WIN for KC Women's Sports Awards Celebration

WIN for KC; Our mission is to empower girls and women through advocating and promoting the lifetime value of sports and fitness, while providing opportunities for participation and leadership development; WIN for KC Women's Sports Awards Celebration; The largest event in the country celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day. WIN for KC recognizes local girls and women for their community contributions and achievements in sports and fitness; Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center; 11:30 a.m.; $100. Contact Sarah Dee: 1308 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64105 or 816-389-4191 or sdee@sportkc.org or www.winforkc.org.

All In For A Cure

Brady Stanton Memorial Fund; Proceeds from the Fund benefit pancreatic cancer research at The University of Kansas Cancer Center; All In For A Cure; The fifth annual event featuring an afternoon poker tournament and evening bash, delicious cuisine and a live band, set in two distinctly unique venues; Plaza 810 Zone and Madrid Theatre; 11 a.m./poker tournament, 6:30 p.m./bash; $85. Contact Martha Stanton: 8519 Cherokee Place, Leawood, KS 66206 or 913-341-1177 or marthacstanton@kc.rr.com or www.allinforacure.org.

Bayou Bash

Horizon Academy; The only program of its kind in the Kansas City area. We are dedicated to providing intensive care in an educational environment led by an expert staff, where children with learning disabilities in grades one through 12 can experience success in academics and in life; Bayou Bash; This eighth annual event will be a night of Mardi Gras fun with dinner, dancing and entertainment by the Michael Beers Band! We'll be hosting an online auction two weeks prior to the event and have silent and live auctions at the event. Creative Mardi Gras cocktail attire; best costumes are awarded; Starlight Theatre; 5:30 p.m.; $125. Contact Natalie Upp: 4901 Reinhardt Drive, Suite A, Roeland Park, KS 66205 or 913-422-0254 or nupp@horizon-academy.com or www.horizon-academy.org/bayoubash.

Martinis Gala 2012: We Heart the '80s

Heartland SPCA; Martinis Gala 2012: We Heart the '80s; Tease your big hair, put on your rad clothes and go "Back to the Future" for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and small plates, auctions, and live entertainment! Pull up those leg warmers and get "Footloose" to show We Heart the '80s (dogs and cats too)!; Overland Park Convention Center; 6:30 p.m.; $150. Contact Amy Atha: 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202 or 913-742-7335 or aatha@heartlandspca.org or www.heartlandspca.org.

Romantic Revels

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival; The Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary season in 2012 with two productions in rotating repertory; Antony and Cleopatra and A Midsummer Night's Dream, June 15th through July 19th. This event supports free productions and year-round education programs; Romantic Revels; The 10th anniversary of a great party in honor of Valentine's Day. Revelers will enjoy an open bar and sip Shakes'tinis during the cocktail hour while perusing the silent auction, then celebrate with a gourmet dinner and dancing 'til midnight to the tunes of KOKOMO. Surprise entertainment and special guest!; InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza; 7 p.m.; $200. Contact Sidonie Garrett: 3619 Broadway, Suite 2, Kansas City, MO 64111 or 816-531-7728 or sgarrett@kcshakes.org or www.kcshakes.org.

CCVI Food Fight 3

Children's Center for the Visually Impaired; The mission of the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired is to prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world; CCVI Food Fight 3; A culinary competition complete with three battling chefs, a secret ingredient, an hour for the chefs to prepare three dishes, and a panel of judges. 2012 Battling Chefs are Jennifer Maloney, Patrick Ryan and Michael Smith; Studio Dan Meiners; 6:30 p.m.; $75. Contact Jennifer Anderson: 3101 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 or 816-841-2284 or janderson@ccvi.org or www.ccvi.org.

Red Hot Night

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics; Last year Children's Mercy saw nearly 470,000 outpatient visits and 15,000 inpatient visits. Twenty-two thousand visits were from kids in eastern Jackson County who will soon benefit from Children's Mercy East. It is the region's only hospital to be ranked by US News & World Report for children's services; Red Hot Night; Hosted by the Hands and Hearts Auxiliary of Children's Mercy, guests will enjoy a fun, lively evening featuring social hour and signature cocktail, super silent auction, entertaining live auction, gourmet dinner, and dancing to America's best dance band - all to benefit the new Children's Mercy East; Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom; 5:30 p.m.; $175. Contact Ali Abplanalp: 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 or 816-346-1364 or events@cmh.edu or www.childrensmercy.org/redhotnight.

30th Annual Valentine Gala

Sunflower House; Sunflower House protects and advocates for children and families recovering from the effects of sexual and physical abuse. We partner with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice and educate children in Johnson and Wyandotte County schools. Sunflower House is a place of hope and healing; 30th Annual Valentine Gala; Allison and Chief Rick Armstrong and Chief Ellen Hanson are the co-chairmen of the 2012 Gala. Guests will enjoy live music, auctions, dinner, wine, and a chance to make a difference for an abused child. Susan and Ernie Straub will serve as honorary chairmen in honor of their dedication to protecting children; Overland Park Sheraton; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Allison McLain: 15440 West 65th Street, Shawnee, KS 66217 or 913 631-5800 or allison@sunflowerhouse.org or www.sunflowerhouse.org.

Art for the Children Auction and Gala

Medical Missions Foundation; Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation (MMF) has completed 60 missions in 12 countries and has impacted the lives of nearly 40,000 children and their families through life saving and life changing clinics and surgeries. In addition to medical treatment, MMF incorporates art into each mission; Art for the Children Auction and Gala; Celebrating its 16th year, this formal evening includes silent and live auctions, featuring some of the nation's best artists; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 6:30 p.m.; $150. Contact Shanna Goodman: 6405 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 510, Overland Park, KS 66202 or 913-338-0343 or mmf@mmfworld.org or www.mmfworld.org.

Feel Your Heart Race Valentine Gala

Victory Junction Midwest; Feel Your Heart Race Valentine Gala; Join Victory Junction Midwest as they host Wynonna Judd and The Big Noise; creative red tie optional; dinner and performance; funds raised will benefit the free-of-charge medical camping facility being built in Kansas City; Starlight Theatre; 5:30 p.m.; $200. Contact Kyle Brenner: kbrenner@victoryjunction.org or 913-534-8687 or www.victoryjunctionmidwestevents.com.

Firehouse Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament

Love Fund for Children; When the youngest among us needs help, The Love Fund steps in. We assist with everything from therapy and counseling to glasses, hearing aids, clothing, shoes, beds, cribs, and medical equipment - virtually anything and everything that will improve the quality of life for an area child in need; Firehouse Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament; It's a rousing day of Texas Hold 'em poker. Hunker down and match wits against some of the best poker faces in Kansas City! Bid on some of the fab one-of-a-kind silent auction offerings, or win the grand prize big screen TV!; Shark's in Shawnee Mission, Kansas; 11 a.m.; $75/must be 18 to play. Contact Lisa Herron: 3030 Summit, Kansas City, MO 64108 or 816-932-9170 or lisa.herron@lovefundforchildren.org or www.lovefundforchildren.org.

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

St. Agnes Catholic Grade School; Since 1923, we have been delivering a top-notch education to students in preschool through eighth grades in a safe, caring and faith-filled environment. Our staff is highly trained, innovative and dedicated to educating the whole person. We are honored to be a School of Excellence in reading, math and writing; Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!; Don your Mardi Gras beads, boas and masks for the 16th annual auction; single tickets and tables of 10 are available; bid on an array of donations in our silent and live auctions while enjoying great food and drinks; St. Agnes School; 6 p.m.; $50. Contact Mo Gaughan Orpin: 5130 Mission Road, Roeland Park, KS 66205 or 913-262-1686 or orpinmau@stagneskc.org or www.stagneskc.org.

Avila University Steer Dinner

Avila University; A private, co-educational, values-based liberal arts institution sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Ninety-seven percent of students receive financial aid, and we are committed to serving students based on their potential, not their economic means; Avila University Steer Dinner; The 35th annual Steer Dinner auction raises scholarship funds for Avila's students, including the S.O.L.D. scholarship fund named for Sr. Olive Louise Dallavis, president emerita of the University. The evening includes a social hour, dinner and a silent and live auction; Overland Park Sheraton; 6:30 p.m.; $200. Contact Susan Randolph: 11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145 or 816-501-3780 or susan.randolph@avila.edu or www.avila.edu.

Heart & Stroke Ball

American Heart Association; The nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America's number one and number three killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases affect 81 million American adults; Heart & Stroke Ball; Celebrating 25 years of saving lives in black ties! Guests will enjoy dinner, auctions, music by Lynne Jordan and The Shivers, and the after bash - Pulse Party. The Honorary Chairmen are Carla and Don Duryee; Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom; 6:30 p.m.; $350, $50/ Pulse Party. Contact Angie Galindo: 6800 West 93rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 or 913-652-1905 or angie.galindo@heart.org or www.kcheartandstrokeball.org.

Girls' Night In

The University of Kansas Hospital; Our vision is to lead the nation in caring, healing, teaching, and learning. Our mission is to deliver world-class patient care to the people we serve and ensure the excellence of future patient care through exceptional learning, teaching and research; Girls' Night In; A fun evening with friends to create awareness for good heart health. This year's event will feature a wine tasting and heart healthy food prepared by some of Kansas City's finest chefs; Portfolio; 6 p.m.; $125. Contact Jennifer Laubinger: 2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 302, Westwood, KS 66205 or 913-945-5717 or jlaubinger@kumc.edu or www.achangeofheartkc.org.

Canstruction

Harvesters - The Community Food Network; Harvesters is the area's only food bank. Our network includes more than 620 non-profit agencies throughout our 26 county service area. Harvesters' network of agencies feeds 66,000 different people per week. One in eight people will receive food from Harvesters' network this year; Canstruction; Teams of Kansas City architects, engineers and contractors show off their can-do spirit and creativity by building amazing structures using cans of food. Best of all, when the exhibit closes, the cans are donated to Harvesters, and the food helps feed those in need. The structures are displayed for a month; Ward Parkway Shopping Center; 6 p.m.; free admission. Contact Megan Hunter: 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129 or 816-929-3016 or mhunter@harvesters.org or www.harvesters.org.

Kids Night Out 2012

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City; The Clubs promote development of self-esteem, values and skills for youth, ages five through 18, with special emphasis on youth from disadvantaged circumstances. The Clubs' main goal is for its more than 7,000 members to graduate from high school on time and with post-secondary plans, so that they have great futures!; Kids Night Out 2012; In 2012, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City is celebrating 100 years of service in Kansas City! This special anniversary will be celebrated at Kids Night Out. Guests will enjoy dinner, silent and live auctions and a program featuring a special celebrity guest star; Crown Center Exhibit Hall; 5 p.m.; $300. Contact Julie O'Rourke: 6301 Rockhill Road, Suite 303, Kansas City, MO 64131 or 816-361-3600 or giving@helpkckids.org or www.helpkckids.org.

41st Annual Scholarship Ball

Benedictine College; A Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located in Atchison, Kansas. The school has been named one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and one of the top Catholic colleges by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide; 41st Annual Scholarship Ball; The Scholarship Ball has become known for its outstanding production, moving presentations and variety show entertainment. Mass begins at 4:30 p.m.; The Westin Crown Center Hotel; $175. Contact Sue Durkin: 1020 North Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002 or 913-360-7401 or sdurkin@benedictine.edu or www.benedictine.edu/scholarshipball.

Flights and Kites

Greater Kansas City Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta; Our mission is to provide social and philanthropic endeavors to enrich our diverse and talented members and encourage community service; Flights and Kites; A spectacular food and wine event benefiting CASA of Jackson and Johnson/Wyandotte counties and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation. Delicious food from local restaurants will be paired with a variety of wine at this annual event; Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport; 5:30 p.m.; $50. Contact Kristin McCauley: 21220 West 51st Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66218 or 785-741-1701 or flightsandkites@gmail.com or www.flightsandkites.blogspot.com.

Variety Show 2012

Variety Children's Charity of Greater Kansas City; Dedicated to improving the lives and mobility of physically and mentally challenged children, we are a volunteer-based organization that raises funds to improve children's lives and make dreams become reality; Variety Show 2012; The event will showcase some of Our Town's most recognizable philanthropists and celebrities as they share the stage with local professional entertainers; The Midland by AMC; 6 p.m.; $50. Contact Deborah Wiebrecht: P.O. Box 3446, Shawnee, KS 66203 or 913-558-2309 or varietykc@gmail.com or www.varietykc.org.

The Big Event

UMKC School of Law; The UMKC Law Foundation helps provide scholarships and other vital support to the School of Law. Donations give students a better experience, attracts and retains top faculty and helps to build a prestigious reputation for the law school; The Big Event; Co-hosted by the Law Foundation and the Law Alumni Association; attended by alumni and friends, this fun evening of music, dinner and cocktails celebrates our achievements during the past year and the school's bright future; Hilton President Kansas City; 6 p.m.; $75. Contact Cary Powers: 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110 or 816-235-5361 or powerscl@umkc.edu or www.law.umkc.edu.

Hoops & Sneakers Gala

American Diabetes Association; The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. In Kansas City, more than 320,000 people have diabetes. The ADA is working to stop diabetes; Hoops & Sneakers Gala; Co-chairmen Patricia Speier and Elena Wahbeh are planning an elegant and fun evening to celebrate the sixth annual gala. The event features live and silent auctions, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, program, dinner, and dancing. Ladies, get your fanciest hoop earrings ready, and men, put on your lucky sneakers!; Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Linda Crider: 10580 Barkley, Suite 400, Overland Park, KS 66212 or 913-383-8210 or lcrider@diabetes.org or www.diabetes.org/hoopsandsneakers.

Once Upon a Time

The Children's SPOT at Saint Luke's Hospital; Our mission is to provide early and intensive pediatric therapy services to infants and children with disabilities and developmental delays, regardless of ability to pay. The SPOT serves more than 540 patients each year in a compassionate, goal-oriented setting; Once Upon a Time; This family-friendly, child-inspired event for children and their grown ups celebrates the magical outcomes of speech, physical and occupational therapy for children with disabilities and developmental delays; Honorary Chairmen are Connie and Anthony Mendolia; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 3 p.m.; $100. Contact Sara Toppen: 4333 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111 or 816-932-7489 or stoppen@saint-lukes.org or www.saintlukesgiving.org/spot.

Cabaret

Rose Brooks Center; Rose Brooks Center is about saving lives - not just protecting the hundreds of women and children who need emergency shelter to escape immediate danger, but the thousands of families who dream of a life safe from violence - a complete life built on respect, love and compassion; Cabaret; Guests at the 25th anniversary celebration will enjoy a glamorous evening of dining and entertainment from stage and screen's favorite leading lady, Kristin Chenoweth; Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center; 6 p.m.; $500. Contact Sarah North: P.O. Box 320599, Kansas City, MO 64132 or 816-523-5550 or sarahn@rosebrooks.org or www.rosebrooks.org.