Rhodes provides holiday activity

Rhodes Ranch, a master-planned community located in the southwestern Las Vegas Valley, is aiming to celebrate the holidays with activities and events to help the less fortunate.

"Residents have access to many benefits of living in Rhodes Ranch, including the 35,000-square-foot recreation center in the heart of the community," said John Means, sales manager for Rhodes Homes. "The R Club is bringing residents together to celebrate the holidays with activities throughout the end of the year."

Among the holiday activities at Rhodes Ranch is a special visit from Santa Claus on Dec. 15. "Santa will be greeting children, taking pictures and finding out what they all want from him this year," said Virginia Kaplan, program manager at the R Club. Kaplan also leads toddler education and exercise classes at the R Club, and several of her students will serve as Santa's assistants during his visit.

"The children will be dressed as reindeer and help Santa greet all the boys and girls who want to talk with him," Kaplan said. "Students from our piano classes will also provide musical entertainment during this magical event."

According to Kaplan, Rhodes Ranch residents are obliging during the holidays and have already donated nearly 100 gifts to deserving children. For every toy donated, the family's name is placed on a "Giving Tree" in the R Club. On Dec. 20, the toys will be donated to Sunrise Children's Hospital, where Kaplan says they are very much appreciated.

"Our residents make the holidays brighter for children who could really use something special," she said. "It is one of the many reasons Rhodes Ranch is such an amazing place to live and raise a family."

Rhodes Ranch will wrap up a successful year with a New Year's Eve party featuring gourmet dinners and entertainment. "This year's theme is Mardi Gras," said Kaplan. "It is always one of our best annual events."

To visit Rhodes Ranch, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Durango Drive, and then go south to Rhodes Ranch Parkway. All sales offices are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit rhodeshomes.com.