More than 300 attend Journey of Hope Gala

Richard Bryan received the 2011 Hope Award from Boys Town at its seventh annual Journey of Hope Gala May 19 at The Venetian.

More than 300 guests attended the spring event that honored the former Nevada governor and U.S. senator.

Boys Town Nevada opened its doors at 821 N. Mojave Road in 1991, but its history dates back more than 90 years when Father Edward Flanagan founded the program in Omaha, Neb. Boys Town has helped at-risk kids and troubled families through its life-changing programs.

Children of all ages receive care and treatment from married couples called Family-Teachers in three homes for boys and two homes for girls at the agency's 22-acre Las Vegas campus.

Master of ceremonies at the gala was KLAS-TV, Channel 8 news anchor Dave Courvoisier. He introduced a video by Gov. Brian Sandoval and a video showing how Boys Town Nevada has touched the lives of 9,000 people in the state.

Carolyn Goodman, last year's Journey of Hope recipient, introduced Richard Bryan, thanking him for his generosity and compassion to the community.

Boys Town Board of Governors Chairman Kevin Buckley introduced the first honored graduate of Boys Town, Tami Wells, who was chosen Alumnus of the Year.

Among the guests were William Maupin, Nancy and Kell Houssels, Colette Saltz, Vanessa Chamberlain Houssels and Josh Houssels, Sandra and Emmett Munley, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Ryan Wolfington, Emilia Cargill and John Naylor, Andy Abboud, Bonnie Bryan, Frederick Krauss, and Winnie and Bob Schulman.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction that offered dinner with Dave and Vicki Courvoisier and a tour of Channel 8 that sold twice for $4,000; a 100-ounce bar of silver sold for $4,000; a Laguna Beach, Calif., vacation went for $4,250; a North American portfolio by George Catlin (1796-1872), a noted painter and author who focused on Native Americans, went for $1,750; and a Brian Head, Utah, vacation sold for $2,750.

A "Raise Your Paddle" event followed that brought in considerable cash for Boys Town Nevada.

Other guests in attendance were Congressman Joe Heck and Lisa Heck, Debbie and John Hickman, Barbara Buckley, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Scott Manke, Phyllis Schwartz, Pam and Joe Brown, Carolyn Sparks, Kelly James, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Blake Feeney, Matt Miltenberger, Ileana Drobkin and Tom Ross.

Entertainer Steve Rossi and impersonator Rich Little entertained the guests.