La Isla Uniforms
On July 23rd, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada learned a new skill, and, as is tradition, earned a new badge for their efforts. This particular endeavor was a bit unusual though, as they not only earned a badge, but they created it as well, thanks to Las Vegas Logos and Embroidery, part of La Isla Uniforms’ recent expansion.
To kick off the company’s Fashion for Passion event, several girls fashioned uniforms while others guessed what professions they represented. Later, Fernando Lara of Las Vegas Logos and Embroidery created an official Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada patch while giving the girls a tutorial on how a four-machine embroidery operates. Seamstress Lizbeth Alvarez took over from there, conducting the girls through all the stitching necessary to sew on badges and patches.
When all was sewed and done, a good time was had by all; the girls mastered another handy life skill; and La Isla did their very best to stoke in them the fires of passion and creativity. To continue their service to the organization and its participants, La Isla Uniforms is offering a special promotion to all Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada members, where they will sew on uniform badges complimentary through December 31st. For more info on La Isla Uniforms, visit www.laislauniformslasvegas.com or call 734-7070.
AFAN and InCorp
Early one Sunday morning in the summer of 2011, 17 children enthusiastically hopped into two vans and set off to have the time of their lives at summer camp. But these weren’t ordinary children; they were children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Each year, Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) sends a local group of children to Camp Courage in Big Bear, California. A summer camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS, the Camp Courage mission is to help children between the ages of 6 and 17 overcome the obstacles associated with HIV/AIDS by providing a therapeutic wilderness experience that fosters self-confidence, social interaction and social support. Campers get to participate in typical activities such as swimming, canoeing, crafts, hiking and horseback riding, among others that focus on building self-esteem, independence, communication and courage.
The camp is cost-free for the attendees, but it can’t run on love alone. Thanks to organizations like InCorp, AFAN can celebrate its most successful camp yet. InCorp’s generosity in sponsoring several campers, as well as creating care packs and volunteering at the send-off, proves that the community of Southern Nevada is devoted to tackling HIV/AIDS and making a difference in a child’s life. For more info, visit www.afanlv.org.
Chef Pete Ghione
There are many that would argue that good medicine doesn’t always come in a bottle with a child safe top; sometimes it comes on a plate. Chef Pete Ghione is among them, and he’s helping to fight cancer, one forkful at a time.
“Nutrition is obviously something people are becoming eager to learn about,” says Ghione. “Especially when it relates to potentially fighting and preventing cancer.” He would know. The turnout for his June 24th seminar about anti-cancer nutrition at The Caring Place brought in nearly three times the number that was expected. During the seminar, Ghione explained how conventionally grown, processed and refined ingredients negatively impact both our environment and our health, and how anything but organic can be a distraction to our immune system.
The most important aspect of the presentation, however, was about foods that fuel cancer and which ingredients have been known to help our body fight and resist cancer cells. In the end, the audience left with a better understanding of how fresh, clean and low-glycemic ingredients can help fight and prevent cancer. Just as we’re thankful for doctors that fight cancer in the lab, we’re grateful for Chef Ghione, who’s soldiering on in the kitchen. See what else he’s cooking up at www.cancercuisine.com.
HopeLink of Southern Nevada
For some kids, the first day back to school is an exciting one. But for over half of Clark County School District students, many of whom are facing the year with clothes that are too small and limited school supplies, it’s another story. These are the children that inspire the Henderson nonprofit HopeLink of Southern Nevada to continue hosting their annual Back-to-School Drive.
“Nearly 55% of the registered children in the Clark County School District are…considered low income,” says Daniel Dreitzer, executive director of HopeLink. These same families often have difficulty providing necessary school supplies for their children.
During this year’s event, HopeLink asked the community for help in providing these children with the back to school essentials necessary to start the year off right. Donors were asked to drop off complete outfits at Old Navy in Town Square, or to “adopt” a child to provide for. Thanks to the public’s generosity, HopeLink plans to give new outfits and supplies to approximately 1000 children at their Back 2 School Celebration on August 20th. Want to get involved? The cut-off date for adoptions is August 15th, so you’ll have to act fast. To learn more or get involved, visit www.link2hope.org or call 566-0576.
Engelstad Family Foundation
To say that the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit law firm, has a lot on its plate would be a vast understatement. Among other things, the organization provides free legal services to the most underrepresented folks in our community. But they couldn’t do it without the help of generous donors like the Engelstad Family Foundation, who recently announced that they will donate $3.9 million to the center’s $13 million Capital Campaign.
The $13 million will go toward the construction of a much-needed new facility where the center’s attorneys, paralegals and support staff can continue on their noble mission. “Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides a lifeline to children in our foster care system, to victims of domestic violence and consumer fraud, and to so many other vulnerable residents of Clark County,” said Kris Engelstad McGarry, trustee of the Engelstad Family Foundation. “We are so pleased to help ensure that this fine organization continues to serve this important role in our community.”
Tack this monumental donation onto a growing list of gifts from Ralph and Betty Engelstad; two truly selfless people who’ve given something more than just monetary help to so many in need–and that is hope. For more information on the center, visit www.lacsn.org.
Bank of America
Say what you will about banks these days, Bank of America is certainly coming through for thousands of Nevadans in need. In the first four months of 2011 alone, they donated $500 thousand in grants to 35 Nevada nonprofit organizations. With their recent $20,000 donation to the Women’s Development Center (WDC) of Las Vegas, it would seem that their gifts just keep on giving.
During these trying economic times, Bank of America’s generosity has allowed the WDC to continue providing quality housing services to low-income residents of Clark County. The donated funds will help the WDC educate and assist the community in pre and post purchasing, credit counseling, deficiency and default counseling and more.
“Giving back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism is a core principal for Bank of America,” said George Smith, president, Bank of America Nevada. “We are proud to continue very active charitable giving levels despite the economic downturn, because these are times when the nonprofit community sees the highest demand of need.” It’s all in the numbers. Last year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation provided more than $1.2 million in grants to nonprofits, and bank employees volunteered more than 9,000 hours for community service across Nevada. To learn more about the WDC, visit www.wdclv.org.
Dollar Loan Center
It’s official! The next few months are going to be hot, hot, hot! While most residents cringe when the outside temperatures broach the century mark, one local organization will be cheering for more. That’s because for the second year in a row, Dollar Loan Center is hosting their Heat is On campaign with Fox 5 Vegas in support of the nonprofit Opportunity Village.
During the summer-long initiative, Dollar Loan Center will be donating $100 to Opportunity Village for every day the official Las Vegas temperature reaches at least 100 degrees. “This is the second year we have hosted the Heat is On campaign and really enjoy it,” said Dollar Loan Center CEO Chuck Brennan. “It makes it a little easier to see so many ones and zeros in the forecast…when you know a very deserving organization will benefit from it.” If last year’s efforts, which raised $15,000, are any indication, that will be a certainty.
A well-known philanthropist, Brennan has also donated $10,000 to ensure a great 2011 season for the Henderson Little League, and hosted a food and donation drive to benefit Three Square Food Bank last December. To follow the Heat is On program, tune in to KVVU Fox 5 news every evening at 5, 10 and 11 p.m. or visit www.fox5vegas.com.
Style DQ Hair Salon
Though at first it might seem like any run-of-the-mill salon, Style DQ Hair Salon is anything but ordinary. Founder Derrick Robertson is on a mission to provide free haircuts to needy local families and to raise money for food, clothes and shelter for homeless families.
For the past eight years, DQ has been providing quality hair care to children who need it most in the Clark County School District and from various local nonprofit organizations. Every Friday, residents of Shade Tree are invited to the salon for free cuts, and members of the Boys and Girls Club drop by monthly. The list of DQ beneficiaries is a long one, including Title One Homeless Outreach Program for Education, Whitney Elementary, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Family Promise, Stand Up for Kids, Project Sunshine of Nevada, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Caring for Kids, among others.
As of June, they are embarking on another ambitious project–an attempt to raise $100,000 for the Shade Tree Shelter. For the fundraiser, Robertson is offering $10 haircuts (any style you want), and the proceeds will be racked up until he reaches the goal. How long will this fundraiser continue? “As long as it takes,” said Robertson. Now that’s dedication! For more information, call the salon at 566-HAIR.
City National Bank, The Public Education Foundation and Clark County READS
It’s no secret that Clark County School District libraries are suffering from lack of funding. Driving home that point is the fact that up until recently, the average copyright date of Helen C. Cannon Junior High School’s nonfiction collection was 1989. That is, until City National Bank, the PEF and its Clark County READS initiative stepped in.
City National Bank, through its Reading is The Way Up literacy program, donated $10,000 to the Clark County READS Library Enhancement Program for this project. The PEF contributed $5000. Together, they provided the library with more than 700 new nonfiction books. “This is the second time City National Bank has enhanced a Clark County School District school library with new nonfiction books,” said Curtis Jones, director of Clark County READS. “City National Bank’s commitment to education is impacting the lives of thousands of students one book at a time.”
That they are. In addition to this recent donation to Cannon, they also established a “reading corner” at Jerome D. Mack Middle School and donated more than 500 brand new books, 300 comic books, furniture and $1000 for additional educational supplies. For more information, visit www.readingisthewayup.org.
Pediped Footwear
Over the last seven years, Henderson based children’s footwear company pediped® has become globally recognized as a company of integrity, innovation and style. And let’s not forget generosity! Since as early as 2005, the company has shown a remarkable philanthropic side, donating both money and their signature shoes to the likes of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and those in need in Haiti. In 2011, they’re at it again, helping children take those important life-affirming steps.
In January of this year, pediped® launched their official charity extension called the pediped foundation™ with a mission to enhance the lives of children and provide financial support to like-minded charities. That goal saw early fruition in March with the donation of $240,000 in shoes to the Southern Nevada Urban League WIC program and Sunrise Children’s Foundation, and again on May 21 when they donated $5000 to the Children’s Heart Foundation.
“pediped has always been committed to supporting causes that help children,” said Angela Edgeworth, President of pediped footwear. “We are thrilled to be able to support children in our own community through the pediped foundation with these donations.” For more info about the pediped foundation™ and to get involved, visit www.pedipedfoundation.org.
