Charity

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Stylish Supporters Splurge for Students

December 6, 2011 in Client news | No comments

What could be better than an afternoon of designer fashions mixed with some holiday cheer? If you are drawing a blank, then you’re on the right track!

On Sunday, I had the esteemed pleasure of attending a Communities In Schools of Nevada benefit that welcomed fashionistas and their children to Stella McCartney inside Crystals at CityCenter.  A unique take on a fundraiser, Stella McCartney transformed their store into a kid’s haven complete with cookie decorating stations, a photo booth and makeshift hair salon where little divas and studs could get a new do from Square Salon. Even a well known balloon artist was making creations from bicycles to Spiderman and even a flower bracelet that I happened to don during the event.

My obsession with fur was only teased as Stella McCartney donated an eco-fur handbag garnished with chain-link accents and allowed CISN to auction it off. If it wasn’t for my need to purchase Christmas presents for family and friends, I may have splurged on the trendy bag.

As children were sidetracked with ample activities, ladies were able to hit the racks and browse through the British designer’s collection. Dresses seemed to be the hot ticket item as the designs exuded femininity, perfect for the plethora of holiday cocktail parties one has the attend in December. The cash wrap remained busy throughout the entire three hour party and not a lady left empty handed.

By the end of the fashionable fare, supporters helped raise more than $5,000 for Communities In Schools as the store graciously donated a portion of all sales back to the nonprofit that helps at-risk children in Nevada.

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JERSEY BOYS TAKE THEIR MOVES FROM THE STAGE TO THE RUNWAY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

October 14, 2011 in Client news | No comments

I recently had the opportunity to organize a unique event with the cast of Jersey Boys to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada at Fashion Show mall. The event surrounded a clothing drive and a fashion show where the cast were the models, showcasing the latest looks from Banana Republic’s “Mad Men” collection. The community was invited to see the runway show and bring their new or gently used clothing donations in exchange for the opportunity to meet the cast and win exciting prizes. 

One of my favorite parts of the event was when a 2-year-old boy named Braden met the cast. He knows all of Jersey Boys’ music by heart and performed “Big Girls Don’t Cry” for the cast. Braden’s face lit up when the cast joined in from the behind the meet and greet table and he began dancing. Our office has since received a note from Braden’s mom saying, “He is still talking about them all the time!” Check out this video of Braden’s experience here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiYA7FbWD-E 
One of the best parts of my job is seeing how big of an effect the cast members have on the community. They are always more than willing to volunteer their time-off to participate in charitable events like this, meet their fans and go above and beyond for a good cause. (In this case, becoming models for an afternoon!)
That afternoon was a huge success and HELP of Southern Nevada received clothing donations that will help dozens of their clients.
Also, a special thanks goes to 8 News Now anchor Dayna Roselli who emceed the event!

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Local community shows support at Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open TweetUp for a Cause, June 15 at The Sporting House

June 20, 2011 in Client news | No comments

A tweetup, for those who may not know, is by definition a social gathering or get together with friends and followers from Twitter. At the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Tweetup on Wednesday, June 15, new and old friends alike gathered at The Sporting House inside New York-New York Hotel & Casino to show support for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. For a $10 donation, guests enjoyed a private seating area to watch Game 7 of the NHL finals, appetizers and the positive sentiment from showing support for a cause that impacts the lives of children and their families every day. 

Guests began arriving shortly before 5:30 p.m. for the tweetup and immediately began generating buzz on Twitter for the tournament, Sept. 25 – Oct. 2 at TPC Summerlin and the Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Ready to tweet the night away, I was excited to see how many people from the local community and members of the media who came out to offer their patronage.

At the entrance each guest was given a golf tee to redeem for a signature cocktail deemed “Fairway to Heaven,” and one ticket to the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Appetizers, provided by The Sporting House, included a new twist on shrimp cocktail and delectable lamb chops and were a big hit with all the guests. Throughout the evening, raffle winners were announced and were excited to win prizes such as Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open merchandise and a limited edition print of The Hill, TPC Summerlin’s hospitality venue.

The positive energy could be felt in the air as new friends mingled and one of the tournament’s own, Mike Zampini, celebrated his birthday complete with an Ohio State University-themed chocolate mousse cake.

After a successful evening, the tweetup raised $500 for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. But that’s not it—the evening will be remembered by many as a night that displayed the strength of a community’s love for a wonderful cause.

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Las Vegas Participates in an International Twestival Event

March 30, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Thursday, March 24th I had the pleasure of attending the Las Vegas Twestival that benefited Aid for AIDS of Nevada. Twestival, standing for Twitter Festival, was designed to use social media to connect communities around the world and highlight a charity during a social event. Twestival began as a single event in London back in 2008 and now has grown into a global movement, covering 45 countries and raising close to $1.2 million for 137 causes.  This year, more than 200 cities in the United States hosted a Twestival event that benefited local charities.

Nominations poured into the local Twestival coordinators once Las Vegas was announced as a participating city. After weeks of deliberating, they chose AFAN as the beneficiary. The viral announcement of the recipient created a buzz within the social media realm resulting in the #LVTwestival hash tag to trend in Las Vegas. Local businesses caught wind of the Twestival and donated prizes that were to be used for the silent auction as well as signed on as sponsors for the event.

Ready to tweet away the evening, I arrived at the stunning Caramel Bar & Lounge inside the Bellagio Hotel where I was surprised to find a line of local community members, donors, and social media influencers awaiting to enter the venue.  Once inside, the cocktail hour had begun and guests were treated to complimentary Stoli drinks, while they mingled with other tweeps and bid on auction items. Televisions around the lounge streamed tweets from a variety of Twestivals happening simultaneous. This gave guests the opportunity to see what local participants were saying about the event as well as gage the success of other cities’ events. As the evening closed, AFAN representative, Theresa Mayet thanked the crowd for their continual support and invited everyone to attend the upcoming AIDS Walk.  Eager to know the outcome of the silent auction, bidders hovered around the auction table and as the clock struck 9:30 p.m. event coordinators circled the winners and delivered the prizes to their news owners.

After a successful evening of fundraising and tweeting, AFAN patiently waited for the announcement of the grand total. Finally, on March 28 the total was publicized, raising close to $1000 for AFAN and its effort to fight HIV/AIDS within Southern Nevada.  This event ultimately proved how powerful social media is after the success of an event that was virtually promoted through Twitter and Facebook. Twestival is definitely an organization to follow over the next few years as they gain recognition and make a difference for hundreds of charities not only nationally but globally. 

Photo credit to Ryan Shewchuck

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Nove Italiano Executive Chef Geno Bernardo Cooks for More Than 700 People at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada in Honor of St. Joseph’s Day

March 21, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Sometimes you need a wake-up call to realize how truly lucky you are.  I got that wake-up call on Saturday, March 19 when I celebrated St. Joseph’s Day with Chef Geno and some of the staff of Nove and 9 Group at St. Vincent Lied Dining Room on the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada campus. 

Servando Daniels/Chef Geno Bernardo at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (credit 9Group)

Each year, communities pay tribute to the Italian holiday, St. Joseph’s Day, by giving food to the less fortunate, a custom that has been around for centuries. 

I arrived at Catholic Charities around 10:30 a.m. and there was a line out the door.  Men and women were waiting in line to receive a hot meal, many of them homeless and jobless carried what they owned in a backpack or a rolling suitcase.  They waited outside in the Vegas wind that made the temperature feel even cooler than it was.  The St. Vincent Lied Dining Room Facility feeds nutritious meals to homeless and needy men, women and children every day of the year, in a clean and safe environment, no questions asked.  A free meal is served to anyone who is hungry. 

Serving his signature Nove spaghetti, Chef Geno worked with Siena Food Company to have the pasta donated and Enzo to supply the tomatoes for the marinara sauce.  In addition, Las Vegas Bakery, Bon Breads donated a variety of breads and 9 Group/Palms sponsor, FIJI Water, supplied bottled water. For dessert, Nove Italiano’s Executive Pastry Chef Victor Solano treated those in need to a variety of cakes.  After about an hour and half, nearly 700 people were served a hot meal.  It was truly an eye-opening experience to see so many people in need and a charity that provide them a service free of charge.  

It is days like this that I realize, I am more than blessed.  I have an incredible circle of family, friends and colleagues, plus a job that I love.  It is days like this that reminds me that I can make a difference and help those in my community.  It doesn’t have to always be by donating money, but by merely donating your time.   I ask you all to think of what you can do to help those less fortunate in your community.   To learn more about Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada visit their website at www.catholiccharities.com.

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