John Kell Houssels receives award from Boys Town Nevada

The fifth annual "Journey of Hope" gala benefiting Boys Town Nevada was May 8 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The evening honored John Kell Houssels, recipient of the 2009 HOPE Award. This award recognizes an individual who has done something extraordinary, selfless or heroic in assisting children or families by his or her actions, generosity, work, vision, volunteerism and commitment.

The event featured a Southern chic theme carried out through the food, drink and decor.

During the cocktail reception guests, including U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada, Christina Hixon, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Carolyn Sparks, Patsy and Robert Brinton, Eleanore and Edward Doumani, Maynard Slote, Barbara Buckley, Sylvia and Kevin Buckley, Winnie Schulman, Sandy Peltyn, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Mikey and James Bilbray, Kelda and Carroll Johnson and Colette Saltz, enjoyed crab cakes, oysters on the half shell and gumbo.

Guests, including Phyllis Schwartz, Carolyn Wheeler, Janet Ford, Saralee Kroll, Tsion Araya, Sandy White, Jillian and Ian Kester, Joy Bell, Cathy Crockett, Sandra and Emmett Munley, Beth Barbre, Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Siegfried Fischbacher, Annee Nounna, Catherine Lacy, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Michael Green, Diane and Paul Henry, Gayle Anderson, and Pat and Lamar Marchese, participated in the silent auction as the Laughlin Dixie Boys entertained.

Before the live auction, master of ceremonies Dave Courvoisier introduced speakers Mayor Oscar Goodman; the Rev. Steven E. Boes, Boys Town national executive director; and Tom Waite, Boys Town Nevada executive director. James (Josh) Houssels serves as chairman of the Boys Town Nevada board of directors.

Kell Houssels' youngest son, Eric, introduced the family video of Kell Houssels' early involvement in Las Vegas, which included his political life as an assistant district attorney, an assemblyman for Southern Nevada that began in 1950 and ownership positions at the El Cortez, Showboat, Tropicana and Union Plaza. He also has been involved in many community positions, including president of the Nevada Resort Assocation, campaign chair of the United Fund, Boy Scouts, Association of Christians and Jews and Las Vegas Founders Club.

Kell's wife of 37 years, Nancy, was joined by their sons, J. Kell (Jake) Houssels III, James (Josh) Houssels, Eric Houssels and daughter, Kelly.