Volunteers help sustain nonprofits’ services
Millions of volunteers will offer their time and talent to help others Oct. 25 for Make A Difference Day.
Volunteers say they do the work for a number of reasons, including the joy of helping, a feeling of responsibility for the community or just a chance for a change of pace while lending a hand. While the day brings attention to volunteerism, the needs of nonprofits are year-round.
There are hundreds of Southern Nevada nonprofits that rely on volunteers, and many of them are based in the east valley. Some need long-term commitments and a specific skill set, while others need an occasional drop-in or an intense one day of service.
HELPING FIGHT ALS
Organizations working on research to cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, made a big splash in August, when the Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness and funds. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain. On average, sufferers die three to four years from the onset of the disease.
ALS of Nevada organizes at least four fundraising events annually, split between Southern and Northern Nevada.
“We have a walk and a golf tournament, and we can always use help,” said the charity’s executive director, April Mastroluca. “We need organizers and planners before the event and hands-on volunteers on the day of.”
The organization plans the Be A Superhero — Walk, Run & Roll for 6 a.m. Oct. 25 at Police Memorial Park, 3250 Metro Academy Way. For more information on the event, visit tinyurl.com/alssuper. For more information about ALS of Nevada, visit alsofnevada.org or call 702-777-0500.
BEING THERE FOR TEENS
Street Teens helps the growing number of homeless teens in Southern Nevada. Most homeless teens make great efforts not to hide their situation from their peers. Homeless teens may bounce from one family member’s or friend’s couch to another, live in a weekly rental apartment or spend nights in unoccupied homes, but many are trying to keep up with their school work and look forward to preparing for college or a job, said Lisa Preston, executive director of Street Teens, 5599 S. Pecos Road.
The group’s drop-in center gives teens a place to recharge, relax and stay in contact with friends and family. It also helps provide food, clothing and hygiene products.
“We need volunteers who are committed, dependable and who can be at the drop-in center from 4 to 8 p.m.,” said Preston.
Volunteers do everything at the center, from taking out the trash to helping teens with resumes. There are some long term-volunteer staff members, but the organization has only one full-time employee: Preston.
“Whoever sees what work needs to be done on a shift, does it,” Preston said. “We like volunteers to take ownership of the responsibility and step up and take initiative and are here to support the kids.”
For more information, visit streetteens.org or call Preston at 702-215-4171.
PROTECTING DESERT TORTOISES
Tortoise Group strives to improve the lives of wild and adopted desert tortoises through education.
“We’re always looking out for people that are interested in helping out in any number of tasks,” group executive director Jim Cornall said. “That can range from working with tortoises to entering data in databases to digging holes to help create backyard habitats for people who are adopting tortoises. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization, really.”
The group meets monthly at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North, and Cornall said the best way to find out more about volunteering is to attend a meeting, visit tortoisegroup.org, email info@tortoisegroup.org or call 702-560-5519, option 6.
BREAKOUT
Other valley organizations seeking volunteers include:
— Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Visit catholiccharities.com or call 702-385-2662.
— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, 2000 E. Flamingo Road. Visit bbbsn.org or call 702-731-2227.
— Blind Center of Nevada, 1001 N. Bruce St. Visit blindcenter.org or call 702-642-6000.
— Help of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road. Visit helpsonv.org or call 702-369-4357.
— USO Las Vegas at McCarran International Airport. Visit us.uso.org/lasvegas or call 702-261-6590.
— Three Square food bank, 4190 N. Pecos Road. Visit threesquare.org or call 702-644-3663.
— The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. Visit thecenterlv.org or call 702-733-9800.
— Veteran’s Village, 6029 W Charleston Blvd. Visit veteransvillagelasvegas.org or call 702-822-1233.
— Operation Christmas Child, an annual project by Samaritan’s Purse. Contact Brenda Meehan at maa4events@aol.com or 702-451-0344 or visit samaritanspurse.org.
— The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, 4981 Shirley St. Visit nphy.org or call 702-383-1332.
— Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster children, 601 N. Pecos Road. Visit casalasvegas.org or call 702-455-4306.
Contact East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.
