The two events spotlighted kids, and between them, they raised more than $800,000 and counting.
At Grand America, NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Operation Kids, and former teammate Jerry "Dancing With the Stars" Rice, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Thicke, Steve Mariucci, Ronnie Lott, Billy Gilman and Olympians Johann Koss and Joey Cheek joined 850 guests at the elegant dinner.
They were still counting a week later, but a $500,000 gift from Xango and $25,000 from Overstock.com added to the $500-a-seat dinner will make a big difference for OK causes: Christmas Box House, McGruff House Safety Network, Forever Young Foundation, 100% for Kids, The Children's Organ Transplant Association, Best Buddies, Operation Smile and Right to Play.
Leading the applause: Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch and Elaine Hatch, coaches LaVell Edwards and Bill Walsh, Xango president Aaron and Tiffany Garrity, Kent and Sarrah Crawford, John Lund, Jerry Moyes, Jack and Diana Towsley, Ali Bowman, Bob and Evelyn Gibson, Stewart and Spring Park, Carolyn Anderson, John Digles, Sherry and Grit Young, Tom and Isabelle Connors, and Ed and Linda Cline.
Across the street at Little America, Ronald McDonald held court as 660 guests, including Lloyd and Yvette Tani and Gina and Chuck Williams, inspected hundreds of silent auction items at the Oriental Odyssey Gala.
Last year, Ronald McDonald houses served more than 1,700 families who found themselves in Salt Lake City with children who needed medical care. The Salt Lake City facility was the 100th McDonald house in the country and has served 20,000 families by providing a home away from home with help from people who care.
Prized live auction items included a birthday party at Hogle Zoo ($750) and a murder mystery party in the comfort of your home, helping to raise more than $300,000.
Among folks "lovin' it" were Bruce Alder and Coralie Alder, Mae Brady, Victor Rickman, Dave Jones, house executive director D. Frances Gillmor, Samuel and Janet Goldstein, Gail and Bob Sanders, Marian Ingham, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson and Trell Rohovit, Richard and Kristen Vazquez, Yolanda Versteeg, Dorothy Anderson, Doug and Pat Black, Tami and Curt Christenson, Kathy Henchett, Fran Madlang, Diana Kirk, Rebecca Chavez-Houck and Martin Houck, Dale Evans, Brian and Janice Ruggles, Susan and Dave Smith, Kim Miyano, Pearl White, Cathy Hammond, Shae and Alex Searl, Chip and Gayle Everest, Julie Barrett and Judge Bill Barrett, Tom and Karen Duncan and John and Olga Vazquez.
COMING EVENTS
* Saddle up for "Shalom on the Range" May 18, 6 p.m., I.J. and Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center, 2 N. Medical Drive. Tickets are $36; reservations required, 801-581-0098.
Art Access invites you to "Three Hundred Plates" (metal recycled printer's plates by Utah artists) exhibition and sale on May 18, 6 to 8 p.m., Art Access Gallery, 339 W. Pierpont Ave., Salt Lake City. Tickets are $25 by May 15; $30 at the door. Call 801-328-0703.
Join StageRight TheaterCompany for "Springtime in New York," a movie and dinner Saturday, 6:30 p.m., 5001 S. Highland Drive (south end of the Cottonwood Mall), Holladay. Tickets are $25; call 801-369-5845.
