the founding board of directors.

More guests attending were Irais and Robert Kolesar, Debbie and Don Adams, Carmen Shortino, Patsy and Robert Brinton, Larry Finuf and Mia Rose, Nancy and Bob Joslin, Carolyn Sparks, Ann Evans, Marlene and Max Kirsh, Stephanie Wilson, Clancy White, and Mallory and John Green.