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Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

HOSPITAL SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help at its facility. For more information, contact marketing director Naomi Jones at 702-853-3308 or naomi.jones@uhsinc.com.

SOLARI HOSPICE OFFERING GRIEF SUPPORT

The holidays can be a hard time for those grieving the loss of a loved one. To help individuals find healthy ways to heal and cope, Solari Hospice Care offers two free ongoing weekly grief support groups from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays in the Solari Hospice Care Administrative Building, 5550 S. Jones Blvd. All members of the public are invited to attend. For more information or to register, call Chris Kopoew, bereavement counselor, at 702-870-0000.

STAY AT HOME FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT EASTER SEALS

Retire your cocktail attire and stay home this December to benefit Easter Seals Nevada and its mission to serve more than 7,000 Nevadans living with disabilities. On Thursday, Easter Seals is hosting Nevada's second Stay at Home Gala, a charitable event you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

Purchase a $35 "un-ticket" and spend the evening at home with friends and family, and you'll be eligible to win a door prize. Tickets can be purchased at stayathomegala.org.

HEALTH COMPANY DONATES TO LOCAL VETERANS

Humana donated more than 350 knitted caps, scarves and afghans to U.S. Vets-Las Vegas, 525 E. Bonanza Road, Nov. 30. The items were knitted and crocheted by the Humana Charity Crafters. The group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays at 1000 N. Green Valley Parkway in Henderson and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at 8975 W. Charleston Blvd. The group is open to anyone, and all materials are provided free by Humana. For more information, visit humana.com.

WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA, HELP A CHARITY

Residents throughout the Las Vegas Valley can write a letter to Santa Claus and drop it off at the Santa letterbox at any valley Macy's store to benefit Make-A-Wish of Southern Nevada. For each stamped letter received, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. Letters can be delivered through Dec. 24.

MEMORIAL FUND TO HELP COVER FORMER WEATHERMAN'S BURIAL COSTS

The ashes of former Las Vegas weatherman John Fredericks, who died Nov. 23, will be placed next to his beloved canine companion, Jordan, at the Craig Road Pet Cemetery, 7450 W. Craig Road, according to the wishes of his family. His name will also be added to Jordan's headstone, along with a photo of John and Jordan. A memorial fund has been set up at Nevada State Bank to help cover Fredericks' burial costs. The account number is 0588016311 and the routing number is 122400779.

Fredericks was Channel 3's morning weatherman from 1995 to 2008. Jordan, a golden retriever, was a presence on the show for many years and accompanied Fredericks as he championed animal causes across the country.

RADIOTHONS TO BENEFIT FOOD BANK

Three Square's Fight Holiday Hunger program is happening through Dec. 31.All cash contributions are to be matched dollar for dollar by partners with the bank.

As part of Fight Holiday Hunger, radiothons are planned from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. For two days, KJUL 104.7 FM is asking listeners to phone in monetary donations. Similar to telethons, various prizes will be offered, such as show tickets and dinners. The call-in number is 702-258-6060, or visit kjul1047.com.

Also, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, X107.5 FM and Ultimate Fighting Championship plan to host a radiothon in the parking lot at Walmart, 7200 Arroyo Crossing Parkway. Morning radio personalities Dave Farra and Jason Mahoney will welcome special on-air guests, including UFC fighters, who will sign autographs and meet with fans. X107.5 will be asking for nonperishable food items and/or cash and check donations.

To make a donation or for more information, visit fightholidayhunger.com or x1075lasvegas.radio.com.

BLM AND SIERRA CLUB MISSION OUTDOORS HOST ESSAY CONTEST

The Bureau of Land Management and Sierra Club Mission Outdoors kicked off its first Veterans Day essay and photo contest centered on the theme "what my public lands mean to me." They encourage veterans, active-duty military and their families to submit photos, essays and video about their memories in America's public lands by Thursday. Through Friday, the public will be able to vote on favorite entries, and the three most popular entries will be featured on the BLM and Sierra Club websites and social media platforms. For more information and to submit an entry, visit mypubliclands.challenge.gov.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET ANNOUNCES GRAB & GIVE PROGRAM

Whole Foods Market has announced its Grab & Give program. Through Dec. 31, shoppers can purchase and donate meals and other essentials for families in need.

Whole Foods Market will allow shoppers to choose to make a donation of $5, $10, $25 or more to provide a full meal for a family of four, including healthy options from Whole Foods Market's 365 Everyday Value line of products.

Additionally, shoppers can make a $5 donation for personal hygiene items.

As donations come in, Whole Foods Market stores will give them to partner nonprofit charities, which will distribute the items to local families in need.

NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE SEEKS DONATIONS THROUGH DEC. 31

Through Dec. 31, nonprofit Nathan Adelson Hospice is accepting donations for families that have gone through the hospice process and seek assistance in their time of need. The Families in Need program assists those patients and families at Nathan Adelson Hospice that might not always be able to afford everyday necessities. The hospice provides care and support to more than 450 patients and families each day as their loved ones make their end-of-life journey.

Among the items are gift cards from Walmart, grocery stores, Babies R Us and Target, as well as gasoline cards. Nonperishables needed include peanut butter, jelly, tuna, spaghetti sauce, dry pasta, soups and non-refrigerator microwaveable items.

Items can be dropped off at any Nathan Adelson location: 4141 Swenson St.; in the MountainView Medical Office Building, 3150 N. Tenaya Way (near Cheyenne Avenue), third floor; and 1401 S. Highway 160, Suite B, in Pahrump. For more information, call Stephanie Forbes at 702-938-3910.

IMPACT LAS VEGAS SEEKS 100 WOMEN TO JOIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Impact Las Vegas, a new Southern Nevada nonprofit group, is seeking 100 women who are motivated to make a difference in the community to join the organization by the end of the year.

Impact Las Vegas is a nonprofit women's giving circle. Membership consists of women who donate $1,000 each year by Dec. 31. Membership donations are pooled from a minimum of 100 members to fund an annual $100,000 grant to a Southern Nevada nonprofit organization in one of five focus areas: culture, education, environment, family or health and wellness.

Once the minimum 100-member threshold is reached, 100 percent of member donations are returned to the community in the form of a grant. In June 2013, Impact Las Vegas members will each cast one vote to determine the nonprofit grant recipient(s) for that year.

For more information or to become a member, visit impact-lv.org or email info@impact-lv.org.

INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE TO DONATE PROCEEDS TO CANCER FOUNDATION

The Range 702, 4699 S. Dean Martin Drive, has announced that it will donate 10 percent of its retail proceeds generated during November and December to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. This will be based on sales from the facility's clothing and gift items. The Range 702 celebrated its grand opening by pledging 20 percent of proceeds during October to the nonprofit group.

For more information about the group, visit candlelightersnv.org.

The business' hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, call 702-485-3232.

WINDER FARMS' TURKEY DRIVE TO BENEFIT THREE SQUARE

Winder Farms plans to conduct a turkey drive to benefit Three Square food bank through Dec. 31.

Winder Farms asks customers to donate by clicking on Donate a Turkey to the Food Bank, then Add to Next Delivery during their regular online shopping at winderfarms.com. The cost of the turkey will be added to the customer's next bill, and Winder Farms will deliver the turkey to Three Square.

WATER AUTHORITY REMINDS RESIDENTS ABOUT WINTER RESTRICTIONS

The Southern Nevada Water Authority reminds residents that winter watering restrictions are in effect, and watering is limited to one assigned day a week through Feb. 28.

Watering restrictions also apply to drip irrigation systems. Sunday is not an optional watering day.

If you notice frost or a freeze has damaged a plant, leave it alone until warmer weather arrives and new growth appears. Pruning or transplanting a plant during the winter months can hurt or even kill it. Watering should be done in mid-morning to avoid afternoon winds that make sprinklers less effective and avoid the risk of icing.

For more information, visit snwa.com or call 702-258-7283.

SAFEKEY OFFICE CHANGING LOCATIONS

As of Jan. 7, the city of Las Vegas main Safekey office will move from 1651 S. Buffalo Drive to 416 N. Seventh St. In order to facilitate the move, the office will be closed to the public from Dec. 24 through Jan. 6.

The city offers online registration and payment for all Safekey before and after school program sites at recreation.lasvegasnevada.gov. For more information, call 702-229-3399.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES SEEKS SITES FOR BLOOD DRIVES

The American Red Cross Blood Services is the predominant supplier of blood products for Southern Nevada and has increased staffing to increase the number of blood drives in Las Vegas.

The Red Cross invites community-minded businesses, churches, schools and other organizations to host blood drives in locations across the city.

To meet the demand for blood products in the Las Vegas hospitals it serves, the Red Cross needs to schedule two or more blood drives every business day. It is estimated that in the coming year, about 48,000 Las Vegas patients will need a red blood cell transfusion in a hospital the Red Cross serves.

Las Vegas residents interested in sponsoring a blood drive or donating blood should call 702-522-4000.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS TO CANCER TREATMENTS

Every day, thousands of Las Vegas cancer patients need a ride to their cancer treatment but don't have a means to get there. The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people unable to drive themselves. The program has 50 drivers enrolled, and the current need demands at least 100 to meet all the requests.

Volunteer drivers must have a valid Nevada driver's license, a safe, reliable vehicle, proof of automobile insurance, a safe driving history and be in good health. The commitment is about four hours a week however it works with volunteers' schedules.

For more information, call Debra Armstrong at 702-891-9023.

HEALTH DISTRICT OFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The Southern Nevada Health District offers environmental health services at its new main facility, 330 S. Valley View Blvd., near the Meadows Mall and Springs Preserve. Services already offered at the new facility include flu shots, adult and childhood vaccines, travel vaccines and newborn screenings.

Client-accessed environmental programs offered out of the Valley View facility include plan review services for pools, food establishments, body art establishments, child care facilities, schools and special events. Previously these services were offered out of the health district's Henderson and Spring Valley public health centers.

For more information, visit snhd.info or call 702-759-4636.

AARP TAX-AIDE SEEKING VOLUNTEER HELP

AARP Tax-Aide NV, which prepares free personal income tax returns for residents in the lower- to middle-income brackets, is seeking unpaid volunteers to prepare taxes, greet clients and program computers in early 2013. Training is scheduled for Jan. 7-11 on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley and Jan. 21-25 on the east side. For more information or to volunteer, email taxesbarb@cox.net or jerrytaxes@cox.net.

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