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Meet Your Neighbor: Mary Vail, OSG
By Callie Thomas
The famous 1942 J. Howard Miller poster entitled “We Can Do It” paid homage to the women that went to work and helped support the war effort by producing supplies in manufacturing plants. Resident Mary Vail could easily be considered the modern day inspiration of the positive, motivational and reckoning force in the artist’s depiction and is making a world of difference in our community today.
Mary grew up in rural Texas and later traveled around the world to join her military husband at remote duty stations. “I was exposed to living and health conditions many would deem unsatisfactory,” says Vail. Calling upon her strong family and Christian values, she began organizing initiatives to help children and families in need. Whether it was entertainment events, gathering clothing and food, arranging educational programs or recruiting funds for special interest groups, Mary’s positive outlook and driving force had become the catalyst for change. “I always found great joy and warmth in working with and helping others,” she said.
It’s no surprise that Vail, who’s become known as the “Philanthropic Publicist,” would focus her profession on humanitarian efforts and finding opportunities to improve the educational, physical or socio-economic lifestyle of less fortunate residents of Las Vegas and across the nation. As founder and president of Mary Vail, OSG Publicist, an independent public relations firm, she specializes in image building campaigns and focuses her energies on positive publicity. She has provided pro bono services to help charities and special interest groups from recruitment to fundraising and event planning. Vail strongly encourages her clients and celebrity associates to support charitable organizations and their efforts. “I’ve made it a mandatory company policy that all of my clients must be willing to support non-profit activities through whatever means they can provide,” Vail said. “I believe one of the keys to being successful in both business and philanthropy is being willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. One should not allow title or task to prevent them from doing the work themselves. If you aren’t willing to do it, then you shouldn’t expect someone else to do it.”
As if assisting existing organizations in their efforts weren’t enough, Mary decided to host her own event for the USA Weekend Magazine’s Make a Difference Day, which encourages the public to make an effort and help one another on the national day of charity. “Having been involved with high profile fundraisers, I was determined to create an event where the average individual or family could participate. I wanted the donor to have a direct impact without being financially intrusive,” she said. The Make a Difference Day Food Drive was born, and this year marks the 12th annual event. She hopes to collect over 15,000 pounds of food for the Salvation Army Food Bank, the beneficiary for the food drive. Mary recruited Smith’s Food and Drug Stores as well as local media partners, news personalities, businesses and celebrities for support.
Smith’s shoppers are asked to purchase one extra can of food for the Make a Difference Day Food Drive. Of course most shoppers donate more than one can and, on occasion, drop off a whole shopping basket full of food. It has become a very personal and emotional experience for Vail. “It’s not the hundreds of cans we collect that is so important; it’s the one can that may feed a family for dinner, that may be all the nourishment a child may get for the entire day, or keeps an infant from crying throughout the night. One can of food may not mean much, but to a struggling family it means someone cares.”
For her efforts, the award-winning publicist received the Paul M. Lund Public Service Award, the highest individual philanthropic award from the Public Relations Society of America, and has been knighted in the Order of St. George. She accounts her success to the love and support of her husband David of 30 years and their two children, Sean and Ashley. Her father, who passed away several years ago, has also been influential in her ongoing philanthropic endeavors. “My father told me there will always be those who have greater and less than yourself. I am determined to follow his path and help those who have less.”
Anyone interested in joining the food drive efforts on Saturday, October 23, 2010, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. can reach her at maryvail@cox.net.
