Las Vegas Dozen honored for charity work

Twelve men from various backgrounds and professions who exemplify great personal and professional commitment to the community were honored April 8 during Saks Fifth Avenue’s 11th annual fundraiser, Vegas Dozen 2014: The Men We Love and Why We Love Them.

This year’s event benefited Keep Memory Alive, and the evening’s proceeds will help support the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Brain Center.

Guests entered Saks Fifth Avenue and were escorted out to the Fashion Show mall’s Great Hall for the awards ceremony. Seating was along the side of the long runway traditionally used for fashion shows. Wine and canapes were served.

Mari Landers, vice president and general manager of the local Saks Fifth Avenue, introduced Stratosphere headliner Frankie Moreno and his band, who entertained with a special performance. Mercedes Martinez of KMXB-FM, 94.1’s “Mark and Mercedes in the Morning” radio show was the mistress of ceremonies.

Each honoree walked the runway, modeling fashions provided as a gift from Saks Fifth Avenue. The men spoke about their charity work and occupation.

Leading off the 2014 Vegas Dozen inductees were Criss Angel, magician and star of Criss Angel “Believe” at Luxor; Dr. Charles Bernick, associate medical director at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health; Dave Courvoisier, news anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8; Jeff Gale, chairman and director of photography at Niche Media; and Ken Henderson, a Las Vegas native and CEO of BEST Agency who chairs the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala.

Also honored were Gregory T.H. Lee, chairman and CEO of Eureka Casinos, whose family is a major benefactor to UNLV; Jerry Misko, artist; Rick Moonen, chef/owner of rm seafood and Rx Boiler Room in The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, who is active in Three Square food bank; Mike Snedegar of the Tao Group, who started his career as a busboy at Mandalay Bay’s Foundation Room in 2001; David Straus, attorney and native Las Vegan; and Stevenson Sylvester, NFL linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a graduate of Las Vegas’ Valley High School.

Sam Nazarian, CEO of SLS Las Vegas, was unable to attend.

Camille Ruvo spoke about Keep Memory Alive’s progress against Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, multiple system atrophy, multiple sclerosis and other disorders that affect memory.

After the award presentation, festivities continued inside Saks Fifth Avenue, where guests including Camille and Larry Ruvo, Jeri and Rick Crawford, Jewel Brooks, Jack Libby, Deni Conrad, Robin and Danny Greenspun, Clint Holmes, Barbara Barron, Diane Zapac, Victoria Courvoisier, former Gov. Bob Miller, Secretary of State Ross Miller, Heidi Sarno Straus and Steve Schorr socialized while enjoying appetizers prepared by a former Las Vegas Dozen honoree, Master Chef Gustav Mauler.

Wine was from Southern Wine &Spirits and music by DJ Axis.

Other guests in attendance included Cristine Lefkowitz-Jensen, Michael Schulman, Fran Fine, Michelle Kaplan, Shelley Swift, Karina Lopez, Chris Connell, Jenn Kratochwill, Johanna Pieters, Shanila Choudhury, Melissa Warren, Dawn Russi, Phil Miles, Sandra McAlman, Angela Levi, George Pecoraro, Laura Fritz, Edward Call, Gina Hines, Annie Sliman and Ann Evans.