Photo Credits: Courtesy Communities In Schools of Nevada

CIS does this great thing where they see the potential in people, especially when it comes to kids- they don’t allow them to fail.

In fact, the event was created in honor of Communities In Schools of Nevada, highlighting the efforts of the nation’s leading dropout prevention program.

The mission of the night was to raise money for CIS, but first the scene. The disco-themed and second annual benefit gala “Today For Tomorrow” took place in the Belmont Ballroom inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Guest wore their best disco attire from bell-bottom pants to metallic “vintage Versace” tops.

The 1977 replica of the horse Bianca Jagger rode into Studio 54 welcomed guests into the reception area, rosé was poured and only the best gourmet bites were served. About an hour later, the velvet drape that hung from the ceiling dropped to unveil a massive ballroom where the main event would take place.

An aerial performer suspended from the ceiling in silk ropes and began to pour champagne for guests mid-air. Leather booths spread across the Belmont Room, and behind them were 13 different restaurants from The Cosmopolitan showcasing their most delicious and seasonal dishes. Be that as it may, it was more than the glamorous performances, eats, and bubbly. It was about the kids.

Through ticket proceeds, live and silent auctions, and other donations from the event, the 500 attendees raised over $400,000. At one point during the auction, Chef Paul Bartolotta took to the microphone and addressed the crowd: “This isn’t about me. This is about the kids.” He offered to cook two in-home dinners for eight people for each dinner bought. The result? The auctioned dinners brought in $12,000 each towards CIS.

With great power comes great responsibility and the same could be said about money. This night was about the kids, yes, but it also brought out the greatness in people. Grand people with great hearts and pockets full, exercising the real power behind their riches: to change the course of someone’s life today for tomorrow. Now, this is a crowd who knows the real value of money.