Morrisseys honored by Opportunity Village

Mike and Patty Morrissey received Opportunity Village's highest honor, The Order of the Village, during the organization's annual Camelot gala on Nov. 5 at the Magical Forest.

More than 400 guests attended the black-tie event in support of the agency's efforts to make a better life for people with intellectual disabilities.

Mike Morrissey joined Opportunity Village's board of directors 26 years ago.

The Morrisseys have two daughters, Megan and Erin, and a son, Sean, who was born with Down syndrome. Sean was born after the Morrisseys had dedicated themselves to Opportunity Village, and they have continued to be steadfast supporters of the organization.

Sean has benefited from the agency's job discovery and art programs. He has become quite an artist and receives a paycheck for selling his artwork.

A special announcement during the gala described Sean's Park, which soon will be part of Opportunity Village's Engelstad campus. The park will be designed specifically for children and adults with disabilities to learn skills they need to lead more independent lives. Funding will come from Clark County, the Windsong Trust and individual donors. It will be the first and only park of its kind in the world, according to the agency.

Among the Camelot guests were Mary Alice and Scott Nielson, Susan Graves, Maryanne and Rob Dondero, Heidi and Larry Canarelli, Denise and Gustav Mauler, Barbara Mullholland and Stan Hunterton, Renee and Tony Marlon, Melinda and Bob Brown, Mary Kaye Cashman, and Jeanne and John Kilduff.

Dignitaries attending included Bishop Joseph A. Pepe of the Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas; former Gov. Bob List and Polly List; County Commissioner Steve Sisolak; Opportunity Village development director Linda Smith; and Opportunity Village executive director Ed Guthrie.

A silent auction with hors d'oeuvres by chef Carla Pellegrino from Bacio at the Tropicana and flutes of champagne from Southern Wine & Spirits were enjoyed by Cliff Miller, Joan and Jim Hammer, Tory Cooper, Jack and Carol Sheehan, Kim Maxson Rushton and Max Rushton, Ed Skonicki, Michael Shulman, Janice Allen, Sue and Curt Anderson, Mari and Thom Landers, Lori Rogich, Rosemary Vassiliadis, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Jeff Anderson, Sandy Ellis, Leslie Lewis, Stephanie and Marc Finkel, Dee and George Mehocic, and Tina and Bill Bird.

All of the evening's services, including wait staff from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas hotel management students under the direction of chef Jean Hertzman, was donated.

The dinner menu began with seared ahi tuna by chef David Ventimiglia and Resznay Skinner of the Las Vegas Hilton. The entree of roasted turbot and braised short ribs was from chef Zachary Hillberry of Caesars Palace, while dessert was The Venetian chef Olivier Dubreuil's creation of a hand-painted chocolate cube filled with spice caribe mousse and marinated berries.

Masters of ceremonies were Nate Tannenbaum and Monica Jackson. The event chairmen were Sig Rogich and Billy Vassiliadis. Entertainment was by Caesars Palace entertainer Matt Goss and his nine-piece band.