Life Is Beautiful partners with three schools
The team behind the Life Is Beautiful music, food, art and learning festival announced a new initiative, Our School Is Beautiful, with William H. “Bob” Bailey Middle School, Manch Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary.
In collaboration with Communities in Schools of Nevada, the Nevada affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention program, Our School Is Beautiful aims to empower at-risk students with pride in their schools, community and themselves.
At an assembly Feb. 17 at Bailey Middle School, more than 500 students gathered with Clark County School District staff and administration for a video presentation to introduce the new initiative. The day was highlighted by celebrities including chefs Rick Moonen and Bruce Bromberg, UFC fighter Miesha Tate, The Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers and Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons.
Beyond Las Vegas, the initiative aims to equip individuals in other cities with the tools and information they need to create similar events across the country.
Bank of America, Habitat for Humanity team up
Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas’ 2014 Home for the Holidays fundraiser helped generate more than $80,000 for rehabilitation work to build a Henderson home for Bob, Dawn and Billy McKinney, who were hit hard by the recession.
This is the 12th Habitat for Humanity home that Bank of America has supported in Southern Nevada. Bank of America has supported Habitat’s work for more than 25 years, and employees contribute more than 30,000 volunteer hours annually to help rehab and build homes.
Candlelighters Evening of Hope honors local family
An Evening of Hope, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada’s largest fundraiser, will take place at the World Market Center, at 495 S. Grand Central Parkway, 16th floor at Worldview, at 6 p.m. March 6.
Each year, Candlelighters recognizes one or more of its beneficiaries for their courage, strength and spirit in fighting childhood cancer and other companies or individuals for their contribution and support in fighting the disease.
The 2015 Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Shine Award will be presented to the Hammond family and their adopted son Taylor, 8, who was diagnosed with a rare hybrid form of T-cell and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He is on a waiting list for a bone marrow transplant. His leukemia is so rare that doctors have seen only three other cases throughout their careers. With a bone marrow transplant, Taylor’s chance of survival is 60 percent. Because of his mixed ethnicity, he faces a 1 in 17 million chance of finding a match.
The Hammond family has six adopted children, all from different foster care situations. Along with Taylor, Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada also will be honored for its commitment to children with life-threatening diseases, including childhood cancer.
One of the evening’s highlights is the Children’s Art Gallery, which features photography and modern art.
Southwest Gas’ Fuel for Life aids Catholic Charities
Southwest Gas Corp. recently presented a check for $85,963 to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. Employees helped raise the funds through their Fuel For Life campaign, a workplace giving campaign.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is one of the largest nonprofit social-service providers in the state. The organization provides more than 20 services and programs designed to help people of all ages.
CCSN’s mission aims to provide services based on basic Catholic teachings of charity and social justice and serves all Southern Nevadans, regardless of race, religion or creed.
Corks &Kegs to raise funds for foundation
The 2nd annual Corks &Kegs wine and craft beer tasting fundraiser for the Nevada Health Care Association Perry Foundation will take place at Silverton Casino at 5 p.m. March 21.
All proceeds will benefit the foundation’s effort to improve the quality of care in Nevada’s nursing homes and post-acute care facilities by providing continued education for health care professionals.
The foundation recognizes the top three performing nursing homes in Southern Nevada using the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services “18 Quality Measurements.” These “Endeavor Awards” for Nevada’s elite health care contributors will be presented in a VIP event preceding Corks &Kegs from 3 to 5 p.m.
Last year, the Perry Foundation awarded more than 1,000 continuing education units to licensed administrators, executive directors and nurses throughout Nevada. The foundation has provided in-house education and training for health care facilities and communities.
Nevada moved up 17 spots — from 43rd to 26th in 2014’s “Nursing Home Report Card” by the Families for Better Care. This ranking makes Nevada the “most improved” state.
Tickets are $45 through March 20 and $55 after and can be purchased at www.silvertoncasino.com.
NV Energy, foundation give $5.1 million to groups
NV Energy and the NV Energy Foundation donated more than $5.1 million last year to support nearly 500 nonprofits statewide.
NV Energy provides funds to nonprofit organizations in its service territory that support public education, protection of the environment, youth development, arts and multicultural outreach, and health and human services.
Grants and sponsorships were given to 260 Southern Nevada nonprofits, including the I Have A Dream Foundation, Communities in Schools Nevada, Red Rock Search and Rescue and Nevada Veterans Foundation.
Compiled by Chanelle Hayes
