When Leaders Unite

UNITED WAY SOUTHERN NEVADA’S ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY FALL SOIRÉE AT THE HOME OF ARTIST DORIT SCHWARTZ

By Stacey Gualandi
Photography by Alex S.

It was a fabulous evening fit for a fall soirée.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society gathered members of the changemaking community to support the United Way Southern Nevada’s movement to create real, lasting impact in the community.

“This collective is to give gratitude for the generosity of the people who are here and are part of the Tocqueville Society,” said UWSN President and CEO Samuel Rudd. “It is also to reiterate the importance of not only a one-time gift, but a consistent long-term series of annual gifts because that’s what makes systemic change.”

Renowned artist Dorit Schwartz and her husband, Ronnie Schwartz, welcomed guests inside their luxurious Las Vegas home, now featured in Architectural Digest. The intimate crowd was surrounded by her award-winning artwork and timeless sculptures that harmonize wood and healing crystals into organic designs.

“Uniting together as a community to help the less fortunate — it just touched my heart,” Dorit said. “We always have the need to assist another, and if we have the ability to, it’s an honor.”

The timing however was bittersweet.

Rudd announced that, with the government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) will be paused, affecting over 500,000 Nevadans.

“Thankfully, the governor and the Nevada legislative body were able to help extend WIC through December,” Rudd said. “But we were asked, ‘Can you help us get the people in need to the people that can help?’ And we said, ‘Yes, we will.’”

Also in attendance was Mayor Shelley Berkley.

“I’m so glad that I came. One, it reinforces the message of what United Way does for the community,” Berkley said. “And I learned for the first time here that the federal government just paused WIC and SNAP funding. When I get to work tomorrow, we have to figure out how to ease the suffering of so many families who are going to be impacted by that very bad decision. This is going to be a challenge, but I know United Way is going to be here to help take care of our citizens, and certainly the city of Las Vegas is going to do our share.”

“I can’t remember a time when there was more uncertainty as it relates to federal funding in 60 years,” UWSN chairman and longtime board member Don Snyder said.

“But I think [the rapid response] speaks to the role that United Way can play and does play, and Sam’s leadership of United Way couldn’t be at a better time.  I have a really high regard for what he and the team are doing to help us navigate these difficult times.”

In addition to offering her home, Dorit — who also designed UWSN’s Legacy Award — is donating 20% of all artwork and commissions from her studio to support UWSN’s mission of purposefully lifting the community.

Major Gifts Officer Laura Henkel summed up the evening perfectly: When leaders unite, Southern Nevada rises.

“I believe UWSN is the North Star of our community, and it’s connecting those in need with those who we can give at the highest level,” Henkel said. “So, I just want to say the leaders of today are creating our legacy for tomorrow — and what we do now has such great impact.”