Downtown Cares volunteers spruce up Las Vegas Academy

The building that housed Las Vegas' first high school in 1931 received some new additions to its courtyard July 14, thanks to more than 125 volunteers, as part of the Downtown Cares initiative.

Representatives from the Moonridge Group and the El Cortez chose Las Vegas Academy, 315 S. Seventh St., for their second Downtown Cares project. Volunteers assisted in painting benches, gardening and cleaning the school's courtyard. The first project, which took place in November, drew more than 270 volunteers and $70,000 worth of donated supplies and labor into the renovation of senior housing facility Robert Gordon Plaza, 425 N. 11th St.

Miles Dickson, Moonridge Group vice president and event organizer, said he planned to put on a Downtown Cares project once a year but saw a need to organize more after the success of November's event.

"We initially set out to do one volunteer event where we renovated the low-income senior center," Dickson said. "But after that, we knew this was something big, and we decided to make it semiannual. We're (targeting) schools, senior centers, anything we can identify a need in."

In addition to community volunteers, Jaramillo Landscape employees, representatives from Zappos, the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance, Repurpose America and the city participated in the event, providing supplies, labor and food. Dickson estimated that $13,000 in supplies and labor were donated. Local artist Miguel Rodriguez designed a sculpture for the school, and it is set to be installed in the near future.

Dickson said he wanted to organize a project that could combine the work of professionals and volunteers of all ages to benefit an integral part of the community.

"When we chose the project, we wanted to do something all volunteers could participate in and not just professionals," Dickson said. "We wanted to set this project up where we could come into the school and do renovations with a focus on common areas."

Principal Scott Walker feels fortunate that the Moonridge Group chose Las Vegas Academy among several nominations for Downtown Cares' second project, especially with budget cuts that the Clark County School District has recently faced.

"It's exciting, and it's an honor (Downtown Cares) would consider Las Vegas Academy to be their project," Walker said. "So much is happening with downtown revitalization, and we're excited to be one more element that's a part of it."

The project began at 7 a.m., and volunteers trickled in by the hour. By 8:30 a.m., about 100 people were working in the courtyard. Volunteer Allison Serafin said working alongside community members of various ages provided a unique opportunity.

"I've never met these people before, and this (project) has given us a chance to work together," Serafin said. "It's a privilege to work with people who were strangers an hour and a half ago, and now they're my neighbors. Everyone is adding tremendous value, regardless of their age, and it's important to take note of as members of this community."

Elementary school-aged children up to adults pitched in, representing various parts of the valley. Alex Epstein, the El Cortez's general manager, took notice of these volunteers and their contributions to the area.

"A lot of people here probably don't live downtown, but they care about it, and that's why they're here," Epstein said. "For Downtown Cares, it's been so exciting to see the evolution. Ever since the beginning, the support of the community has been remarkable. I think people caring about downtown, that number of people is growing."

Volunteer Aaron Smith, who joined some of his fellow Granello Bakery employees for the project, said being a part of the Downtown Cares event offers a chance for people to see parts of the community with which they may be unfamiliar.

"It's always a good thing to give back to the city," Smith said. "A lot of people don't take the time to come out and help, and the city always needs help with stuff like this. I think Las Vegas has a very huge community a lot of people don't get to see, and I just think we need to shine a light on it."

In terms of downtown, Epstein agrees.

"I think this (project) is showing downtown, specifically the parts that probably don't get as much attention," Epstein said. "I think all of downtown needs to benefit. Anything we can do to make downtown better, we want to be a part of it."

For more information on Downtown Cares, visit facebook.com/downtowncareslasvegas.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-4686.