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Meet Your Neighbor: Elaine Joy Reininger
By Callie Thomas
It takes a trained eye, creativity and a little ingenuity to make the world a more beautiful place. People with caring hearts that extend their talents and grace to those in the community are the ones who truly make a difference. Resident Elaine Joy Reininger is such a person.
Every day, Reininger is surrounded by beautiful things. She is a Table Top Buyer for Wynn Las Vegas and the Encore Towers. So, exactly what does a Table Top Buyer do? From the exquisite dinnerware to the stylish silver, glassware, table linens and even the salt and pepper shakers, Elaine is responsible for purchasing it at the best price for all the restaurants, snack shops, in-room dining, catering and banquet areas, bars and nightclubs. “If you can’t eat it, I purchase it,” Reininger said. “From toothpicks to China to kitchen equipment, it’s my job to acquire it.” Her creative and stylish nature is also nurtured through her small art and event business called Lainey J’s, offering “Art with Heart,” an appropriate description of Reininger herself. She extends a very large heart in helping children and families throughout the community.
Elaine is no stranger to working with organizations that need a hand. The nineteen year resident was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but moved around wherever her Army father was stationed. She spent her teen years in Cleveland, Ohio where she was involved with B’nai Brith Youth Groups, through which teens from all backgrounds connect and become involved in serving their community and those in need throughout the world. “I also taught Hebrew and volunteered for United Jewish Religious Schools as a clerk and mentor for students, including mentally challenged youth,” said Reininger. Today, Elaine holds the Youth Liaison chair and is a member of the development committee for the Family Promise organization in Las Vegas.
It is estimated that over 13,000 people are homeless on any given night in Las Vegas. The Clark County School District estimates that over 5,000 children enrolled can be identified as being homeless. Family Promise is committed to helping homeless families in the Las Vegas valley achieve lasting independence. From safe shelter, meals and support, Family Promise mobilizes the community to extend those services. The group does this by partnering with faith houses and community organizations to help families transition from homelessness to stability and independence, with compassionate guidance, shelter and education. Elaine became involved with Family Promise through a “Mitzvah Day”, a day of service within the community through her synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid. “I participated in redesigning the playroom at the day house along with several other temple members,” she said. From that point forward, Reininger became an on-going part of Family Promise, extending her assistance to other projects, including Cardboard City 2009, an event which created awareness for homelessness; the God Lives in Glass musical fundraiser; and Hope 2, another fundraising event where the cast of Phantom presented an afternoon of classic ballet, just to name a few.
Reininger and her husband Steven have also encouraged their fifteen-year-old son Alexander (Zander) to pitch in as well. “My son and I repainted the Family Promise Day House kitchen. He gave his services there as part of his Bar Mitzvah project.”
Elaine Joy Reininger continues to lend a hand and influence others whether it is with Family Promise, donating to the Children’s Heart Association, the Breast Cancer Society or other organizations. “It warms my heart to help others who are less fortunate, and I hope that I have passed on to my family what my parents have taught me about giving back.”
