Students from UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration are busy gearing up for the fourth annual Friends of Nevada dinner Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. The event, which will be held at the Boyd Dining Room in the Frank and Estella Beam Hall on the UNLV campus, is a fundraiser for Poverello House, a non-profit organization providing shelter to the homeless in North Las Vegas and Henderson. The dinner event has raised more than $20,000 for Poverello House over the past three years.

UNLV Hotel College students are actively involved in planning and coordinating the entire event. They also do all the menu preparation and cooking, supervised by Chef Jean Hertzman, director of operations of the Food & Beverage Management Department. "This dinner gives student managers an opportunity to develop their management, leadership, communication, and networking skills," she said. "It also shows all the students how important it is to give back to the community."

Students will be serving up gourmet food at tasting stations, including a seafood bar and carving station, as well as areas featuring pasta, salads and desserts. An open bar with specialty beers and wine will be provided. Door prizes and a silent auction will also be offered at the event.

The cost of the dinner is $75 per person, and includes cocktails, microbrews, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. A reception will begin at 6p.m. with dinner following at 7p.m. For reservations, call Valerie Nehmer at 895-1330.

The proceeds of this dinner will help Poverello House purchase food and supplies and maintain their facilities at their two houses, one downtown and one in Henderson. Poverello House offers daytime hospitality to homeless men and women in a homelike environment, including laundry facilities, showers, home cooked meals and beds. It serves as an oasis for the poor who live on the streets of Las Vegas and Henderson.