Sunrise Children’s Foundation draws guests to fundraiser

Sunrise Children's Foundation had their annual Color Us Friends "It's In The Bag" luncheon on Friday at the MGM Grand Conference Center.

The foundation's mission is helping children to have safe, healthy and educated lives. Some of their programs include a teen-pregnancy prevention program titled "Baby? Think It Over!"; a home-instruction course for parents of preschool youngsters called HIPPY; and a suspected child abuse and neglect prevention/intervention program called Scan.

During the reception, the 300 guests admired the 37 tables set with decorative themes depicting that table's package as presented by sponsors.

Guests, including Carol Harter, Terri Janison, Thalia Dondero, Margie Conway, Sandra Frank, Carolyn Sparks, Sondra Lynch and Ruth Lillis purchased opportunity tickets to be deposited in the table's bag for the prize they would like to win.

The mistress of ceremonies was the foundation's founder and CEO Dee Ladd.

Ladd announced the individual winners of the various bags that were filled with items for the kitchen, home, garden and featured designer accessories, including Lladro and Coach.

The drawing took place during lunch as guests enjoyed salad, baked chicken and a dessert of a chocolate bag filled with mousse and fresh berries. Luncheon centerpieces were glass handbags filled with spring florals by Caroline Rohrer of Elegant Creations.

A highlight of the program was the announcement made by Sunrise Children's Foundation President and COO Angela Triche that the foundation's new education building will be named for Dee and Ken Ladd.

Seen among the guests were Pat Nation, David Rangel, Virginia Stiles, Linda Smith, Toni Carpenter, Charlotte Hill, Ann Lynch, Paige Fleming, Rebecca Howell and Sue Smith.

Heroes with Heart: Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada presented the Heroes with Heart Luncheon on Feb. 26 at the Suncoast. TIP is a national voluntary nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring those who are emotionally traumatized in emergency situations receive the assistance they need.

There are more than 20 regional chapters, serving 250 cities nationwide. The Las Vegas chapter has been in operation for more than 12 years.

The luncheon began with a silent auction, with all money raised going directly toward supporting TIP. Dave Courvoisier, news anchor from KLAS-TV, Channel 8, emceed the luncheon that honored three emergency responders and two fire crews.

Recipients of the Heroes with Heart Awards were: coroner investigator Karen Murray; George Lewis of the Nevada Department of Transportation; park ranger Todd Roessner; Capt. Sean McKeon and his crew from the Henderson Fire Department; Henderson fire crew chief Bob Maroni, Capt. Scott Adler and Investigator Joel McGinnis.

Spring nuptials: Tricia Lydia Kean, daughter of Hilde Kean of Las Vegas and David Kean of Encino, Calif., became the bride of Eric "Rick" Fischer Hergott, son of Barbara Hergott of Las Vegas and the late Mervyn Hergott, at a sunset ceremony on the golf green at Henderson's Anthem Country Club on Saturday. Rabbi Sanford Akselrad and Cantor Phillip Goldstein, both of Ner Tamid Congregation in Henderson, conducted the ceremony. Music was by pianist Cynthia Harris.

The bride wore a Vera Wang wedding gown of silk charmose with a flowing veil attached with a diamond and pearl hair decoration, a gift from the groom. She carried a bouquet of pale pink and white rosebuds, gardenias with crystal droplets.

The bride was attended by her sister, Renee Hurwitz of Calabasas, Calif., as matron of honor. Bridesmaids, dressed in navy blue satin gowns, were the bride's sister Sandra Kean of Dallas; sister-in-law Cheryl Hergott of Las Vegas; and junior bridesmaids were Marissa Hergott, the groom's daughter, and Lexie Hergott, niece of the groom, both of Las Vegas.

The groom was served by his brother, Scott of Las Vegas, as best man. Groomsmen were the groom's brother Al of Newport Beach, Calif.; Tricia's brother-in-law Larry Hurwitz of Calabasas; and Jordan Beinke of Las Vegas. Ring bearers were nephews Spencer and Joshua Hurwitz.

A reception followed in the Anthem Country Club, where the Very Vegas Band entertained guests while butlers served crab cakes, spring rolls and bruschetta. A buffet offered shrimp and crab legs centered around an ice carving.

The 170 black-tie guests were seated at formal dining tables done in white silk with stripes of silver. Centerpieces were tall crystal vases filled with white orchids in the stem and topped with bouquets of white hydrangea, stock, orchids and pale pink roses. The four-tiered wedding cake was decorated in the same fresh flowers.

The dining room overlooked the Las Vegas skyline, and as the wedding party was introduced, silver sparklers encircling the windows on the outside were set off.

Dinner by chef Matt Veit began with an Anthem salad and an intermezzo of lemon sorbet and mango granite. The duel entree of Kobe beef tenderloin with pan-roasted sea bass and white truffle mashed potatoes was accompanied by Ferrari-Carano chardonnay and merlot wines. Desserts were miniature pastries and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Music was by Mahoney Entertainment.

The bride and groom were both raised in the San Fernando Valley. Tricia is from Encino and Eric is from Woodland Hills, Calif. Tricia's stepparents are Helga and Joseph Tumpek. Tricia, an Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter is a news anchor for KTNV-TV, Channel 13, and Eric is owner/CEO of Hergott Trading, provider of fresh seafood from around the world.

The newlyweds will reside in Las Vegas following their honeymoon at the Four Seasons in Kona, Hawaii.