Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation Raises More Than $1.6 Million Dollars for Eight Local Charities
Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation (OCCF) kicked off its 23rd annual Governor’s Black Tie this past weekend (March 30-April 1) at M Resort Spa Casino. Headlined by country music royalty and current celebrity judge on ABC’s American Idol, Luke Bryan, OCCF raised more than $1.6 million dollars during the annual three-day event.
Money raised from the weekend will support eight local charities including the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada, Candlelighters, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Children’s Heart Foundation, Assistance League of Las Vegas, Opportunity Village, Andson, and Discovery Children’s Museum.
Since its first charitable event in 2000, Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation, founded by Garry Goett and Guy Inzalaco, has led the charge to improve the quality of life for women and children in Southern Nevada by raising $27 million dollars from its various fundraising events and numerous philanthropic endeavors.
Supported by the Governor of Nevada since its inception, the Governor’s Black Tie continues to be the premier fundraising event in the state of Nevada. The three-day gala kicked off Thursday with the Governor’s Grand Bash. Held inside the Milan Ballroom at The M due to weather, the Grand Bash began with an impressive strolling-style dinner followed by a program emceed by Las Vegas’ favorite host, Mark Shunock. Nevada native and former American Idol contestant Johanna Lyn Jones sang a rousing patriotic tribute before Garry Goett and OCCF Executive Director Angela Rock presented the benefitting charities and kicked off the live auction featuring items including four tickets to Super Bowl LVIII 2024 held for the first time ever in Las Vegas, a 2023 Range Rover Sport from Jaguar Land Rover Las Vegas, vacation packages from Inspirato and more. The highlight of the evening was a private performance by country music icon Luke Bryan that had all attendees up on their feet and dancing the night away.
Friday started the two-day golf tournament with Governor Joe Lombardo and Garry Goett on hand welcoming golfers and posing for photos. New this year, golfers each received a custom cowboy hat provided by the ultimate Western-lifestyle headwear provider, Resistol. Festivities continued in the evening with the formal black-tie reception and plated dinner at Southern Highlands Golf Club, concluding with an impressive ten-minute firework display.
Saturday saw the first-ever, First Lady’s Luncheon with honored guest Nevada’s First Lady Donna Lombardo. Under sunny skies, attendees enjoyed shopping pop-ups presented by a variety of retailers from The Forum Shops at Caesars. The day continued with tournament play which wrapped Saturday afternoon with a million-dollar shot competition and closing awards ceremony.
Garry Goett, the founder of Olympia Companies Charitable Foundation and CEO of Olympia Companies, said, "We started this with a vision to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families in need in Southern Nevada. Supporting charities that align with our vision is a priority for us at Olympia, and we work very hard to ensure the Governor’s Black Tie champions this cause. We are grateful for the work of our charity partners and the support of Governor Lombardo, our sponsors, and this year’s attendees."