Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/124284
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY Gina Gavan, shown here at Cowboy Trail Farm, enjoys serving dinner in outdoor settings—at one long dinner table. table of love O ne Saturday in April 2009, I was home just flipping through magazines, and I remember thinking, We're missing something in this community, and the idea of people, food, and purpose started to swirl around in my brain. There was a gap: Some in the community said people don't volunteer in Las Vegas, but that wasn't my experience. I'd come across some really great people, so I thought, What better way to fill that gap than to start with my own circles of influence and bring people together? That's how the concept of Project Dinner Table was born. It was about getting back to the basics— at one really long dining table. 72 This goes back to something I lacked growing up. The fantasy has always been that you find that vibrational match, that person you were meant to be with and you sit down and have dinner with, and that is family. But my mom and her boyfriend traveled a lot, and there weren't a lot of family gatherings. I took care of my younger brother, who is homeless and has been on the streets since he was 15. So it brings me great satisfaction to bring people together and have them dine this way, together, the way I've always wanted. I've had two marriages; my daughter is 13 and lives in New Hampshire, in a community continued on page 74 PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN BROWN SATISFYING A LIFELONG CRAVING FOR TRADITIONAL FAMILY DINNERS, GINA GAVAN KICKS OFF THE FOURTH SEASON OF DOWNTOWN'S MOST CREATIVE FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE, PROJECT DINNER TABLE. AS TOLD TO JOANNA HAUGEN VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 072-074_V_SP_SofG_MAY-JUNE_13.indd 72 4/19/13 4:46 PM