Canon Gala for missing and exploited children

Canon U.S.A. sponsored a star-studded Celebrity Red Carpet and Dinner event to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Canon4Kids has supported the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children since 1998 to help raise public awareness of the national issue of child abduction and exploitation. 

Approximately 50 celebrities attended the event including: Alice Cooper, Blair Underwood, Ricardo Chavira, Richard Burgi (both in Desperate Housewives), Gregory Harrison, Randy Oakes, Colonel Ronnie W. Clunnigham, Davey Jones, Rudy Gatlin, Ron Lucas, Bobby Badfinger, and John Daly among others.

As part of the Canon4Kids program, more than 1,400 pieces of donated Canon equipment (digital cameras, fax-phones, printer and scanners) have been distributed to law-enforcement agencies in 37 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. The program also includes the placement of public service announcements with photographs of missing children in newspapers and magazines across the country to help in the recovery process.  NCMEC was created in 1984 to provide families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited children.  NCMBC has assisted law enforcement personnel with more than 135,800 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 118,700.

John and Reve’ Walsh whose son, Adam was abducted and murdered helped pass the Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1984 which created the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which now serves as the national clearinghouse for information on missing children and the prevention of child victimization.

Dinner was served buffet style and quite good.  A silent and live auction provided guests with exceptional gifts and a financial contribution for NCMEC. After dinner, guests enjoyed entertainment and dancing. 

Entertainment was provided by 23-year-old identical triplets from Poland, Aleksandra, Izabela and Monika. These beautiful and talented triplets are called ALIZMA and are fabulous violinists with beautiful singing voices. They have all recently earned Masters Degrees in Violin Performance, but also specialize in voice and other string instruments.  They have been performing their own music along with classical and modern arrangements on stage and screen. The audience loved them. 

Then came the Fab Four, who have caused quite a stir in Las Vegas with their uncanny live realistic tribute performance of The Beatles.  Guests enjoyed them as they danced and sang along.  During their stint, Davey Jones of the Monkees performed, an extra plus. 

The following day, the 9^th annual Canon’s 9^th annual customer Appreciation celebrity Golf tournament was held at TPC- The Canyons to benefit the NCMEC.

The Fab Four

Davey Jones

Alzima Triplets

Diamond Star Events Reception

Diamond Star Networking Events hosted a reception and silent auction fundraiser at The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place, to benefit The Center for Homeless and Neglected Young Adults.  The mission of the Center for Homeless and Neglected Young Adults is to provide housing, education, vocational training and case management for homeless and at-risk teens, ages 17-24, while promoting self reliance, community involvement and personal accountability.

Steve Dixon, a former police officer-turned musician and leader of the Mason-Dixon’s Band, presented a live performance of selected cuts from his just-released CD "Life Can Be Over in a Flash.” Dixon donated all the evening’s CD proceeds to the Center for Homeless and Neglected Young Adults. In addition, Dixon promises to donate a portion of the proceeds of future CD sales to the non-profit organization.

Sherial Bratcher, founder and CEO of Diamond Star Networking Events donated proceeds of Steve Dixon’s CD Launch and Fundraiser to the Center for Homeless and Neglected Young Adults,” Sherial said. “This is my charity of choice. I hold a special place in my heart for homeless youth; I’ve experienced  homelessness myself.”  An enthusiastic gathering of guests contributed to the silent auction bidding that was filled with excellent merchandise. 

Audrey Roberts of ARTV served as Mistress of Ceremonies and introduced  Artist, Melanie Moore, sensational mixed media CHICAGO artist, who now lives in Las Vegas!  Melanie was a 2007 ARTV AWARDS Nominee. Her outstanding mixed media  & photographic talents, that she fuses together to create custom artworks were on display.  Melanie spotlighted her Cityscape of LAS VEGAS! 

Audrey Roberts, Sherial Bratcher, Adele (Z.Z.) and Marleen Marino

 Adele (Z.Z.) and Gennifer Flowers

Mason-Dixon’s Band

Oscar Night Sponsored By Southern NV Arthritis Foundation

The 80^th Annual Academy Awards Oscar night in Las Vegas was held in the Grand Ballroom of Planet Hollywood.  As in the Hollywood awards event, guests were in formal attire and glamorously dressed. Guests were there to not only enjoy the Oscar presentations, but to honor two very special honorees. Humanitarian, Cindy Dumaini and former Chanel 13 Anchor, Cathy Ray.  Hosted by honorary chairs, Siegfried & Roy the event was once again sponsored by The Arthritis Foundation of Southern Nevada.

Cindy Doumani was presented with the 2008 `Commitment to Community’ Award. Cindy has been a resident of Las Vegas for the past 46 years. She was a dancer and featured Showgirl, not only in Las Vegas, but also in San Francisco, Hawaii and Japan.  Cindy has a long history of commitment to the Las Vegas community, and to the care of children and animals everywhere. She has received numerous past awards and is a longtime supporter of many of Las Vegas’ charitable organizations. 

Cathy Ray was presented with the ‘Community Health Award.’  She has a distinguished career reporting on health issues within the Las Vegas community and has devoted many year of community service. Cathy was a nurse prior to anchoring Chanel 13 news.  She has received many awards for her work and has served on numerous community boards.                                                                                               

In past years, Cathy Ray has M.C.’d the Arthritis Foundation’s Oscar Party.  This year's M.C.’s were John Daly and Nina Raditich.

This was the 13^th consecutive year as the only officially sanctioned Oscar Party in Southern Nevada. Arthritis affects 46 million Americans.  One in five individuals have some form of physician-diagnosed Arthritis. In Southern Nevada there are over 300,000 people, including 1,000 children with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest non-profit donor to arthritis research in the country.

Much credit for the success of both events, The Arthritis Foundation Oscar Party and the Canon event to benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has to go to event planner Jaki Baskow and Associates and publicity honcho Trish Williamson.

Adele (Z.Z.), Siegfried Fischbacher and Annee Nounna

Nina Radetich and Trish Williamson

Adele (ZZ) and Randy Soard

Dr. Ted Jacobs, honoree Cathy Ray, Adele (ZZ) and Dr. Parvin Jacobs

Marjorie Fields with Honoree Cindy Dumaini

Honoree Cindy Dumaini

Frank and Chrissi Scinta and Adele (Z.Z.)

Jerry Fink (journalist) and Adele (Z.Z.)

Karen and Tony Ruivivar of the Society of Seven and Adele (Z.Z.)

Sondra Lynch, Adele (Z.Z.), Denny Weddle and Lou Ann Harrison Chessik

John Daly and Nina Radetich

Betty Bunch, Adele (Z.Z.) and Jim Hodge

Honoring NV Senator Harry Reid

Although the Democratic Convention held at Bally’s was a disaster because of the overflow of so many people, the Tribute to Senator Harry Reid that evening went on as planned.  Nevadan’s are so proud of Senator Harry Reid and showed it that evening, regardless of the disappointment of the convention that had to be postponed to a later date.