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A Step Above: Carolyn Wheeler
By Callie Thomas
Some people just never say no. Thankfully, our community is that much the better because 89135 resident Carolyn Wheeler is always willing to lend a hand, even though she leads a busy life as a wife, mother and business owner. It is her generous heart that reaches out and is a part of the change that makes a difference in the lives of families in our neighborhood.
The longtime Las Vegas resident is adept at “juggling plates in the air” working tirelessly at home with daughter Lindsay and husband Brian, in her career as a marketing director, as well as involving herself in community organizations. “I’ve always been very involved in the community,” says Wheeler. “I joined the Junior League where I got my first glimpse of the community and how big the need is here. I served on their board for many years and enjoyed helping out in a variety of capacities.”
Carolyn is also a Junior Achievement volunteer, a Girl Scout Leader, serves on the PLT board at her daughter’s school and recently went back to work as the State Marketing Director for Communities In Schools of Nevada through the VISTA program. As if that weren’t giving enough, she also serves as the Board President for an organization which has become one of the most dear to her heart called Family to Family Connection, Las Vegas West.
Family to Family empowers and supports families and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their children from birth up to age four through parent education and community networking. “I took my daughter to Family to Family when she was a newborn,” Carolyn said. “The classes were invaluable and even more so were the relationships that were formed. It is a great place to go where you feel like family and can network with other moms who are going through the same ups and downs of parenthood. In fact, I still get together with a family that I met there when my daughter was only eight weeks old.”
The nonprofit organization offers free classes to parents as well as makes visits to new mothers at Mountain View Hospital and home visits upon request. “I wanted to find some way to repay the organizers for the free classes and invaluable information in some way, and when I asked the Executive Director, Dianne Farkas, what I could do, she asked me to be on her board.”
Six years ago the organization was looking for a new approach to help raise funds for the program. Out of that brainstorming session a special event called TOUCH-A-TRUCK became a reality. It is a one-of-a-kind offering that gives children an opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite big rigs, fire trucks, police cars and military vehicles. What kid wouldn’t want to get behind the wheel, honk the horn and talk to the hometown heroes who drive them every day?
Each year the program has grown by leaps and bounds and has been held at the Orleans Arena for the last few years to accommodate the throngs of kids and parents at the event. “Last year we had 90 trucks and 5,500 people and introduced a horn free hour for children with special needs in addition to a Jaws of Life demonstration by the fire department. It was incredible. We’re expecting another great TOUCH-A-TRUCK event on March 20,” Wheeler said.
Carolyn Wheeler refuses to say no and continues to give back to the community. “Creating a caring environment and being a positive role model for the children of our community is essential in setting an example for future generations.” For information on this year’s TOUCH-A-TRUCK event, visit www.touchatruck.net.
Carolyn is such a positive and energetic friend! I feel so lucky to know her. She is well liked and super generous. She is reliable and a creative! She gives it her all and we are all better for it. Thank you, Carolyn for being such a wonder role model for me and my daughter.