Junior League honors community leaders
The Junior League of Las Vegas honors outstanding members of our community each year during its Paint the Town Red Gala. For the past 12 years, Junior League members have selected a Sustaining Junior League member for its Lifetime Achievement Award and a community member for its Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award.
The 2015 Paint the Town Red Gala on March 21 at Red Rock Resort honored Sustainer Jeanne Greenawalt with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Ken and Dee Ladd as the recipients of the Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award.
More than 300 guests enjoyed the party that included an extensive silent auction for 98 items along with Champagne and butler-passed hors d’oeuvres.
Among the guests were Janice Allen, Betsy Rhodes, Donna Andress, Nancy Gasho-Fromm and Robert Fromm, Merla Lysgaard, Linda Givens, Brian Burton, Madeleine Andress, Patsy Brinton, Sharon Schmitt, Judy Beal, Sally Rycroft, Melinda McGeorge-Johnson, Sally McKinney, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Kathleen and William Mahon, Francine and Terry Graves, Charli and Dave Carter, June Clark, and Eleonore and Edward Doumani.
The event’s masters of ceremonies were Jim Snyder and Jessica Moore, news anchors at KSNV-TV, Channel 3. They introduced Junior League President Ann Richard-Farinha, who spoke about the projects and programs Junior League is responsible for in our community. She thanked the gala committee led by co-chairwomen Michelle Eckmann and Courtney Holcombe.
I had the pleasure of introducing Jeanne Greenawalt. She was a founding member of Junior Mesquite Club in 1962 and in recent years was responsible for the restoration of the Mesquite Club’s building.
In 1969, Greenawalt successfully lobbied the Legislature in Carson City and received a quarter of a million dollars to assist in building the cottages for Child Haven. She has hosted many fundraisers in her home, served as Sustainer president of Junior League and is a member of many community boards and charities. Through the years she has worked tirelessly to better the lives of neglected children, seniors and animals.
Since moving to Las Vegas from Utah in 1983, the Ladds have been philanthropic leaders.
Kevin Orrock introduced Ken Ladd. Ken has served as chairman of the Nevada Development Authority and Desert Research Institute. Since retiring from U.S. Bank as executive vice president, Ken has volunteered with the Desert Research Institute as special assistant to the president, vice chairman of the Nevada Center of Excellence, and a member of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.
Angela Triche introduced Dee Ladd. After many years of charity volunteering, in 1993 Dee founded the Sunrise Children’s Foundation, focusing on the needs of underserved children. After serving as chairwoman of the foundation for 20 years, she recently retired. Dee has been recognized with many awards for her service to the community. She currently serves on the Nevada Ballet Theatre board.
More guests in attendance were Michele and Donald Shafe, Joanna Kishner, Tina and Craig Hamilton, David Rangel, Debbie Primack, Joel Davidson, Jewel Brooks, Terry and John Cahlan, Carolyn Sparks, Bruce Spotleson, Gayle Anderson, Pami Lange, Elyse and Van Voris, Paula and Robert Mendenhall, Mari and Thom Landers, Sujita and Kumud Acharya, Becky and Brett Spriggs, Nancy Heberlee and Bill Scherer, and Betty, Katie and Bradley Mayer.
Also, Dedee Nave, Lori Smith, Mary Hausch and Bob Coffin, Caroll Mueller, Dana Wiesner, Mary Ann Rivera, Susan Houston, Persia Golden, Sonnya and Eric DeBonis, Helen Edell, Lynn Buchanan, Carole and Norman Terry, Tina and Mike Cahlan, Jodie and Brad Cahlan, Ashlyn and Hanah Cahlan, Kaye Gray, Jean and Bill Curren, Gail Northcross, Liz and Rory Vohwinkel, LuAnn Kutch, Sandy and Rex Windom, Lisa McAnallen and Jenn Kratochwill.
