United Way of Southern Nevada Presents a Night of Tributes, Thanks and Tocqueville

BY STACEY GUALANDI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH DONATO (CASHMAN PHOTO)

“If men are to remain civilized, or to become so, the art of associating together must grow and improve in the same ratio in which the equality of conditions is increased.” — Alexis de Tocqueville

No words were better written by the French historian and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville, who came to America nearly 200 years ago to study prisons.

That quote couldn’t be more appropriate to describe the exclusive Tocqueville Society Soiree hosted by the United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) recently at the Rita Deanin Abbey Museum in Las Vegas.

“It’s really about, first of all, gratitude and thanking the donors who so graciously give to the mission of United Way, but also to the community,” said Sam L. Rudd, UWSN’s president and CEO.

The night was an unforgettable opportunity to honor art, culture and philanthropy, and to show appreciation for the ongoing and generous support of the United Way Tocqueville Society.

The Society is a worldwide organization that lets passionate leadership donors deepen their involvement in the UWSN mission by giving at least $10,000 per individual.

It “celebrates philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions from around the world who devote their time, talents and resources to solving our communities’ most pressing challenges.”

Since 1984, it has grown to more than 25,000 members.

UWSN Major Gifts Officer Laura Henkel said Southern Nevada is fortunate to have a chapter.

“It is comprised of our region’s most philanthropic community champions, including Don Snyder, who not only became a member, but he and his wife, Dee, created the Snyder Circle, elevating giving in this prestigious group,” Henkel said.

“At UWSN, we have also created a Tocqueville step-up program, which makes the annual $10,000 contribution more accessible over the course of three years.”

Joining Henkel at the event were the Snyders, about 70 society members, potential new members and locals, including Samantha Vitone and Daniel Samaniego of the soon-to-be Las Vegas Museum of Art, and Marta Poling Schmitt, the Tocqueville Society co-chair.

Guests enjoyed an engaging program—including a special video of the UWSN mission—while experiencing curated works from Rita Deanin Abbey, one of Nevada’s most renowned multi-disciplinary artists, offering a captivating blend of creativity and inspiration.

The must-see museum is a hidden gem.

An emotional moment came when Rudd honored the estate of Robert E. Donahue with a token of appreciation for Donahue’s “powerful acts of vision that allow us to plant seeds today in hopes to nourish generations to come.”

To commemorate Donahue’s lasting gift, Rudd presented a commissioned, hand-carved selenite sculpture by Dorit Schwartz, titled “Unconditional Love,” to David Pesta, a longtime friend of Donahue.

“Bob had faced hardships, and I came to find out by accident it was the United Way who were some of the people who once helped him.”

Chief Advancement and Communications Officer Karen Alonso said UWSN’s superpower is focusing on all areas of the community, not just one.

“We as employees pour ourselves into the work, and we’re seeing the impact here in the community,” Alonso said. “It’s the community that we live in, and it’s the community that we love.”

Rudd said he is most proud of his team because their accomplishments continue to inspire others to get behind the mission and donate.

After all, he said, we are all partners in this together.

“So, really, united is the way that we change lives,” Rudd said. “When you have a healthy United Way, you have a healthy community.”

That’s the United Way way, and I’m pretty sure Tocqueville would be proud.