Deaf Action Center of Louisiana breaks fundraising record at glittery Las Vegas Night gala
With Collin Phillips at the helm, Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center of Louisiana Las Vegas Night 2023 grossed five million dollars, breaking a record for money raised at the popular every-other-year event.
Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce Hon. Carlos Gutierrez and wife Edilia topped the list of some 500 throwing the dice at the black-tie optional party at the Petroleum Club. Gutierrez was appointed to the post by President George W. Bush. He has also been chairman of Kellogg, Co.
Gutierrez's daughter, Karina Gutierrez Phillips, is married to L.V. Chairman, Collin and they make their home here. The two said "I do" earlier this year at a small family ceremony in Washington, D.C., saidCollin's Aunt Sandi Kallenberg.
Gutierrez, his wife Edilia and their family didn't just attend the fundraiser but were among the top five "Jackpot" sponsors. The others: Crow Interests, Jeffrey & Sandi Kallenberg, The Fred L. Phillips Foundation, Bradley & Kimberly Schlosser.
Collin is the grandson of the DAC founders Leonard and Betty Phillips. Gregory and Heidi Kallenberg, Patrick and Alexa Phillips Dean and Chris Phillips rounded out the family members in attendance. Chris offered a live auction posh dinner for 11 in his spectacular home. (DAÇ was dear to the hearts of the Phillipses and their children and grandchildren are agency supporters in many ways.)
The Petroleum Club's Floor 16 was packed from wall to wall, where blackjack, craps, and roulette were the games. Also: Fabulous food everywhere. Open bars. Silent Auctions for cold cash or gaming chips. A Live Auction. There were 13 live auction items and, 238 cash/chip choices.
We also learned earlier in the week that long-time DAC Chief David Hylan is retiring. He and partner Troy Hylan are off to a condo they own in Cozumel at the tip of the Yucatan, which they offered as a "Yucatan Adventure" in the live auction.
It sold for $9,000 to David and Wendy Benscoter. They will get their money's worth. How about this: An off-the-road ride through dense jungles to see natural wonders and native wildlife.
The usual $100 paddle raise became $137 in honor of Hylan.
Applause to Auction Chair Elizabeth Comegys. She procured fabulous selections, which brought in tons of money for the largest and most desirable auctions we've seen since Christmas in the Sky 2022. Partygoers bid the night away, including Comegys who snagged autographed Academy Award winner Bill Joyce's book for a chunk of cash.
VIPS seeing and being seen: Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and wifeElizabeth and Cliff and Donna Poimboeuf led the power pack of thoseseeing and being seen.
More: Stacey Mijalis, Caroline Brazzel, Dr. Russell Van Norman, and wife Susanna Van Norman, Caroline Hoogland, Alex and Elizabeth Kennedy, Bruce Allen and wife Dorothy Kristin Hanna,Frances Comegys, Sherry Kerr, Andre and Alicia Kennedy, Randy and Tracey James, Bob and Pam Atchison, Michelle Moore, Kelly Allums, Valerie Hoogland, Bossier City Councilman Jeff Free and wife Lisa, Jane Sugar, Quintin and Michele Hardtner, Bryan Sullivan, James Osborn, SusanMoffitt, Kit and Sara Margaret Gamble, and John and Lynne Manno.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Las Vegas Night breaks fundraising record for Deaf Action Center
