Links, Inc. honors Reid, Berkley during annual gala

The Links, Inc. Las Vegas Chapter had its annual formal gala Saturday at New York-New York, honoring Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley.

The Links, Inc. is a national not-for-profit organization for black women who want to improve the quality of life in their communities. It has 300 chapters and a membership of more than 11,000. The local chapter is part of the Western Region.

The organization focuses on four primary areas. Its National Trends and Services component focuses on organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. Its Services to Youth program covers issues such as teen pregnancy, delinquency, and drug and alcohol abuse. The International Trends and Services area offers help throughout the world, particularly in Africa. The Arts component offers support for the performing and visual arts.

The Nevada Democrats were honored by the group for their commitment to improving the quality of life for the state's residents.

Berkley was present to receive her award, but Reid was unable to attend and delivered his remarks by video.

Guests were welcomed by Links President Christine Clark. The invocation was delivered by Alice Carter.

Following the Cornish game hen dinner, award presentations were made by Clark and Links Vice President Marcia Rose Walker.

Exie Seastrunk and Juanita Williams conducted the silent auction.

Melanie Moore & Smooth Heat played for dancing.

Among those attending were County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, Maxine Porter, Teddy Osantowski, Fannye Steele, Ida Gaines, Sandra Mack, Bettye Haysbert, Wanda and John Hudson, Christella and Charles Moody, Marcia Rose and Darryl Walker, and Lenard and Sonny Ammons.

The gala was chaired by Hannah Brown and Diane Pollard.

Links, Inc. has 300 chapters with more than 11,000 members.

Paint the Town Red Gala: The Junior League of Las Vegas honored longtime community activist Donna Andress and arts supporters Dee and Don Snyder Friday at Wynn Las Vegas.

Andress, recipient of the Lifetime Community Achievement Award, has been a member of the Junior League (Service League) since 1955, and was president of the group in 1962.

Besides her volunteer work, she served on the Las Vegas Child Welfare Board and was appointed chairman of the Nevada State Welfare Board. Andress also served on the founding board of the Great Basin National Park and helped to establish the park's new visitors center. She is a member of the Mojave Desert Cultural and Heritage Association as well. She was named Distinguished Nevadan by the Board of Regents in 1997. Andress and her husband of 63 years, Gail, reside in Nelson.

The Snyders were recipients of the Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award for their charitable and civic activities. Don Snyder founded several businesses in the valley and has served on boards of several companies. Currently, he serves on the Nevada Development Authority, the UNLV Foundation, the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation and the Nevada Resort Association, among others.

Dee Snyder has been a board member of Lied Discovery Children's Museum for 10 years and is one of the founding members of The Black Mountain Institute.

The Snyders have three children.

During dinner, Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for items ranging from travel packages to a Pomeranian puppy.

Guests included Mary Cashman, Madeleine Andress, Janice and Fred Allen, Betsy Rhodes, Carolyn Sparks, Irwin Molasky, Suzanne and Mark Van Aken, Sherry and Richard Colquitt, JoAnn Kelly, Shelli and George Wara, Tina Morgan, Nancy and John Shepherd, Maria and Ted Quirk, Merla Lysgaard, Jeane Boman, Nancy and Gene Heberlee, Sharon and Tom Beatty, Sharon and Larry Schmitt, Linda Givens, Lois and Jim Zellers, Cheryl Purdue, Sally McKinney, Margaret and Carl Johnson, Nancy and Robert Fromm, Selma and Troy Bartlett, Stephanie and Brent Vogel, former Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas President David Ashley.

Gala co-chairs were Jenna Doughton and Heather Kalajian.

Luncheon: A benefit for My Hope Chest took place Friday at The Stirling Club. The organization helps women in need of breast surgery reconstruction, which can cost $10,000.

Guests were greeted by My Hope Chest Las Vegas founder Alisa Savoretti and President Bea Goodwin.

Entertainment was provided by Damian Cage and Adam Hughes of "Thunder From Down Under" and comedian Rita Rudner. Emceeing the event was Jan Fair.

Among those attending were Mark Wayman, Barbara Moorer, Tracey Thompson, Gloria Kofahl Dlack, Adrianne Carlino Gentile, Patty Schuermann, Jenny List, Jim Brooks, Penny Levin and Jackie Baskow.