Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation has committed nearly $900,000 to organizations offering innovative programs that educate, motivate and encourage Nevada’s residents to lead healthier lives. In 2015, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its foundation teamed with various organizations including the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and Safe Routes to School National Partnership to bring unique educational programs to the state, such as the Fire Up Your Feet program, which encourages physical activity among Clark County School District students. Other Nevada grants included $25,000 to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada to support its efforts to provide fresh produce at mobile food pantry locations.
Simmons Group donates $35k to organizations
Simmons Group has donated a total of $35,000, as well as 300-plus hours of its employees’ time, to organizations that help those in need. Owner Ann Simmons Nicholson and managing partner Amy Hunter also serve on a number of non-profit boards, including those for the Core Academy, Keep it Alive Foundation, Global Gaming Women and Noah’s Animal House, an animal shelter that protects the pets of domestic abuse victims. The Simmons Group team provides strategic planning for their clients, human resources, training, talent management, coaching and development services.
Some of the organizations to receive donations from the Simmons Group in 2015 include the CORE Academy, Communities in Schools of Nevada, Keep it Alive Foundation, KNPR, Shade Tree, Southern Nevada Children First, Three Square, Noah’s Animal House, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Children’s Heart Foundation, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, JDRF Nevada, National Hemophilia Foundation, the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind, and United Way of Southern Nevada.
Walk with the Heart of a Child returns for 13th year
With the hope of raising both awareness and funding to fight what can be a deadly pediatric disease, Children’s Heart Foundation will stage its 13th annual Walk with the Heart of a Child, Feb. 27 at Fashion Show Mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. This fun walk allows participants to celebrate the young lives affected by congenital heart defects. Each year, over 40,000 children in the United States are born with a congenital heart defect, and these defects are the leading cause of illness and death in the first year of life. The event will begin at 7 a.m. with registration, entertainment, raffles and the popular Kids Zone; the walk will start at 8 a.m. Online registration is available at walkwithheart.kintera.org/chfn. $25, adults; $15 for virtual walkers (those who cannot attend the event or physically participate), active-duty military, students and seniors.
Bank of Nevada employees created brighter holiday for families
More than 300 toys were donated by employees at the Bank of Nevada’s annual holiday party. The collected toys were delivered to the KLUC/Chet Buchanan toy drive, held at the NV Energy building at West Sahara, and were later distributed to deserving families. In addition, 15 families who are clients of Southern Nevada Children First were “adopted” by bank employees. Each family received several bags full of toys and other gifts during a special holiday event Dec. 17. Bank of Nevada also donated $1,200 to SNCF, which provides educational, mentoring and social service assistance for homeless, pregnant and parenting youth.
PT’s Entertainment Group donates to toy drive
PT’s Entertainment Group has donated $35,000 and dropped off hundreds of bikes and toys to 98.5 KLUC’s 17th annual Chet Buchanan & The Morning Zoo Toy Drive. The donation was a result of Golden Entertainment’s 9th annual golf tournament, in addition to contributions received from its guests. For the third year, all 46 southern Nevada locations of PT’s, Sean Patrick’s and Sierra Gold made it convenient for locals to stop by one of their neighborhood taverns and drop off gifts, including gift cards and monetary donations. Contributions benefit HELP of Southern Nevada, which in turn distributes toys to more than 50 local youth organizations.
Surprise donation helps Pets of the Homeless
Pier Construction & Development has donated $5,000 to Pets of the Homeless. The check, which will go to the emergency care program open to homeless people across the country who do not have the resources to take their suffering pets to a veterinary hospital, was a welcome surprise to the national nonprofit foundation.
Southern Nevada Public Television to host event
Southern Nevada Public Television will host its 27th annual “Splendor in the Glass” Wine & Beer Tasting event 3 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Westgate Ballroom. The annual event benefits programming and community outreach initiatives for Vegas PBS. Chef Grant MacPherson of Scotch Myst Global Food & Beverage Consulting will offer a cooking demonstration. Patrons may sample from a wide variety of wines and beers from more than 60 wineries and breweries courtesy of Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada. Festivities will include entertainment by Woody Woods Jazz Combo. $85, advance purchase; $100 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased online at VegasPBS.org/winetasting, at the Vegas PBS Educational Technology Campus at 3050 E. Flamingo Road, or at any Lee’s Discount Liquor, Total Wine & More and Whole Foods Market. 21 years or older. For more information, call 702-799-1010, ext. 5344.
City National volunteers, donates
City National employees recently volunteered at the Assistance League of Las Vegas to help disadvantaged students through the organization’s Operation School Bell program. Colleagues from the bank helped outfit more than 60 elementary kids with brand new clothes, jackets, shoes, personal hygiene kits and books. The bank also presented the Assistance League with a $1,000 donation as part of this volunteer effort.
Also, City National announced it has collected hundreds of personal and household items to be donated to Safe Nest, in its efforts to help domestic violence victims in Southern Nevada. City National’s support of the nonprofit organization is part of a bank-wide initiative to help the growing homeless population. Safe Nest’s programs are concentrated in four areas of service, advocacy, counseling, prevention and shelter. The goal of Safe Nest is to assist families from crisis to healing, while empowering victims toward self-sufficiency in violence-free lives. For more information about Safe Nest, go to safenest.org.
Tournament to benefit summer camp
Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation will stage the Kickin’ it for Cartwheel kickball tournament 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Arroyo Grande Sports Complex, 298 N. Arroyo Grande Blvd., Henderson. All proceeds from this newly-launched event will benefit Camp Cartwheel, a supervised, overnight camp experience for children diagnosed with cancer or other life- threatening illnesses. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Camp Cartwheel, which provides more than 200 campers, ages five through 17, the chance to form positive relationships, develop greater independence and self-esteem, and have the opportunity to feel like a healthy child. Groups, companies and individuals, ages 15 and above, are invited to register a team (by Feb. 15) and compete in the kickball tournament. Teams must consist of a minimum of 10 people ($250 team registration fee) and a maximum of 12 people ($300 team registration fee) with an equal number of men and women team members. For more information and to register a team for Kickin’ it for Cartwheel, call the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, 702-735-8434 or visit nvccf.org.
ACLU to celebrate 50th anniversary
American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada is celebrating 50 years of public service with a 50th anniversary gala at 6 p.m., June 11, at the Wynn. The gala will include dinner, a silent auction, entertainment and a VIP ticket option that includes a one-hour cocktail reception with Nevada and national VIPs. Individuals and organizations from across the state will be honored and recognized at the event for dedicating their efforts to protecting civil rights and liberties for all. The ACLUNV is accepting nominations from the public for those who have shown a commitment and passion for the ACLU’s four pillars, democracy, equality, liberty and justice. Nominations may be made online at aclunv.org/50thAnniversary through Feb. 19. Event tickets $250 per person; VIP tickets are $350.
Salvation Army receives gift from Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas has concluded its 2015 Fuel For Life employee giving program, and among the charities getting assistance is the Salvation Army. This is the third year Southwest Gas has contributed to the Salvation Army, and this year’s contribution is the largest yet at $45,377. The Salvation Army serves the region through the operation of 16 facilities and 20 programs, with the mission of serving those in need without discrimination or judgement. In 2015, 18,000 families received assistance, 6,000 children were given Christmas toys, 2,700 children were given back-to-school supplies, 1,300 meals were served each day, 300 lives were freed from addictions through adult rehabilitation programs, and 2,000 veterans found support.
Smith’s supports Ronald McDonald House
All participating Smith’s locations are hosting an annual food drive for Ronald McDonald House Charities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. Volunteers will be distributing a food drive wish list and assisting shoppers in making their donations. More than 250 volunteers make this food drive possible. This is the 15th year Smith’s has supported the Ronald McDonald House annual food drive, which stocks the shelves with non-perishable food items, paper products and cleaning supplies. In 2015, more than 18,000 pounds of food and more than $13,000 in cash was donated. The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas provides a haven for families traveling here to receive medical treatment for their children.
Affinity Gaming donates $5k to American Heart Association
In honor of American Heart Month in February, Affinity Gaming’s Silver Sevens will be raising awareness and funds to help prevent cardiovascular disease, kicking off with a $5,000 donation to the American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, is the number one cause of death among American men and women. In addition to the donation, Silver Sevens will light its marquee red for the month.
