Junior League supports Bear Project

Sustaining members of the Junior League of Las Vegas had their annual holiday coffee and charitable program for children Dec. 8 at the Henderson Anthem home of Dee and Philip Slakey.

Welcoming members and their guests were Junior League President Britta Carlson, sustainers' President Melinda Johnson, coffee chairwomen Donna Levy and Sheryl Slakey, and hostess Dee Slakey.

Admittance for the holiday coffee was adoption of a bear or a contribution of toys or cash.

Every year the sustainers host this event to thank League members for their support of fulfilling a child's wish list, known as the Bear Project.

For the past 24 years, the Junior League has provided Christmas for at-risk children in the community. The Bear Committee, chaired this year by Judy Beal and Lore Gochnour, traveled to selected schools to measure each child for pants, shirts, pajamas, socks, underwear, shoes and jackets, and to get requests for two toys and a book.

The committee delivers the filled Santa bags to the school to be given to the parents before the Christmas break begins.

This year the Bear Committee took care of 351 children and 128 families received food gift cards.

Members of the Bear Committee putting in months of volunteer work were Michele Benda, Mary Blake, Bonnie Bryan, Natalie Colquitt, Sherry Colquitt, Margaret Congdon, Deni Conrad, Nancy Corrigan, Michelle Eckmann, Jane Fielden, Nancy Gasho-Fromm, Linda Givens, Jan Greene, Mitzie Hiegel McAlister, Karen Johnson, Wendy Kalb, Susan Kubat, LuAnn Kutch, Debbie Levy, Robbie McClain, Sally McKinney, Dedee Nave, Jan Nitz, Gale Northcross, Denise Olsen, Betsy Rhodes, Sally Rycroff, Sharon Schmitt, Nancy Shepherd, Lynn Sommer, Carole Terry, Jan Titus, Lynda Wohletz, Lois Zellers, Karleen McCurry and Kathy Mahon.

Presiding at the coffee and tea table were past league presidents Sharon Beatty, Thalia Dondero, Shari Compton, Louise Helton, Sherry Layne, Laura Schmidt and Adele Koot, and serving the punch were Lynda Wohletz and Kelli Guild.

Northwest Career & Technical Academy served delicious cookies, appetizers, and sweets. The beautiful weather allowed the cooking of made-to-order pasta and crepes on the patio's poolside.

Seen socializing for a good cause were Linda Leavitt, Beverly Daly-Dix, Lou Schwager, Kara Huffey, Dina Titus, Caty Crockett, Kelly Fleming, Nancy Leslie, Tina Hamilton, Patti Baldwin, Cathy Bittinger, Candi Tobin, Sharon Beatty, Cosette Reid, Nancy Bentley, Mary Gwen Dombrowski and Carol Maxey.