Junior League honors two for community service

Each year at its Paint the Town Red Gala, the Junior League of Las Vegas recognizes two outstanding community members. This year’s 11th annual gala took place March 8 at Red Rock Resort and honored Nancy Gasho-Fromm and Jim Rogers.

This event is Junior League’s most important fundraiser in support of its mission to promote volunteerism with trained knowledgeable members.

The Las Vegas Junior League has contributed more than a million hours of volunteer service as well as given more than $1.3 million back to our community.

Gasho-Fromm was the recipient of the Lifetime Community Achievement Award. She was introduced by Sharon Beatty. Gasho-Fromm was an educator in the Clark County schools for 32 years. During her Junior League presidency, the Pediatric Society asked the league to get involved in building a Ronald McDonald house for Las Vegas. In 1986, Gasho-Fromm became chairwoman and then president of the coalition for the Ronald McDonald house.

Lynda Wohletz offered the Champagne toast in Gasho-Fromm’s honor.

The Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award, presented to Rogers, was established to recognize Southern Nevadans who have made significant, enduring contributions to humanity in keeping with the ideals and ethics of the Junior League.

Rogers was introduced by his son Perry. Jim Rogers is the founder and owner of Intermountain West Communications Co., which owns and operates 11 NBC and Fox affiliate television stations in five Western states. He has served as president of many banks and as chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education for five years.

Rogers has given or pledged more than $275 million to various colleges and universities.

The gala had a Vintage Vegas theme with a Frank Sinatra impersonator greeting guests upon their arrival and music from the 1950s playing throughout the reception.

Among the guests were former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, former state Sen. Randolph Townsend and Robyne Townsend, former U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley and Larry Lehrner, and former UNLV President Carol Harter and Mike Harter.

Guests including Donna and Gail Andress, Madeleine and Don Andress, Jewel Brooks, Kellie and Marv Rubin, Kim and Jerry Sennes, Andra and Paul Maffey, Jane Boudreau, Jeanne Greenawalt, Mari and Thom Landers, Judy Beal, Donna and Mike Levy, Lynn and David Sommer, Caty Crockett, Shirley and Lou Shupe, Dee and Ken Ladd, Patricia and Rick Wright, Dedee Nave, Sally and Gordon Rycroff, Betsy Rhodes, Francine and Terry Graves, Lou and Fred Schwager, and Carole and Norman Terry enjoyed a dinner of tomato and mozzarella salad and entree of filet mignon with Gorgonzola-stuffed portabella mushroom cap, asparagus and tomato basil custard potatoes, with tiramisu for dessert.

Masters of ceremonies were Jim Snyder and Jessica Moore, KSNV-TV, Channel 3, news anchors.

Michelle Eckmann, president of Junior League of Las Vegas, spoke of the group’s history.

Other guests attending were Beverly Rogers, Suzanne Rogers and Brian Plant, Kimberly Rogers, Nicole Rogers, Cheryl and Bert Purdue, Daniel Hamilton, Janice Allen, Linda Givens, Brian Burton, Michelle Sanders, Kathy and Bill Mahon, Mary Hausch and Bob Coffin, Lore and Wade Gochnour, Sonnya and Eric DeBonis, Gladys and Steve Comer, Carolyn Sparks, Shari Compton, Sharon Schmitt, and Dede, Sheryl and Phil Slakey. Co-chairwomen of the event were Britta Carlson-Sessums and Courtney Holcombe.