Community support thriving in Town Square

As April nears, it plans to usher in plenty of opportunities for residents to flex some good will to needy causes at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Klip it for Kidz

The commotion, the community, the spirit of the event -- it's unknown what moved Victoria "Cosi" Villalpando, then 2, to walk unassisted for the first time during the annual Klip it for Kidz Parade of Courage last year.

Cosi's developmental delay to attempt walking was one of the signs she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was diagnosed in January 2010 and began chemotherapy treatment shortly thereafter.

Her family connected with the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and decided to participate in the parade last April.

As soon as the music started and walkers began assembling, Cosi made a great stride.

"All of a sudden, she wanted to get down and get to where everyone else was going to," said her mother, Rene Villalpando . "We were crying and excited."

This year, Cosi will don a sash and her signature tutu when she marches as Little Miss Parade of Courage during the celebratory walk in the third annual Klip it for Kidz, set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Town Square Las Vegas.

The free event, which will include live entertainment, exhibits and food, benefits the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, a non profit organization that provides more than 25 programs and services for local children suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses .

Local professional hair stylists will be shaving heads and cutting hair to be donated to make wigs for children.

Those interested in pledging money can do so through Saturday by downloading a form at nvccf.org or on Facebook .

New this year, participants can text the word KLIP to 52000 from a mobile phone to donate $10 automatically. The deduction will appear on their phone bill, and standard messaging and data rates apply.

James Kilber, executive director for the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, said the event will include local celebrities helping with the clippers. The pledge goal for this year is $100,000.

Kilber's family became close to Cosi's parents and two older sisters after last year's event.

"I spoke with Cosi's mom about a week after the event and she said, 'Did you realize Cosi couldn't walk before (Klip it for Kidz)?' " he said. "We just fell in love with (Cosi) from there."

Cosi, 3, even developed a little crush on Kilber's 10-year-old son.

Cosi is in remission but still receiving at-home treatments. She has earned a reputation for donning tutus during her medical visits, because the family tries to make the outings more like a party, Villalpando said.

Some of her hair is growing back, and her positive attitude is intact, her mom said.

"She's pretty animated and full of personality," she said.

The Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and the Metropolitan Police Department join forces for the third year to present Klip It For Kidz .

For more information, visit nvccf.org or call 735-8434.

Lili Claire Spring Fling

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, the Lili Claire Foundation plans to host its Spring Fling with a carnival with midway games, food and rock-climbing walls early next month.

The Spring Fling is scheduled for 1 - 10 p.m. April 7 and 8, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. April 9 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 10.

Admission is free , and tickets for the rides and games can be purchased for a few dollars, depending on the ride, or attendees can buy a daily unlimited ride bracelet for $20 per person. The event will be behind Guitar Center in the northwest parking lot of Town Square.

The Lili Claire Foundation has partnered with Town Square and Davis Amusements Cascadia to bring the Spring Fling to Las Vegas. National Autism Awareness Month, which aims to increase awareness of children living with autism and other special needs, such as Down syndrome and Williams syndrome. The Lili Claire Foundation has been providing medical genetics programs and services to the Las Vegas community for the past eight years in partnership with the University of Nevada School of Medicine, all free of charge.

Jessica Saylor, spokeswoman for the foundation, said the nonprofit group hopes to raise enough to restore funding for clinics and research that have been affected by tough economic times.

"Come on out and have a great time and know that the dollars spent will be helping a children's charity," she said.

For more information, visit liliclairefoundation.org or call 862-8141.

Walk MS: Las vegas

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society plans Walk MS: Las Vegas for 8:45 a.m. April 9.

Friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors will be joining those with MS to take steps to bring sufferers closer to a cure.

Registration is set for 7 a.m.

Funds raised will support programs and services for the nearly 19,000 people living with MS and their families in Southern California and Nevada , including more than 2,000 Las Vegas-area residents. Funds also will benefit national MS research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system, said Fotini Alfieris, development manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society .

"There isn't a minimum you have to raise for the event," she said. "A lot of people start teams collectively and have a lot of fun."

This is the second year the event has been at Town Square Las Vegas.

Anyone who would like to join can register at walkmsnevada.org or call 736-1478.

Olive Crest Ice Cream Social

Help Olive Crest kick off its Celebrate Families Week with an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9.

The event will feature live performances from RagTag Entertainment, prize drawings and free ice cream.

Families Week was created to raise awareness of child abuse and the Olive Crest services available to families and children in Southern Nevada, said Sheryl Rios, community involvement coordinator.

Donations will be accepted.

"It's a friendraiser," she said. "Some of those friends become donors down the road."

For more information, call 221-6224.

Contact Centennial and Paradise View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.