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Making a Difference: 11th Annual Make a Difference Day Food Drive
11th Annual Make a Difference Day Food Drive
For over a decade and counting, the Annual Food Drive benefiting the Las Vegas Chapter Salvation Army Food Bank has been a source of hope, inspiration and, of course, nutrition, for those less fortunate in the community. This year, the 11th annual event held at Smith’s Food and Drug, 2211 N. Rampart in Summerlin, was no exception.
Local philanthropist Mary Vail, OSG established the annual drive as part of Make a Difference Day, a nationwide charity event. Over the years, the food drive has collected well over 34,000 pounds of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items. A staggering 4,680 pounds of non-perishable food was collected this year alone! With guest appearances and donations from NBC-KVBC TV-3 News Anchor Maria Silva, Frankie Scinta of The Scintas, ABC-KTNV TV-13 News Anchor Casey Smith, KVVU Fox-5 News Anchors Dave Hall & Heidi Hayes, KVVU Fox-5 Meteorologist Ted Pretty and Author Joe Vassallo of Paragon Pools, the day was a memorable one garnering much support from the community.
Even better, the event encouraged families to work together and experience the joy of giving, as Vail noted, “Our celebrities, sponsors and volunteers brought their kids, and more shoppers encouraged their children to get involved by having them select the food items donated.” Is there a better way to spend “the largest day of volunteering?” We think not.
Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School
Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School has been crusading for a higher purpose for 31 years: to provide a quality and balanced education in a Christ-centered environment. Making this kind of education accessible to those who cannot afford it takes the help of many generous donors, and, as Executive Director Kevin Dunning says, “When a student is eager to learn and grow in their faith, cost should not deter their purpose.”
From this noble cause came the Scholarship Endowment Gala, an annual tradition for the past nine years. Since its inception, the gala has raised almost $1.6 million. With Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL coach Mike Ditka in attendance, this year’s event on November 17, 2009 raised over $100,000. This endowment will help support over $75,000 in tuition assistance to families who would otherwise not be able to afford a private Christian education for their child at Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School.
“All scholarships at Faith Lutheran are need-based and have helped contribute to the school’s extraordinarily high graduation rate,” says Dunning. “Many of these students will continue on to receive additional scholarships to prestigious universities across the nation.”
The largest non-public school in Nevada, Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School, has a record enrollment of 1,320 students. To learn more about the school, visit www.faithlutheranlv.org.
