Among the winners at the Family, Fur & Fun Festival was Ali Olsen’s dachshund, Sofie, dressed as “Snifferella.”
Three high school students were honored by the Public Education Foundation and Montblanc in the “Write About An Adventure” creative writing contest. First place went to Tristan Graney, a junior from Nevada Learning Academy, who received a Montblanc Meisterstuck Fountain Pen and a $500 scholarship. Second place went to Frank Aguilar, a freshman at Basic High School, who received a $100 gift card to Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian/Palazzo. Third place went to Daniel Mallory, a junior at Green Valley High School, who received a $50 gift card to the Grand Lux Restaurant at Venetian.
Employees from M&M’S World and Ethel M Chocolates joined forces to help Habitat for Humanity. Last year, Mars employees donated almost 70,000 hours of time to support organizations worldwide.
The Las Vegas chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored local philanthropists at its 23rd annual philanthropy awards luncheon. Honored were Victoria Fertitta, Outstanding Philanthropist; Debra Mills, President’s Award for Service to AFP; Jordan Coppert, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy; Art Marshall, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Outstanding Foundation; Lynn Etkins, Outstanding Fundraising Professional; Russ Kost III, Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation awarded three grants worth $9,500 to Boys & Girls Clubs in Nevada. The Southern Highlands Unit received $5,000; the Elko Unit received $3,000; and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Truckee Meadows, Fernley Intermediate School received $1,500.
The Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada, a nonprofit pediatric cancer outpatient treatment facility, received a $245,000 grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to expand a long-term follow-up clinic for childhood cancer survivors.
Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel offered veterans 1,500 free vacations and thousands of free tickets to an Orlando Predators arena football game.
United Nissan representatives and Forman Automotive Group owner Don Forman donated $5,000 to Three Square Food Bank from a test-drive fundraiser, enough to provide about 15,000 meals.
The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation’s Shine for a Superhero 5k race and walk raised more than $196,000. More than 2,000 people participated.
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada received $10,000 from Mark Curry, founder of MacFarlane Group. The money will be used to provide health and wellness programs.
The Call of Duty Endowment and MGM Resorts International are supporting the “Boots To Business” veteran transition assistance program. The endowment selected the program to receive the 2014 Seal of Distinction Award, which comes with an initial $30,000 grant and operational advice and support. MGM Resorts International pledged $250,000 to the Nevada Military Support Alliance to help build the state’s first Fisher House for military families.
CenturyLink will give away $35,000 in grants to Clark County for technology in classrooms.
The Henderson Police Officers’ Association Charitable Foundation donated $5,000 for SAFE House’s 6th annual “Run for Shelter” 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk. Tronox donated $1,000. Fisher Industries donated $500.
More than $7,000 was raised for local animal shelters and rescues at the Family, Fur & Fun Festival. Sponsored by Las Vegas Hot Diggity Dachshund Club & Rescue, a Halloween costume contest raised more than $2,000.
Nevada Public Radio’s fall membership campaign surpassed its goal of funding 30,000 meals for Three Square Food Bank. Sixty percent of people who became members or renewed memberships selected the “social good” premium, funding 38,910 meals for the agency.
The NV Energy Foundation contributed more than $455,000 to 35 nonprofit organizations statewide during the third quarter of 2014. Grants were awarded to 16 Southern Nevada organizations, including the Nevada State College Foundation, Teach for America, the Solar Electric Power Association, HELP of Southern Nevada and United Way of Southern Nevada.
Southern Nevada McDonald’s owners donated more than $30,000 to 60-plus local educators. The money will pay for a teaching garden, robotics starter kit and silver mining camp learning experience.
The “Live Your Passion” Benefit and Concert, presented by Hyundai, raised more than $250,000 for the Lili Claire Foundation. Co-sponsored by Warner Bros. Television, the event included a poker tournament chaired by Jason Alexander and concert hosted by comedians Caroline Rhea and Aisha Tyler.
Joseph Miller, Fisher Industries Nevada area manager, and Mike Scronce, Fisher Industries Nevada operations manager, were named “Honorary Playmakers” by the Clark County Department of Family Services for their help on the KaBOOM! playground project at Childhaven.
Underprivileged children and families affiliated with After-School All-Stars Las Vegas, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada received free Thanksgiving dinner during the 24th annual Turkey Gobble at Piero’s Italian Cuisine. Chefs and employees prepared 400 pounds of turkey, 1,100 pounds of potatoes, 2,000 rolls and 300 pies for 1,200 guests.
Convoy of Hope stopped at the Champion Center of Las Vegas to provide $1 million in free goods and services, including more than 35,000 pounds of groceries, haircuts, dental check-ups, family portraits, health services, job and career services, a childrens carnival and more.
Arizona Charlie’s employees assembled about 60 Thanksgiving food boxes for families in need.
A yearlong “pay it forward” campaign by Matt Smith Physical Therapy continued over Thanksgiving with local schools and students giving gifts to other schools and students. Sewell Elementary School received more than 800 “rainbow loom” bracelets, mostly made by students at Hayden Elementary School.
Three at-risk schools started an outdoor garden classroom thanks to a $20,000 grant from Keep Las Vegas Beautiful. The money is being used at Vegas Verde Elementary, Gibson Middle and Matt Kelly Elementary schools.