Nevada Children’s Center hosts third annual gala

Nevada Children’s Center recently held its third annual “Great Gatsby Goes Hollywood” fundraiser at Westgate Las Vegas.

Operating in Las Vegas since 1991, the Nevada Children’s Center’s mission is to empower young victims of abuse, neglect and mental afflictions by providing therapeutic day treatment, behavior modification and in-home parenting resources in partnership with foster care and child protection advocates and agencies.

The evening began with a cocktail and silent auction reception as the black-tie guests, many dressed in period attire, gathered around the beautiful blue 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud for a photo op. The car was on loan from Ryan Hamilton of Celebrity Cars at the Palazzo.

The reception’s musical entertainment was provided by UNLV student jazz pianist Halsey Harkins.

The reception was hosted by Lovee and Bob Arum.

Gala co-chairs were Cindy Doumani and Annee Nounna.

Dee and Ken Ladd were responsible for the enticing silent auction with assistance from David Rangle.

The evening’s masters of ceremonies were television personality Nathan Tannenbaum and Gerard Ramalho, KSNV-TV, Channel 3 newscaster, who presented a tribute to the late Jim Rogers. Beverly and Jim Rogers have been supportive of the Great Gatsby galas.

Seen among the partygoers were Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Judy Middleton, Louisa Voisine, Lilia Flores and Garry Hart, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Jerilyn Lubitz, Jacque and David Matthews, Mikey and Jim Bilbray, Randy Soard, Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Debra Hood-Smith and Jack Smith, Juliana McRae, Theresa and Michael Minden, and Persia Golden.

Dining tables were covered in yellow silk with embroidered white pearl flowers, centerpieces were red roses.

Wendy Plaster and Nancy Houssels were the judges for best costume. Ladies best costume winners were Jackie Wolf and Debra Hood-Smith and winning for the men was Randy Donald.

Dinner entertainment was by Peter Pavone impersonating singers Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Paul Anka.

The Las Vegas Rotary Club presented a check for $5,000, which auctioneer Christian Kolberg was able to raise the match of another $5,000. Accepting the check were three women representing the Nevada Children’s Center: Garnette McCracken, Christina Parise and Kristi Macaluso.

The live auction included a Silverton Cruise package, Michael Minden diamond hoop earrings, a painting from the Knuttel Gallery, a UFC package, four box seats at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and dinner by Wolfgang Puck, a Harley-Davidson package, and a two-night stay at the Aria with show tickets.

More guests attending were Shelley Berkley, Mickey Albrecht, Ron Mazaraski, Jackie DeLanoy and Brian Connant, Myrle Taylor, Debbie DeLanoy and Richard Ditton, Tom Kinsora, Jackson Lewis, Ken Ratigan, Debra and David Loeb, Sally and Randy Donald, Jane and Tom Krob, Nicole Duffel, Russel Swain, Leslie Mujica, and Linda and Allen Strunk.

Many thanks went to Carolyn Sparks and Gayle Anderson for coordinating the event.

Paragon Gaming was the main sponsor.

Paul Olesuk conducted the UNLV Dance Band as dancing concluded the evening.