Providence celebrates literacy

Providence, a master-planned community located at Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway and Hualapai Road, will celebrate its commitment to literacy by holding its first-ever bed race competition called Race the Bed to Read from noon to 6 p.m. April 12 to support Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids.

The inaugural bed race competition consists of teams of five that build a bed frame with wheels for four runners and one rider to push or pull along the race course at Providence.

The teams can dress in festive costumes, including pajamas, and race standard double-size mattresses donated by Walker Furniture. The competition will include community and corporate teams that will race decorated beds 600 feet to the finish line.

Dignitary judges will be present to decide the official winners for fastest bed, best-decorated bed, and most entertaining bed. Spectators also may participate by voting for the people's choice award.

Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids provides books for the valley's at-risk children, and the organization is celebrating its millionth book by attempting to set the Guinness World Record for the Most People Balancing Books on Their Heads.

The event will also feature storytelling by local celebrities and arts and crafts, carnival games, food, beverages as well as appearances by storybook character lookalikes.

"Advancing literacy in our community is the community outreach theme for Providence, and we're thrilled to be holding the first-ever bed race competition to benefit Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids," said Deonna Stocker, manager of information center operations for Focus Property Group, the developer of Providence. "We're certain the event is going to be a great success, and we're looking forward to supporting an organization that makes such a positive and substantial impact on our community."

While numerous teams have already signed up to compete, beds are still available for teams interested in being part of the event. To compete, teams must create a bed frame that can hold a mattress with dimensions of 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. The height of the bed should be 10 inches from the ground, and allow for stability against overturning. Teams interested in signing up can call 715-5699 for more infomation. All teams must be signed up one day before race day.

"We're hoping for a turnout that will make for some excellent and entertaining races, as well as a fun-filled day at Providence while raising awareness about literacy in Southern Nevada," said Laurie Porter, founder and president of Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids. "Events such as these help us make reading accessible to many children who would otherwise not know the joy of books, and we're excited that this event will help so many more children connect with books and reading."

The bed races at Providence kick off the monthlong sales event called White Blossom Days. Promotions, incentives and reductions are being offered by participating builders.

Avante Homes, Beazer Homes, KB Home, Kimball Hill Homes, Lennar Homes, Meritage Homes, Pardee Homes, Pulte Homes, Ryland Homes, Toll Brothers, Warmington Homes Nevada and Woodside Homes all feature homes at the community.

During White Blossom Days, Providence also will play host to a 5K walk benefiting National Multiple Sclerosis Society May 10. Providence also puts on other activities throughout the year, including quarterly Desert Demonstration Garden seminars, a Route 66 event and a farmer's market during Red Apple Days in the fall.

Along with the community's celebration of the history of literature, Providence is dedicated to the preservation of natural resources. Providence ultimately will be planted with an estimated 4,000 mature desert-adaptable shade and specimen trees, nearly 2,000 of which are already planted, along with countless drought-tolerant shrubs and plants including dozens of different types and varieties. All this will provide a comfortable, shaded and colorful community for the residents of Providence, while keeping water conservation a high priority.

When completely built out, Providence will comprise an estimated 7,500 single and multi-family units in 39 subdivisions. The community is planned to have two parks and 10 miles of trails systems, as well as two elementary schools and one middle school.

To learn more about Providence, prospective home buyers may visit the community's Information Center, open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or call at 433-5084.

For more information on Providence and Focus Property Group. visit providencelv.com or focuspropertygroup.com.