United Way of Southern Nevada

United Way of Southern Nevada Earns National Recognition for Major Gifts in 2008-09 - United Way of Southern Nevada

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

June 29, 2009- United Way of America has honored United Way of Southern Nevada with the 2008-09 Population Category Fleur-de-Lis Award for �Highest Percentage of Tocqueville Gift Increases Above 10 Percent.�

The distinction recognizes United Way of Southern Nevada, among the more than 1,300 local United Way�s across the country, as earning a significant increase in major gifts donations among their Tocqueville Society members, who contribute $10,000 or more to the organization annually.

�Our Tocqueville Society members are truly committed to the growth and betterment of this community, as seen by their generous increase in gifts in our 2008-09 fundraising cycle,� said Beth Miller, vice president of major gifts for United Way of Southern Nevada. �We currently have more than 50 members at the Tocqueville level � contributing $10,000 or more annually to our organization � and our increase in membership coupled with the existing members� generosity has earned us national recognition.�

Chaired by Howard Puterman, vice president and general manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, United Way of Southern Nevada recently held its Annual Tocqueville Society Dinner, during which it honored Tocqueville Society members Jim and Judy Kropid for their philanthropic contributions.

For information about becoming a member of Tocqueville Society, contact Beth Miller, vice president, major gifts at BethM@uwsn.org or 702-892-2317.

United Way AmeriCorps Volunteer Receives �2009 Spirit of Service� Award - United Way of Southern Nevada

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

United Way of Southern Nevada AmeriCorps volunteer Zenaida Solano received the Corporation for National and Community Service�s �2009 Spirit of Service� award during the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, June 22 - 24, 2009 in San Francisco, Calif.

Solano was recognized for serving with exceptional service and leadership as a cultural liaison at Nye County School District�s Even Start and Family Literacy Program.

�Zenaida Solano is a valuable community resource and has vast knowledge of the needs of the Hispanic population,� said United Way�s Volunteer Center Director Robin Kelley. �As one example of her unyielding dedication, she provided direct translation services to 600 additional clients than her original goal of 100 clients in only her first six months of service.�

As a cultural liaison, Solano provides translation services, increases awareness regarding available community services, recruits community volunteers, and conducts English-as-a-Second-Language courses. Due to her dedication and assistance, many children in need have received immunizations to enter kindergarten and local parents have received helpful tools to help their children become successful in school.

In addition, Solano took the initiative to create a service directory that helps participants obtain jobs, and she became a certified tax preparer to help low income families complete their taxes and receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. She has also advocated for clients� medical rights and helped them to receive critical medical assistance.

United Way of Southern Nevada�s Volunteer Center trained Solano and 19 other AmeriCorps members to work closely with nonprofit organizations to meet the community�s most pressing needs.

To learn more about how Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada engages community members to work hand-in-hand with nonprofit organizations to foster a strong, vibrant southern Nevada, visit VolunteercenterSN.org.

United Way Puts $5 Million Into Southern Nevadans� Pockets - United Way of Southern Nevada

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

United Way of Southern Nevada, through its �Earn It Keep It Save It� collaborative, was responsible for more than $5 million in local tax refunds this season. From January through April 2009, �Earn It Keep It Save It� provided complimentary tax preparation to 4,229 working individuals or families making under $42,000 per year, and the refunds resulting from this service went directly into the pockets of southern Nevadans.

�To families that make less than $42,000 a year, a tax refund of thousands can make a life-altering difference,� said Steven Horsford, �Earn It Keep It Save It� volunteer chair and Nevada Senate Majority Leader. �We are thrilled to help hardworking, low-income families pay their bills, feed their children and maybe even stay in their homes or apartments.�

During the 2008-09 tax season United Way helped return $5 million in total tax refunds, including $1,142,777 in Earned Income Tax Credits, through IRS-certified volunteers at 20 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Clark County.

For more information about United Way�s �Earn It Keep It Save It� collaborative, visit www.uwsn.org/EITC.

�Earn It Keep It Save It� Partners

Amalgamated Bank � Bank of America � Bank of George � Bank of Nevada � Bob Rudd Community Center, Pahrump � Cambridge Recreation Center, Clark County Parks & Recreation Department � CHR, Inc. � Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. � City of Henderson � City of Las Vegas � Neighborhood Services & Doolittle Senior Community Center � City of North Las Vegas � College of Southern Nevada � Community Bank of Nevada � Community Services of Nevada � Doc Pearson Community Center, Clark County Parks & Recreation Department � Excalibur Hotel & Casino � Goodwill of Southern Nevada � HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. � HELP of Southern Nevada � HopeLink � Housing Authority of the County of Clark, Nevada � Internal Revenue Service � Las Vegas � Clark County Urban League � Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce � Las Vegas Indian Center � Latin Chamber of Commerce � National Federation of Filipino-American Associations � Nevada Federal Credit Union � Nevada HAND � Nevada Partners � Nevada Society of Enrolled Agents, Southern Chapter � Nevada State Bank � USAA Savings Bank � United Labor Agency of Nevada � United Way of Southern Nevada � University of Nevada Las Vegas � Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada � Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

United Way Honors Volunteers of �Earn It Keep It Save It� Collaborative Program - United Way of Southern Nevada

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

On May 20, United Way�s Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada recognized its hardworking volunteers, who contributed to the success of the 2009 �Earn It Keep It Save It� tax assistance program. United Way thanked its community partners�Bank of America; Bank of George; Bank of Nevada; Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.; Community Bank of Nevada; HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.; Nevada State Bank; USAA Savings Bank; Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.; Wal-mart Foundation; and Internal Revenue Service, SPEC�for funding the collaborative for the 2008 tax year (2009 filing season). It also honored Silvina Gimenez as the �Volunteer of the Year� and recognized its honorary chairman Nevada State Senator Steven Horsford for his support throughout the program.

For more information on this event or to find a volunteer opportunity in your area, visit the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada at http://www.volunteercentersn.org/.

United Way AmeriCorps Member Receives �2009 AmeriCorps Member of the Year� Award - United Way of Southern Nevada

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

United Way of Southern Nevada AmeriCorps member Maria Para-Sandoval received the National Service Awards Committee�s �2009 AmeriCorps Member of the Year� award. Para-Sandoval was recognized by Nevada�s First Lady Dawn Gibbons for her service as Volunteer Liaison at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, during the �Conversation on Volunteering� at Nevada Partners on May 13, 2009.

United Way of Southern Nevada�s Volunteer Center trained Para-Sandoval and 20 other AmeriCorps members to work closely with non-profit organizations to meet the community�s most pressing needs.

�Through Para-Sandoval�s leadership and dedication, she has inspired volunteers to provide pro-bono legal services to those who need it most,� said United Way of Southern Nevada�s Volunteer Center Director Robin Kelley.

Para-Sandoval recruited 75 new volunteers and as a result 491 new pro-bono clients were matched with volunteer attorneys, a 10 percent increase over the previous year.

To learn more about how Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada engages community members to work hand-in-hand with nonprofit organizations to foster a strong and vibrant southern Nevada, visit volunteercentersn.org.

United Way�s Women�s Leadership Council Reaches Milestone with 100th Member - United Way of Southern Nevada

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The Women�s Leadership Council, a program benefiting United Way of Southern Nevada, has reached its 2009 membership goal of 100 influential affiliates. The milestone represents a 245 percent membership increase since its inception only one year ago.

�United Way�s mission of creating lasting change and improving lives has deeply resonated with an overwhelming number of our community�s executive professional and philanthropic women, who have responded in record-breaking numbers over the past year,� stated Beth Miller, United Way�s vice president, major gifts. �We are thrilled to have reached our goal, and to do so two months ahead of our expected timing really illustrates a strong commitment to philanthropy from this community.�

Keeping its members engaged, the Women�s Leadership Council has organized many impactful events this year. So far in 2009, The Women�s Leadership Council held its inaugural Women�s Leadership Luncheon at Caesars Palace. The event featured keynote speaker Marilyn Winn and honored three outstanding female leaders: Carolyn Goodman, Dr. Florence Jameson, and Selma Bartlett. The Women�s Leadership Council also recently collected more than 2,000 women�s suits and professional clothing and donated them to local women�s shelters and Goodwill Career Connections to benefit women in need.

For more information about becoming a member of the Women�s Leadership Council, contact Beth Miller, vice president, major gifts at bethm@uwsn.org or 702-892-2317.

8 On Your Side Help Fair to Again Assist Families in Need Thursday, May 14 - United Way of Southern Nevada

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The FREE fairs help direct Nevadans affected by the economic slowdown to the local resources that can offer relief

KLAS-TV and the Community Pride partners, in collaboration with United Way of Southern Nevada, will hold another 8 On Your Side Help Fair to connect Nevadans with local resources that can provide assistance during this time of need.

�At the last two 8 On Your Side Fairs, we were able to help over 2,000 Southern Nevada families from all over the valley with their housing, financial, employment and legal needs,� said Emily Neilson, general manager of KLAS-TV. �We hope even more families in need come out to the May fair to learn of all the resources available to lend a hand during these difficult times.�

Informational services that will be made available include government benefits, healthcare, food, financial services, workforce development and housing, utility and rental assistance. In addition, Southern Nevada Health District will be providing no-cost childhood immunizations onsite to eligible children; parents must bring their child�s immunization records with them to the fair. Additional agencies that will take part include:

Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT)
United Labor Agency of Nevada (ULAN)
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Nevada 2-1-1
HELP of Southern Nevada
Nevada Job Connect
Nevada State Welfare Division
Clark County Social Service
College of Southern Nevada
Nevada Health Centers
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
Nevada Covering Kids & Families
WIC Representation
Food Stamp Representation

The 8 On Your Side Help Fair will be held Thursday, May 14, from noon until 4:30 p.m. It will take place at the Heinrich YMCA at 4141 Meadows Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89107. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

"Through our longstanding partnership with KLAS we have been able to improve the lives of Southern Nevadan citizens,� said Dan Goulet, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada. "We are also grateful to our local community organizations that make critical community events such as these possible."

United Way of Southern Nevada joins forces with the Community Pride Partners that include NV Energy and McDonald�s.

Additional fairs throughout the year will also take place at the Heinrich YMCA August 11, and November 5. For further information, please visit their website at http://www.lasvegasnow.com/, (keyword: 8 on your side) or call Michelle Layton-Berg at 702-792-8828.

United Way Partners to Help Feed Southern Nevada Families - United Way of Southern Nevada

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT

United Way of Southern Nevada is partnering with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and United Labor Agency of Nevada to help ensure that the nation�s largest food drive held on May 9, 2009 reaches its southern Nevada goal of collecting more than 1 million pounds of food.

�In this tough economy we are seeing thousands of people in southern Nevada who work and have a home, but are still hungry,� said Dan Goulet, president and CEO, United Way of Southern Nevada. �As more working families go without proper nutrition, they�re counting on our support and this program will put food back on the tables of those in need.�

The NALC National Food Drive to �Stamp Out Hunger� is held annually on the second Saturday in May in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

All residents of southern Nevada are encouraged to gather nonperishable food and either drop the items off at local post offices or place them in bags, cans or boxes, in or near their mailbox, group mailbox or mailroom. Letter carriers from across the Valley will pick up the items on May 9.

Canned, plastic, or paper containers of food such as soups, peanut butter, rice, pasta, beans, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, and vegetables are needed. Additional items like paper goods, toilet paper, diapers, and baby food are also in demand.

Hundreds of local charities will receive the food collected including Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, United Labor Agency of Nevada (ULAN), St. Jude�s Ranch for Children and many other local churches and charities.

United Way�s Annual Tocqueville Society Dinner Honors Distinguished Members - United Way of Southern Nevada

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT

United Way of Southern Nevada thanks its major donors for their commitment to initiating lasting community change at the 2009 Annual Tocqueville Society Dinner, honoring James and Judy Kropid, on May 7 at Cili Restaurant at Bali Hai Golf Club.

�Especially in these difficult economic times, it�s powerful to see that philanthropy is flourishing within our Tocqueville Society,� said Beth Miller, vice president of major gifts for United Way of Southern Nevada. �Honorees James and Judy Kropid have stepped up their contributions and volunteer efforts to assist United Way with our goal of creating lasting change in the areas of education, income, health and immediate needs.�

Both James and Judy lead by example with their deep commitment to volunteerism and the spirit of philanthropy. James Kropid, president of James Kropid Investments and chairman of the board of Southwest Gas Corporation, has served as United Way�s Interim Director and continues to serve as a board member, executive committee member and Tocqueville Society member. His wife Judy is currently co-chair and founding board member of United Way�s Women�s Leadership Council as well as a Tocqueville Society member.

The Annual Tocqueville Society Dinner is a members only event that honors individuals or couples who invest $10,000 or more each year through United Way. The Tocqueville Society is comprised of Las Vegas� leading philanthropists, who collectively have invested more than $1.4 million during United Way�s 2008-2009 campaign, helping the nonprofit reach its record-breaking results of $13.4 million this season.

Since 2005, Howard Puterman, vice president and general manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car has voluntarily chaired United Way of Southern Nevada�s Tocqueville Society.

About Tocqueville Society
Tocqueville Society, initiated by United Way of America in March 1984, is designed to deepen the understanding, commitment and support of individuals to their local United Ways and to recognize their deep commitment to service. The name Tocqueville Society was chosen because of Alexis de Tocqueville�s admiration for the spirit of voluntary association and voluntary effort for the common good. Currently there are more than 398 local Tocqueville Societies in communities across the United States. Last year, these societies raised more than $400 million from more than 20,000 individuals nationwide. Members of the Tocqueville Society work and meet with the community�s top business, civic and philanthropic leaders who are focused on building the social infrastructure of today and the future of tomorrow. They also receive special invitations to social events during the year as well as unique, exclusive networking opportunities.

For information about becoming a member of Tocqueville Society, contact Beth Miller, vice president, major gifts at BethM@uwsn.org or 702-892-2317.

2009 Letter Carriers Food Drive - United Way of Southern Nevada

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDT