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Dear Friends, Supporters and Students,

Our 12th annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring & Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) fundraiser was held last month on Friday, Oct. 4, at Luxor Hotel and Casino.

The event featured an exclusive cocktail reception, a private show by the Jabbawockeez, a poolside dine-around highlighted by many of the top chefs and restaurants in the city and an energized after-party hosted by LAX Nightclub. ECF also received an official proclamation from the City of Las Vegas declaring Oct. 4 as ‘ECF Day.’

On behalf of the executive committee, I’d like to sincerely thank all board members, students, donors, sponsors and friends who came out to support our organization. We raised substantial funds for local students and provided the young individuals with an invaluable learning experience working one of the biggest fundraisers of the year.

The success of the M.E.N.U.S. event and our foundation would not be possible without the support of our donors, sponsors and partners. Together, we are changing the lives of these young students by providing them with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. We help open the door to their future, and our brilliant students continue to exceed expectations by charging through to limitless possibilities.

Along with thanking everyone for their support, I’d like to officially welcome our new executive director, Melissa Arias, to the ECF family. Melissa joined us shortly before M.E.N.U.S. and did an incredible job jumping into action to ensure our organization had a successful and profitable event. Coming from an extensive background in the nonprofit sector, most recently serving as the director of development and distinguished events for the American Cancer Society, we are confident Melissa is the right choice to lead ECF into the future.

We are in the process of planning more unique events and developments in the near future, and look forward to growing as a foundation with your support. Please remember to visit our website at www.ecflv.org for more information, ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @EpicureanLV for photos and more.

Sincerely,

Jason Shkorupa
President of ECF

ECF is excited to announce the hiring of Melissa Arias as the new executive director for the nonprofit organization.

As executive director, Arias will oversee all fundraising, scholarship activities and day-to-day operations for the organization while working collaboratively with the executive committee, board of directors and students.

“It is an honor to join ECF and work with the board members and students,” said Arias. “My goal is to help raise the necessary funds and awareness needed to propel these deserving young individuals into becoming the next generation of hospitality and culinary leaders.”

Arias joins ECF after seven years with the American Cancer Society, most recently serving as the director of development and distinguished events from 2007 to 2013. In this role, she was responsible for the planning and execution of all marketing, fundraising, gift cultivation and special events management while overseeing the organization’s budgetary compliance. Arias was also responsible for developing a scholarship program for students with childhood cancer, leading the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and managing and executing the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament and Gala.

A graduate of Towson University in Towson, Md., she is also the founder of Young Professionals Against Cancer, received a Certificate of Commendation from U.S. Senator Harry Reid and was inducted into the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

ECF has been able to provide financial support and guidance to students for more than 12 years thanks to generous contributions from donors and sponsors, which currently include: Feel Good Brands, FIJI Water, Johnson Brothers/E&J Gallo, MGM Resorts International, Back Bar USA, Southern Wine & Spirits, Wirtz Beverage, Avero LLC and more. Future donors can support ECF with a monetary or in-kind donation, by matching a gift or by becoming a scholarship or M.E.N.U.S sponsor.

ECF is not only dedicated to enriching the lives of local hospitality students, but also to positively impacting the Las Vegas community on the whole. Recently, the Foundation made generous contributions to other local philanthropic organizations including donations of $25,000 to Keep Memory Alive, $15,000 to Nevada’s Latin Chamber of Commerce and $15,000 to the Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation.

For more information, please contact Melissa Arias at 702.932.5098, melissa@ecflv.org or visit the ECF website at www.ECFLV.org.