Governor’s Points of Light Awards finalists announced

Seven Southern Nevadans have been named finalists for the 2008 Governor's Points of Light Awards, which honor volunteers and organizations from across the state. The seven individuals are among 21 finalists for the awards that also honor nonprofit organizations, corporations and businesses.

The three finalists for the South Individual Award are:

* Hugh J. Anderson III, chairman of the board for the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation. He has volunteered his time to the foundation for more than 25 years, including serving on the Leadership Gifts Committee and the Prospect Review Committee.

* The Rev. Troy Martinez of the East Vegas Christian Center, chairman of the Las Vegas Crystal Darkness Campaign -- which encourages education on the prevention of methamphetamine use -- and founder of the nonprofit organization 10,000 Kids. Martinez also is involved with several other community organizations including the Community Interfaith Council, Ready for Life and Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition, among others.

* Lauran Meyer, who has dedicated much of her time to working with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, Nevada Chapter. Meyer has served on the association's board as vice-president for three years, assisted at the Walk n' Roll fundraiser and is currently the chair for the ALS of Nevada Steve Rigazio Memorial Golf Tournament.

The Individual Rural finalist from Southern Nevada is Cathy Girard, the volunteer coordinator for the Nye County Volunteer Program based in Pahrump. The program provides volunteers to the school district to help with various jobs including performing clerical tasks, assisting school nurses, serving as playground monitors and reading to children.

Three individuals were named Nevada Senior Award finalists. They are:

* Richard (Dick) Bennett, who volunteers with the Metropolitan Police Volunteer Program, Metro Community Police Academy Advisory Council, Visitors Assistance Patrol, Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House, among others.

* Robert Miller, a chaplain who conducts funeral services for the homeless and indigent veterans. He has worked with homeless veterans for more than 23 years. Miller also is the coordinator for the Travelers Aid booth at McCarran International Airport.

* Jean Peyton, who has worked since 1994 to establish programs and organizations to assist the blind community. Peyton, who is legally blind, founded the nonprofit organization Blindconnect Inc. and established the Senior Vision program, in addition to creating Angela's House, the first blindness skill training center in Nevada.

Among the organizations and businesses named finalists from Southern Nevada are: Nye Communities Coalition Youth Organizations for the Nevada Youth Award; Children's Miracle Network of Southern Nevada, Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association and the University Medical Center Medical Explorers for the Nonprofit Service Organization; and Pardee Homes and Wells Fargo for the Corporate/Business Award.

The Points of Light Awards Banquet will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway. The banquet will follow a reception and drawing. For more information, call Nevada Volunteers at (775) 423-1461.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Newsmakers, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.