Las Vegas Nonprofit Celebrates Quarter-Century of Scholarships The Hospitality Charitable Foundation (HCF) will host its annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring and Educating Nevada's Upcoming Students) gala on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa. The event, themed "Reflections: 25 Years of Impact," will honor Martha Morales, one of the organization's earliest scholarship recipients, whose career trajectory exemplifies HCF's mission. Moreales received an HCF scholarship in 2005 and built a career spanning Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming before becoming vice president and general manager of Valley Forge Casino Resort in Pennsylvania. She was the first HCF scholarship alumna to join the Foundation's board and now serves as an honorary board member. "As we celebrate 25 years of HCF, it's incredibly rewarding to see our mission come full circle," said Michael Kennedy, president of the Hospitality Charitable Foundation and director of food operations at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. "This year, we're not only honoring one of our earliest scholarship recipients, Martha Morales, but we're also celebrating so many alumni who have returned to support the Foundation as sponsors, business owners, volunteers, board members and industry leaders. Martha's remarkable career, alongside the many alumni giving back through this year's gala, reflects the lasting impact of education, mentorship and opportunity."
Alumni Playing Active Roles in Event The gala will feature numerous HCF alumni in various capacities.
Participating alumni include Razelle Antipuesto, who will showcase her booth Sisters Menu; Jaslin Estavillo and Bettina Bautista, whose employer Aristocrat is sponsoring the event; Cami Keenan, leading décor efforts through MGM Resorts Event Productions; Ivette Aguirre of Buzz Event Designers, whose team includes alumna Diana Loaiza and current HCF scholar Camila Rodriguez-Pineda; HCF board member Vildan Buric; and Daniela Sanchez, a member of the Red Rock Resort catering team. M.E.N.U.S. will transform the Red Rock Resort pool into a dine-around experience featuring gourmet tastings, curated cocktails, premium wine and spirits, and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to embrace the "Glam, Sparkle & Shine" attire theme with looks inspired by silver, gold, and purple.
Foundation's Two-Decade Track Record Since its founding in 2001, HCF has invested more than $2.5 million in full-ride scholarships for Clark County students. The organization reports an 81% college graduation rate among its scholars—significantly exceeding the local average—with 77% of graduates continuing into hospitality industry careers. According to Melissa Arias, executive director of the Hospitality Charitable Foundation: "There is something incredibly special about looking around this year's event and seeing former scholarship recipients giving back in so many different ways. Whether they're being honored, sponsoring the event, volunteering behind the scenes or serving on our board, these alumni represent everything HCF hopes to achieve. Their success stories are a testament to what can happen when students are given opportunity, mentorship and a community that believes in them." HCF's comprehensive program provides full-ride and last-dollar scholarships, executive mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities, and hands-on industry experience. Scholarship recipients also assist with key M.E.N.U.S. responsibilities, gaining real-world event experience while building relationships with industry leaders. Major sponsors include Southern Glazer's Beverage Company, Breakthru Beverage, Gallo, Johnson Brothers, SAHARA Las Vegas, Sysco, Cellar Craft Distributors, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International. A full roster of participating restaurants, chefs, bars, and beverage partners will be announced in coming weeks. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at hcflv.org.
Why It Matters
For hospitality operators in the Southwest, the HCF gala underscores the industry's ongoing talent pipeline challenge. With an 81% graduation rate and 77% career placement rate in hospitality, HCF's scholarship model offers a tangible proof-of-concept for workforce development—one that major employers from Caesars to MGM actively support through sponsorship and alumni engagement.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
