Santa Claus WAS in Town! (Town Square that is...)

Looking at Town Square from the freeway, the sight appeared monotonous.  However, I already knew that wasn’t the case.  As my son, two friends who made the trek from California and I pulled into the parking lot, we saw a family, all of which were dressed as Santa Claus.  I turned around and saw another family, this one with a dog, all of whom were also dressed as Santa Claus.  We got out of our vehicle and raced to the congregation area to check in and retrieve our own Santa Claus costumes.  Ah, The Great Las Vegas Santa Run had finally arrived!

The Great Las Vegas Santa Run is an annual event hosted by Opportunity Village.  The event is simple.  You can either participate in a 5K run or a 1-mile walk.  Nothing strenuous, just a fun run.  Local bands entertained the crowd and Mayor Goodman offered words of praise to the organization and words of encouragement to the participants.  The Fox 5 News team was present to air from the event and kick the run itself off.

We chose to partake in the 5K course.  The course was simple; three 1-mile loops around Town Square wearing a Santa Claus costume.  As an added bonus, participants have the opportunity to register with the Guinness Book of World Records in an attempt to dethrone the Irish for the “largest gathering of Santa Claus” held since 2007.  Our Santa’s came in all sizes from adults to infant children.  The courses are also easy enough for children to be pushed along in strollers throughout the course.

Overall, the event was a great one.  Simply put, it’s a gathering of individuals in a fun, festive environment who are dedicated to helping change the lives of Opportunity Village’s clients.  The primary idea behind the event is to raise money and awareness for the programs offered by the not-for-profit organization.  Opportunity Village focuses their efforts on those with intellectual disabilities.  They provide vocational rehabilitation, social events, and employment services for thousands of clients annually while fulfilling the clients’ sense of belonging within the greater community.

~ Jason

If you're interested in volunteering with Opportunity Village click HERE for a list of their available opportunities.

Also don't miss out on Opportunity Village's Magical Forest:

The Magical Forest is celebrating its 19th year of providing holiday joy to the Las Vegas community. More than 150,000 people visit the Forest every year, basking in the glow of more than three million lights on hundreds of decorated trees, riding the Forest Express passenger train, taking a spin on the Carousel and visiting with the Man in Red himself.

Click HERE for more details, directions and to see some pictures.  Bring your family and friends and check out this annual tradition.

Homelessness is a circumstance, not a choice

“I have a [college] degree, but so do thousands of others in this city. What I don’t have is a job; therefore, I don’t have income and now I don’t have a house.”

This is just one of the many stories I heard during the Project Homeless Connect event on November 10. Listening to this one client’s story helped me realize that I could be the next homeless person receiving services, rather than the next volunteer in line to escort this client to her destination to receive service. Walking around Cashman Center and seeing all of the businesses and organizations that came out to help was an overwhelming experience. There were quite a few services provided that day, including: dental, cosmetology, social services, free clothing, food, health… the list goes on and on.

I had the awesome pleasure of working with the volunteers, clients and service providers, so I was able to gain a much greater understanding and appreciation for the event and what inspired everyone to come out. Stories on how people became homeless, stories from volunteers regarding how they feel that they might be next because they have been unemployed for months and stories from service providers how this is a passion and why they are in the field they’re in, which is to help whoever they can, whenever they can.

My story… my volunteer experience started as a job requirement and quickly became a reality check. No one is untouchable. Homelessness is ignorant and blind. Homelessness does not know gender, age, ethnicity or heritage. However, homelessness is only someone’s situation, it is NOT who they are. Out of all the stories I heard, not once did I hear someone say they chose to be homeless. Homelessness is just a circumstance that happened to the hundreds of people served that day.

The overall volunteer experience was extremely worthwhile and I would encourage any and everyone to volunteer in some capacity. By doing something as small as donating one clothing item that you no longer wear to someone in need, spending time at nursing home or cleaning your neighborhood park, you are making a big difference in someone’s life.

A big thanks to our guest blogger Kalah who is also participating as an AmeriCorps VISTA member.  Kalah was a part of the Volunteer Center team checking in volunteers for the Project Homeless Connect event.  We hope she'll share more of her experiences with us here so check back to see what new adventures are happening in southern Nevada!

If you are interested in sharing your time and talents in a way that can benefit the homeless click HERE to see the opportunities that are currently available.

Learn a New Skill = Help Those in Need!

Ever wanted to learn how to prepare those pesky IRS tax returns? 

Are you free to help families between January and April 2011? 

Do you enjoy volunteering in diverse environments? 

If you answered YES to any of those questions come to the Earn It Keep It Save It Open house! Learn about the program and the exciting volunteer opportunities we have available during the tax season. All of your questions will be answered by Earn It Keep It Save It Collaborative members and you can choose your training date and time on site!

Returning volunteers are encouraged to come and share their experience with new volunteers.  Fantastic prizes will be raffled off to returning volunteers who attend the open house AND bring a potential new volunteer. 

Help make a difference this tax season! See you at the Open House.

For more info and to sign up to attend visit our homepage at www.VolunteerCenterSN.org.
You can also download a printable flier with all the details HERE.

WRRP - Wellness, Redemption & Rehabilitation Program

"The Wellness, Redemption, & Rehabilitation Program (WRRP), Inc. does not support the persecution of formerly incarcerated people. Rather, we believe that we should not wait for people (youth or adults) to justify returning to incarceration when we can mitigate that and in turn reduce the amount of people that become victims of crime." - Cornel Horn, Founder, WRRP, Inc.

Unfortunately, the statistics concerning convicted felons in the state of Nevada are alarming. 58% of inmates enter the system without having completed high school or GED and 78% of inmates have minimal job skills training. Both factors considerably reduce the chance any person would have at obtaining suitable employment in an already stressed economy. This is where WRRP, Inc. steps in. The ultimate objective of the organization is twofold. Their direct relationship is with ex-offenders to provide an information avenue for rehabilitative services so repeat offenses are minimized. Their indirect relationship is with potential victims of criminal activity and the logic is simple: educate offenders and rehabilitate to turn into productive members of society while promoting and maintaining a safe community for potential victims.

I was afforded the distinct opportunity to sit in on a WRRP, Inc. Board of Directors meeting and was pleasantly surprised at the rate at which the organization is growing. Federal grants to combat veteran homelessness are looming, fundraising activities are in the works, and formerly incarcerated people are being employed. Factor in the passion of the organizations founder and the eagerness of the board members to make a difference in the local community and WRRP, Inc. is paving the path to success. A success that affects our lives, directly or indirectly.

~ Jason

To volunteer with WRRP click HERE to see the available opportunities to volunteer!  If the time/dates don't work for you there are many other opportunities that need volunteers.  Visit www.VolunteerCenterSN.org to find the right opportunity for you today!

You can also view information about WRRP and client testimonials on their YouTube channel HERE.

Helping Heroes

Join us in commemorating September 11th by honoring our veterans. This year, our project will be to create positive change for our homeless veterans. Help us clean their living facility, paint spaces, play games and interact with the veterans, and record a piece of their history. Volunteers will be invited to join the vets for a barbecue lunch and receive a ticket to the Springs Preserves for their efforts.

Go to VolunteerCenterSN.org to sign up!

Sharing Soup with a Smile

5:00 AM on Friday and my alarm clock is going off. I climb out of bed, yawn, and grumble slightly as I realize that I won’t be back in bed for several hours. I smell my coffee brewing and begin getting ready as my son, who is 10-years-old, walks out of his room doing the same. The attitude quickly changes as I remember why we’re up this early.

At 6:00 AM, we arrive at the Christensen House and, amid the hasty movement of the rest of the crew, begin carrying industrial sized pots to the trailer along with necessary cutlery and condiments. Once the trailer is fully loaded, a quick prayer is recited by those who choose to participate and we begin our short journey to an empty dirt lot. At roughly 6:30 AM, Soup and a Smile is set up and in full effect. Hundreds of homeless and hungry in the area are accustomed to the free meal offered every Wednesday through Saturday. The time nor place does not change. The majority of the customers are regulars and we greet and are greeted with smiles and friendly words. Gratitude is prominently displayed by those receiving the meals, many of whom are military veterans, elderly, and folks who are victims of our current economic crisis. They’re good people, just down on their luck.

There are various stations to assist with aside from serving the main dish such as serving bread, desserts, napkins, and clean towels. Our first time working with the crew, my son and I were given simple tasks so we could stay close to each other. I was passing out jalapenos and he was passing out paper towels. As we began learning the ropes and my son became confident with working the ladle, we moved to serving the main meal, which was spaghetti today. Some of the folks we recognize strike up conversations and my son beamed when he saw a gentleman who consistently offers him quotes of wisdom. “Dad, look who it is!” he exclaimed as this gentleman began telling a fable of a dragon who wouldn’t listen to his parents.

Contrary to what many people believe, they don’t all feel sorry for themselves and aren’t simply looking for a handout. In fact, many are content and even happy with their life and are joyful to be where they are at. Some talk about jobs they have recently applied to, others about sports transactions. The conversations buzzing around us are friendly and mimic those of childhood acquaintances. Before we know it, the meal is gone and the crowd has dispersed.

By 7:00 AM, we are cleaned up and those who choose to leave, can. This is when we usually leave for school and work. The others head back to the Christensen House to wash the dishes. Altogether, dishes included, it’s an hour and half of the day. My son and I have spent more time than that glued to the television set.

Soup and a Smile is definitely a prime volunteer opportunity. It’s more than serving the needy a warm meal; it’s a time for problems to be set aside and cordial conversation to be had. Volunteers and customers alike engage in friendly interaction.

This is definitely one of my top choices to help the needy in the Las Vegas valley. And their appreciation certainly humbles the servers as well. Soup and a Smile has definitely alerted me to the harsh reality of hunger in the valley and my own selfishness is suppressed more so with every visit. Since initially volunteering with Soup and a Smile, I’ve also noticed differences in my son. From our conversations, I gather that he’s growing up and recognizing that life isn’t all peaches. There is a cold world out there and it’s on us, all of us, to ensure the needs of humanity are met. Take a look at world-renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and understand that all five theoretical stages are fulfilled by Soup and a Smile, as brief as it may be.

~ Jason

If you'd like to experience Soup and a Smile click HERE to get details and to sign up.  If the time/dates don't work for you there are many other opportunities that need volunteers.  Visit www.VolunteerCenterSN.org to find the right opportunity for you today!

Welcome Our Newest Blogger!

We'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our blog team Jason!  He brings some great experiences to our team and we can't wait to hear about his adventures in volunteering.

Tell us about you?:  I am an 8-year veteran of the US Air Force who is now employed in the gaming industry as a network engineer for wide area progressive slot machines. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree from Park University in Information Systems Management and I’m currently a graduate student in the schools MBA distance learning program. I also have a 10-year-old son who attends the majority of volunteer opportunities with me.

How long have you been a part of the southern Nevada community?:  I moved to southern Nevada in December 2006 on orders from the Air Force. Upon my separation from active duty, I decided to make Las Vegas my permanent residence.

What types of volunteer opportunities have you participated in?:  I have participated in roughly 6 volunteer opportunities over the past two months. My typical agency is the Las Vegas Catholic Workers Soupline program (which I found through your website!) and I have made it a habit to participate at least weekly.  I’m also not sure if this qualifies as a volunteer opportunity, but I typically find a fundraising or awareness distance run and participate in those. A few that I have completed are the Ronald McDonald House 5k, the Fight for a Cure 5k, and the LVPD DARE 5k.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering?:  What I enjoy most about volunteering is the gratitude of those who are helped. It really brings those who are fortunate back to reality so we can appreciate the small things that we regularly take for granted.

Where is your favorite place to eat in town?:  I love food which makes it difficult to name one place. In my opinion, different restaurants excel at different dishes so it really depends on what I’m in the mood for and what I order. Overall, I think Pepe’s Tacos is one of the best places I’ve eaten here. 

What do you like most about the community?:  I like the closeness of the Southern Nevada community! In all honesty, when I initially received orders to come here, I wasn’t exactly thrilled because Las Vegas is displayed as a gambling, party city with crime levels to match. A few months later, I was gladly proven wrong. Every neighbor I’ve ever had has been awesome and the people I’ve met around town have been just as splendid! Anytime a helping hand was needed, I’ve seen people ready and willing to make a sacrifice for others.