News from around the Valley, Nov. 5-11, 2015

Missing servicemen photo project: Vegas PBS is launching a campaign to find photos of five fallen Vietnam veterans to complete Nevada's participation in the national Faces Never Forgotten project before Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The servicemen are: Joseph J. Gomez of Las Vegas; Robert. J Green of Las Vegas; Patrick G. Cartwright of Reno; Maxie R. Rice of Reno; and Richard H. Walker of Sparks. Organized by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the project aims to display a photo for each of the 58,307 servicemen still missing or killed in action during the Vietnam War. The photos are set to be housed in a new education center that will be constructed near the Vietnam Veteran Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. To submit photos of the Nevadan servicemen or any Vietnam veterans, email Janna Hoehn at neverforgotten2014@gmail.com. Photos can also be submitted on the VVMF website or mailed with a submission form (found at vvmf.org/how-to-submit) to: Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund ATTN: Call for photos, 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW Suite 104, Washington, D.C. 20037. Visit VegasPBS.org/thewall or call 702-616-3123.

Candy collection for troops: From Nov. 2-12, Matt Smith Physical Therapy and Desert Valley Therapy are accepting donations of leftover or excess Halloween candy for the troops at each of the 15 Southern Nevada ATI Physical Therapy Company locations. The collected candy will be sent to Operation Gratitude, an organization that ships care packages to U.S. military, veterans, first responders and caregivers overseas. The physical therapy clinics are inviting former and current patients, employees and the general public to participate by donating new, wrapped candy and treats. Donations can be dropped off at donation boxes located inside all of the 15 ATI Physical Therapy Company clinics, at Matt Smith Physical Therapy or Desert Valley Physical Therapy. Call 702-256-9738.

Turf conversion incentive: Qualified property owners who enroll in the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Landscapes Rebate program can receive $2 per square foot of turf converted, an increase from the current $1.50 per square foot incentive. The rebate program increase benefits property owners who enroll in the program beginning Oct. 19, as well as those who have already enrolled but have not yet received their rebate check. Information about the program, including eligibility requirements, pre- and post-conversion resources, and sample landscape plans, is available at snwa.com. To enroll in WSL, call 702-258-7283 or visit snwa.com.

Plastic Food Drive: The nonprofit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is launching its annual Plastic Food Drive to provide the more than 11,000 Clark County homeless youths with a hot meal for Thanksgiving and the December holidays. To meet its goal, NPHY is asking the public to participate individually or through employee and customer drives by purchasing and donating fast-food restaurant and grocery store gift cards. The requested denominations are $5 or $10 for fast-food restaurants and $25 or $50 for grocery stores. Now in its ninth year, this year's Plastic Food Drive will culminate at a tailgate party with food, games and a raffle Nov. 21 before the UNLV — San Diego State football game at Sam Boyd Stadium, 7000 E. Russell Road. Entry is free, but donations are required for refreshments and the raffle. Those who bring fast food or grocery store gift cards or other donations will be eligible to win food, game tickets and other prizes. The event will be co-hosted by NPHY and UNLV and will take place on the north side of the stadium from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit gofundme.com/nphypickupthetab15 or nphy.org/pfd.

Walk for Water One Drop donation: City National Bank recently provided both monetary and volunteer support for the Walk for Water ONE DROP event hosted by Cirque Du Soleil at the Springs Preserve with a $2,500 donation and a walk team consisting of 40 bank colleagues and members of their families. The 3.2-mile walk began at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., and ended at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. In the U.S., ONE DROP is a public charity that undertakes innovative activities in which water plays a central role as a creative force to generate positive, sustainable change worldwide.

Donation collection at Miracle Mile Shops: In November, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, will collect donations in its fountain for HELP of Southern Nevada to advance the organization's mission of assisting homeless or low-income families and individuals to attain self-sufficiency through direct services, training and referral to community resources. All change tossed in Miracle Mile Shops' fountain as well as the indoor rainstorm will benefit HELP of Southern Nevada through Nov. 30. The nonprofit provides numerous services and programs, such as homeless outreach, weatherization, holiday assistance and the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center. Miracle Mile Shops' partnership with HELP of Southern Nevada is part of its ongoing Caring, Giving, Changing campaign, which raises funds for nonprofit programs and organizations through community sponsorships, additional partnerships and a number of cash and in-kind donations. Call 702-369-4357 or visit helpsonv.org.

Nonprofit seeking volunteers for holidays: HELP of Southern Nevada is seeking volunteers for several of the nonprofit's holiday efforts, including its Holiday Program Intake, the HELP of Southern Nevada Thanksgiving Program Distribution, and its 17th annual 98.5 KLUC Chet Buchanan & The Morning Zoo Toy Drive. For more information or to volunteer, contact Joan Lima with HELP of Southern Nevada at 702-836-2114. Visit helpsonv.org.

Holiday decorating contest: The city of Henderson Commemorative Beautification Commission is accepting entries for its 2015 Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest through Nov. 30. The program is open to the first 50 entries received. There is no cost to participate. The contest is open to residential single-family homes within Henderson city limits. There are six categories to choose from: patriotic; children's theme; best holiday theme; most innovative; Griswold, which includes homes decorated in the style popularized by the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"; and street/neighborhood. The street/neighborhood category is for groups of homes within a neighborhood or on a street, with at least three homes participating together. Members of the CBC will tour and evaluate the entries on Dec. 7. Winners in each category will be announced at the city's annual WinterFest celebration at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Henderson Events Plaza. Information about WinterFest and printable entry forms and contest details are available at cityofhenderson.com. After the winners have been announced, the city will post a map featuring the entries at cityofhenderson.com and on Facebook. The map enables residents to take self-guided driving tours at their leisure to view the holiday displays. Call 702-267-4027.

Three Square Thank-You Gift: Nevada Public Radio, with support from the Bennett Family Foundation and AARP Nevada, is offering listeners an opportunity to help feed food insecure individuals in Southern Nevada. During the fall membership campaign, the program's sustaining, renewing or new members at a level of $100 or higher who select the Three Square Thank-You Gift option can elect to have the Bennett Family Foundation and AARP Nevada pay for meals to Three Square food bank. Visit knpr.org, classical897.org or desertcompanion.com.