Gala raises money for Ronald McDonald House Charities

The Heart of Giving gala Sept. 7 at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas. The special event celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House, at 2323 Potosi St.

Guests including Jeff and Cyndy Silver, Deanna Ackerman, Annette Zaro, Michael Coon, Bill Evans, Violeta Alcantara, Kelly Landon, Manuel Vianna, Sharry and Tim Quillin, Kathy Mahon, Linda and Tony Bonnici, Carolyn Glaser, Kenny Shore, Angie England, Lee Butler, Bill Barrett, and Debra and Gary Ackerman participated in the silent auction during the party’s cocktail reception.

Dinner for the 300 guests was in the event room.

The evening’s program opened with artist Jean Francois Detaille painting two large pictures on canvas in 20 minutes.

Dinner music was by singer Tommy Ward, a prodigy of the Las Vegas Academy, and a six-piece band, Swayd.

Masters of ceremonies were Mark and Mercedes of KMXB-FM, 94.1. They welcomed special guests Susan Tose Spencer and Nan Tose Schwartz, daughters of Leonard Tose, the former Philadelphia Eagles owner, who in 1974 founded the first Ronald McDonald House, which was built in Philadelphia.

Dinner was by Master Chef Gustav Mauler.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg did the live auction for 10 packages, including two Super Bowl tickets that sold for $8,000 and an escape to Montana’s Belt Creek Ranch.

More funds were raised by the Engelstad Foundation, which offered a $5,000 check if another $5,000 could be secured at the dinner by raising the paddle. Gary Ackerman made the last donation to secure the $50,000 for Ronald McDonald House.

Board President Rick Fields spoke about Ronald McDonald House providing temporary housing for families who travel to Las Vegas to receive medical treatment for their children and the programs that directly benefit children and families in the greater Las Vegas area.

Fields presented the gala’s honorees, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, where children and their families are treated with compassion that goes beyond medicine. The Children’s Heart Center of Nevada received the 2013 House Hero Award for its specialized care.

Introduced was the Myers family of Bullhead City, Ariz. “Little Grace” was born weighing just 1 pound, 9 ounces and by staying at McDonald House, the family received excellent medical care as well as housing.

More guests attending were Ron Smith, Roberta Mann, Eva Martin, Cynthia Scott and Jerry Merrill. Also from Ronald McDonald House, Alyson McCarthy, executive director; Missy Check, special events; and Teresa Kunz, marketing manager.

Presenting sponsors were McDonald’s of Greater Las Vegas and Lexus of Las Vegas. Other sponsors were the Private Bank by Nevada State Bank, Care Meridian, Children’s Heart Center of Nevada, Cox Communications, e-gads, International Game Technology, Lotus Broadcasting, NV Energy, Pediatrix Medical Group, Southwest Gas Corp., Southwest Medical Associates and Sunrise Hospital Children’s Hospital.