Vintage and Vines party benefits Adam’s Place

It was an exciting evening April 16 as hundreds of friends of Adam’s Place gathered to raise funds for the organization that empowers children coping with loss and grief.

Guests enjoyed wines, cheeses, vegetarian sliders, desserts and more during the fifth annual Vintage and Vines benefit.

The children of Adam’s Place modeled the latest styles on the runway as Junior League volunteers assisted them.

The backdrop was Land Rover Las Vegas, where attendees could ride in a Land Rover for a small donation. Balloons and teddy bears decorated the room. Guests purchased the bears for the children of Adam’s Place.

Giant posters with photos and copies of children’s letters to a deceased parent touched everyone’s heart.

One letter filled with photos from an 11-year-old said, “Dear Dad, It’s now been three years and I miss you terribly.”

Erica Hutchinson says she took her daughter to Adam’s Place on Rancho Drive in Las Vegas immediately after her husband died.

“Lots of times kids don’t want to talk to parents about their feelings of loss, but they will talk to other kids,” she said.

Five years ago, founder and president of Adam’s place, Kelly Boyers, searched everywhere for grief programs after her older son died in a car accident, but found none that met her needs.

Taking matters into her own hands, she opened Adam’s Place. Not only does the organization help children, it’s a place where parents get together to support each other.

Parents, teens and children meet in groups every other week and share a meal. Some have been in the program for as long as three years. Facilitators use arts, crafts, songs and games to encourage kids to express themselves.

“Coping is a lifelong process,” Boyers said. “We give them the skills to go on their journey and the skills to deal with the emotional pain.”

For more information about the group, visit www.adamsplaceforgrieflasvegas.org.