The Teacher EXCHANGE
It truly is an amazing thing when corporations, nonprofits and generous donors throughout the community come together with one common goal. It’s just that kind of team work that made the Teacher EXCHANGE’s 2010 back-to-school shopping event such a great success this year. After weeks of collecting school supplies through drives by local businesses and individual donors, the Teacher EXCHANGE hosted a private shopping event on August 23 to kick off back-to-school shopping. During the event, approximately 100 first-year teachers filled up a shopping bag with free school supplies and materials.
Founded by The Public Education Foundation, Harrah’s Entertainment and the Harrah’s Foundation, the Teacher EXCHANGE collects new and gently used items that teachers may “shop” for and use to enhance their classrooms. These much-needed supplies can save teachers roughly $1600 worth of annual, out-of-pocket expenses.
“The Teacher EXCHANGE assumes an even more critical role as the state and the Clark County School District face an on-going challenge to meet the needs of its students and teachers,” said Judi Steele, president and CPO of The Public Education Foundation. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Southern Nevada community and all the businesses that helped collect supplies.” For info, visit www.ccpef.org.
United Way of Southern Nevada’s – Kids & Cops
Children and police officers wouldn’t normally sound like a savory combination, but it is when you’re talking about United Way of Southern Nevada’s Kids & Cops program. Conceptualized in 2003 by United Way President and CEO Dan Goulet and LVMPD’s former sheriff Bill Young, the program’s aim is to create a positive relationship between local communities and law enforcement officials. With the help of organizations like MGM Resorts Foundation, they provide immediate assistance to children in need.
MGM Resorts Foundation, the employee charitable giving program for MGM Resorts, recently awarded Kids & Cops with a $45,000 grant. “This generous grant allows us to expand the good being done every day by our Kids & Cops program,” said Goulet. “Kids & Cops helps build healthy relationships between law enforcement and vulnerable children….”
This sizable donation was used to assist low-income families by providing children with $5 McDonald’s and $25 Walmart vouchers for the purchase of basic necessities, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items and the like. During a back to school event held on September 9th, NLVPD officers distributed the vouchers to students enrolled at Kermit Booker Elementary and the 100 Academy of Excellence School and offered shopping assistance. Thanks to all involved, more than 300 students started the school year off with the tools necessary to achieve. For more info about the Kids & Cops program, visit www.uwsn.org.
Simple Computer’s – Computers4Cause
The average time most people keep a computer is three years. Unfortunately, a great many discarded, yet still functional computers go straight to the landfill. Jim Brock and Mary Vigneault, creators of the nonprofit Computers4Cause, are attempting to change all that by refurbishing donated computers and pairing them with individuals, schools and nonprofit organizations in need in the Las Vegas community.
The initiative began with a donation to Seeds 2 Succeed, a transitional home for foster children moving into the real world. Furthering their cause, on September 29th they hosted the Business-to-Business Expo, offering vendors an opportunity to purchase booth space for $50 and share information about their products and services with other businesses. One hundred percent of the proceeds were then used by Computers4Cause to buy monitors, keyboards and mice to go with computer towers already acquired. “We believe that with proper tools and assistance, anyone can be successful,” said Vigneault. “Our goal eventually is to expand nationally and then internationally, keeping toxic waste out of landfills and helping people get back on their feet…one computer at a time.”
To donate a computer or make a monetary donation, drop off your computer at 1000 N. Green Valley Pkwy., 10525 S. Eastern Ave., #140 or 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., #170. Visit www.computers4cause.com for more info.
Massage Envy – Massage for the Cure
Massage Envy is giving new meaning to the phrase “helping hands.” For six years and running, the company has been raising funds for the non-profit organization Susan G. Komen for the Cure with their own Massage for the Cure program. This past September was no different.
The battle against breast cancer is an ongoing one, and on September 14th, guests of Massage Envy were invited to take on the fight personally. By indulging in a $49 massage–with $15 from each massage going to the Southern Nevada affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure–clients contributed to this cause in a most relaxing way! With the nationwide cooperation of over 620 Massage Envy locations, the event raised more than $400,000, which can be added to a tally of over 1.4 million that has been raised in previous years. Put to use in local communities, these contributions enable greater opportunities for breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs.
‘Too many women have lived in fear of breast cancer for far too long,’ Massage Envy founder John Leonesio stated. ‘It is my hope that our annual event will raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment so we may help those diagnosed with the disease increase their chances of survival.’ Visit www.MassageEnvy.com or www.KomenSouthernNevada.org for more info.
Origin India Restaurant & Bar
Origin India Restaurant & Bar is whipping up more than Tiki Masala and vegetarian specialties. They’re dishing out cash donations and charitable offerings to fight hunger and educate the valley’s youth.
Each year Share Our Strength, a national organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger, hosts an event called Taste of the Nation. The premier culinary event brings food lovers, local restaurants, chefs and mixologists together for a fundraiser of gastronomic proportions. After Origin India’s participation in the event, owner Raja Majid was so inspired by its overwhelming success that he donated $5000 to Share Our Strength. Perhaps that generosity is why Majid was awarded the Nevada Restaurant Association’s Good Neighbor Award, a highly coveted award given to the restaurateur who goes above and beyond in support of community activism.
Or perhaps it’s due to his continued commitment to charitable giving. Through the restaurant’s Cocktail of the Month program, Origin India donated $2 from every sale of a specialty cocktail to Create a Change Now, a local organization that seeks to educate children how to make healthier eating choices. July’s monthly beverage was an Orange Peach Margarita. Now that’s refreshing! For more information or to make a reservation, call 734-6342 or visit www.originindiarestaurant.com.
Nevada Title’s Focus School Project
The state may be getting a D- for cutting school budgets, but Las Vegas-based organizations like Nevada Title Company are bringing up the bell curve by assisting initiatives to help Clark County schools gather necessary supplies. One such initiative is the Focus School Project, which the Nevada Title Family of Companies has been involved with for more than 15 years.
Focus School Project matches Clark County schools with businesses, organizations, agencies and individuals to bring needed resources to students. This year, Nevada Title Company and its affiliate, Nevada Construction Services, committed to the cause by hosting their 2nd Annual School Supply Drive for at-risk students. During the initiative, Nevada Title Company and Nevada Construction Services offices served as drop-off points for donations of school supplies and travel size toiletries.
“Far too often, children in our community return to school lacking the basic tools needed to complete assignments and obtain the best education possible,” said Jeff Harris, president of NV Title Company. “Through this drive, we hope to provide students with the tools they need to learn and grow.” Thanks to Nevada Title Family of Companies’ efforts, hundreds of Southern Nevada students will have the supplies they need for the upcoming school year, and for that, they’ve earned an A+ from us. For more info, visit www.nevadatitle.com or call 251-5000.
Dessert Before Dinner
Dessert before dinner? Count us in! Especially if dessert is those scrumptious Girl Scout creations, this time with a gourmet twist. On Saturday, October 9th at 6 p.m. we can all be so lucky to partake in pre-meal time sweets at the Dessert Before Dinner event at the South Point Hotel and Casino.
The fifth annual gala will honor Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick with the Juliette Low Pearl Award for her more than 20 year dedication to girls in Southern Nevada. Bringing the event to a spectacular level of caloric bliss, Las Vegas’ finest pastry chefs will be featured in a baking competition using the popular Girl Scout cookie, Peanut Butter Patties. In an interactive pre-dinner setting, guests will have the opportunity to sample each of the chef’s unique dessert creations and vote one chef to be named “Grand Cookie Master.”
“This truly is one of the most fun charitable events in town. The participating chefs continue to amaze us every year with their decadent desserts,” said Emily Smith, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. Tickets are $275 per person and proceeds support Girl Scout programming throughout Southern Nevada. For more info, visit www.dessertbeforedinner.org.
Ricardo’s Dine for the Cure
As the official cancer institute of Southern Nevada, Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) has a formidable task on their hands: to reduce the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer center. Those with an appetite for altruism–and Mexican cuisine–had a chance to turn hunger into hope at Ricardo’s Dine for the Cure.
The annual charitable event was held on July 22nd this year, and, true to form, invited guests to raise their glasses and dine on their favorite Mexican dishes. Ricardo’s signature menu items like Tacos de Pescado, grilled halibut tacos, and Pollo de Ricardo, wine-sauteed chicken breast, plus a wide assortment of exotic, all-fruit margaritas were all part of the fundraising fiesta. After all the plates were cleared, Ricardo’s donated 30% of all sales, including dinner and alcohol, to NVCI.
“Nevada Cancer Institute relies on the support of dedicated community partners like Ricardo’s to help us offer the cutting-edge cancer treatment and research that Nevadans deserve,” said Dr. John C. Ruckdeschel, NVCI’s Director and CEO, Murren Family Distinguished Director’s Chair. “Together we are a much stronger force in the fight against cancer.” And to that we say, “Ole!” For information on the NVCI, visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call 822-LIFE.
Desert Perinatal Associates
Drs. Joey Adashek and Paul Wilkes of Desert Perinatal Associates spend their days caring for and dispensing invaluable advice to women with child. Wanting to give equal attention to certain precautions once the baby is born, they’ve recently partnered up with Safe Kids Clark County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of injury to children.
In the U.S., car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids under the age of 14. Research shows that the use of a properly installed car seat can reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for children ages 1 to 4. Additional research shows that although 96% of parents believe they install and use their car seats correctly, nearly 73% of car seats are misused.
Starting in mid-April, the good doctors began sending “car seat prescriptions” home with new parents to spring load their campaign for child safety. With the help of Safe Kids Clark County, they’ll also be conducting car seat checks at Belly Bliss/Desert Perinatal Associates (5761 S. Fort Apache Rd.) on the 4th Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon. The cost is $20, but you just can’t really put a price on the knowledge that your child is safe, can you? For more information, visit www.desertperinatalassociates.com or www.safekidsclarkcounty.org.
HopeLink 9th Annual Henderson Back 2 School Celebration
Soon enough, children across the valley will be getting saved by the bell. But before the school year commences, there’s work to be done for children who don’t have access to new supplies for the new year. HopeLink, a Henderson nonprofit organization, is teaming up with other like-minded organizations and community members to help provide much needed “back to school” essentials to children from low-income families.
“More families than ever are struggling to get school supplies and clothing for their children,” said Daniele Dreitzer, executive director of HopeLink. “Together, we can help these deserving kids start the school year right with necessitites like school supplies and a new outfit for the first day of school.”
The 9th Annual Henderson Back 2 School Celebration will be held on August 21st at the Valley View Recreation Center, during which backpacks filled with school supplies and a new outfit will be presented to approximately 1000 children. While Central Christian Church supplies all the backpacks and school supplies, HopeLink matches area businesses, faith communities and individual donors with one or more children. Donors ‘adopt’ a child and shop for complete outfits so that every child has at least one new outfit to start the school year with a smile. For more info, visit HopeLink’s website at www.link2hope.org.
