Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.
The students at Kermit R. Booker Sr. Elementary School are among the most needy of Nevada's children. Their test scores in math and reading demonstrate how deeply they need help and additional resources to master literacy and math.
To make such opportunities available to these Las Vegas students, a community-wide coalition of citizens has been formed. Its first event, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," was held Saturday evening at Treasure Island.
Shirley Barber, Clark County School Board member who represents the Booker neighborhood, served as co-chairwoman of the fund-raiser. Working on this endeavor as well were school Principal Beverly Mathis, event planner Gloria Ransom and community leaders including Von Heinz, Gloria Sturman, Nancy Allf, Rose McKinney-James, Ida Gaines, Gwendolyn Williams, Mary Bolin and a host of other concerned citizens.
Among the supporters attending were Roy and Dr. Caryl Suzuki, Dr. Eleanore Chow, Dave Thomas, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Judge Johnnie Rawlinson of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, former School District principal and former North Las Vegas Councilman Theron Goynes, Lynn Schoen, Karen Bramwell-Thomas, Barbara Robinson with husband Dr. Andres Costas and Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia and wife Gail. Also present were Wayne Tanaka, director of the Andre Agassi Academy and Judi Steele, executive director of the Clark County Public Education Foundation.
Food for thought
The Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada does more than match volunteers and their strengths with nonprofit agencies needing assistance; it also provides ongoing training, shares funding sources and offers networking opportunities.
Its series of "lunch and learn" workshops, each lasting approximately two hours, are held in the conference room at the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Featured recently at the August workshop was Rosemary West, director of grant development/management for the United Way of Southern Nevada.
West, an experienced grant writer and funding researcher, gave an insightful presentation on the best way to write successful grants, with practical advice on wording, the reporting of data and appropriate terminology.
Those attending the lunchtime session were a rich cross-section of Southern Nevada's many volunteer and community agency directors, among them Suzanne Fain (UMC Hospital), Julia Romanov (Henderson Senior Center), Deena Weir and Charles Desiderio (Salvation Army), Rosemary Brisbois (Catholic Charities), Karen McPhee (Las Vegas Art Museum), David Rangel (Sunrise Children's Foundation) and Judy Mitchell (American Heart Association), to name just a few.
Sponsors helping keep costs to a minimum included Jackie Matthews of Matthews Communications, Sierra Health Services and Sam Lieberman, board president of the Volunteer Center. For details on future workshops and related activities, please contact Fran Smith, executive director of the Volunteer Center, at 892-2323.
Five students awarded
Barbara G. Edwards, beloved Palo Verde High School teacher and career educator, was among those tragically killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists crashed the plane she was aboard into the Pentagon.
In her honor, a memorial scholarship has been established by her family and many friends with contributions from benefactors including Coast Casinos, Southern Nevada School Counselors Association and the Security Benefit Group of Companies. Edwards' family requested these funds be administered by the Clark County Education Association's Community Foundation.
On Aug. 19 the first awards of $1,000 each were made to Harmony Brinks, Megan Darlington, Chenay Pointer, Susan Dons and YeVonne Allen, each a new high school graduate, now attending Nevada universities. Serving on the scholarship selection committee were Peggy Rosch, Mary Ellen Heise and Debbie Busch.
Assisting as well were CCEA Community Foundation board members including chairwoman Brendolyn Black with Marj Robinson, Tom Wellman, Verlene Chiodini, Marlene Palmatary and Marji Zimmerman. Edwards' sister Jane Gollan presented the scholarships and was assisted by Jim Arnold, divisional vice president of the Security Benefit Group of Companies. Attending the reception were parents and friends of the awardees as well as John Jasonek, executive director of the Clark County Classroom Teachers Association.
Benefit approaching
A favorite event for many is Golden Monarch Council's annual wine-tasting. Slated for Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m., the fund-raiser will be held at Gaudin Jaguar-Porsche-Aston Martin of Las Vegas, 7200 W. Sahara Ave. The evening will benefit Nathan Adelson Hospice's Silk Butterfly program.
Fine wines will be provided by Johnson Brothers Beverage, while the hors d'oeuvres and other delicacies will come from Malibu Chan's, Harley Davidson Cafe, Poker Palace Casino, Toto's Mexican Restaurant, Jelly Belly Bakery and Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased by calling the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation office at 796-3133.
The Golden Monarch Council, formerly limited to women members, includes dedicated professionals from diverse fields who have joined together to support the programs of Nathan Adelson Hospice. Their efforts include financial support to the hospice, presentations to educate the public about hospice care and networking opportunities for members who enjoy giving back to their community.
The Silk Butterfly program is one of the services offered by the hospice's affiliated Walter L. Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care, which offers counseling and education for terminally ill children and their families as well as those grieving the death of a child.
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