United We Prepare: Returning Initiative Helps Southern Nevada Residents Strengthen Disaster Preparedness

Images can be downloaded HERE (credit: United Way of Southern Nevada)

LAS VEGAS (October 1,2026) – With support from Verizon and United Way Worldwide, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) is proud to bring back United We Prepare, a local initiative to empower Southern Nevadans to be ready for natural and man-made disasters through preparedness workshops, community education campaigns and support from various community nonprofit partners.

Guests can attend the following disaster preparedness workshops in the coming months:

  • Prepare with Pedro – Safety Skills for Kids
    • Date: Oct. 23, 10:00 – 11:00am
    • Location: The Hills Preschool (4310 Fuselier Dr)
    • About: Bring the family for a fun and interactive story time where kids will learn about fire safety and emergency preparedness with Pedro the Penguin. Pre-K through 2nd grade students will build preparedness skills, and each student receives a storybook to take home! This free, public workshop includes a raffle prize and complimentary disaster preparedness kits for attendees.
    • Registration: https://uwsn.org/event/workshop-prepare-with-pedro-10-23/
  • Prepare with Pedro – Safety Skills for Kids
    • Date: Nov. 16, 2:45 – 3:45pm
    • Location: Christ Kids Child Center (111 N Torrey Pines Dr.)
    • About: Bring the family for a fun and interactive story time where kids will learn about fire safety and emergency preparedness with Pedro the Penguin. Pre-K through 2nd grade students will build preparedness skills, and each student receives a storybook to take home! This free, public workshop includes a raffle prize and complimentary disaster preparedness kits for attendees.
    • Registration: https://uwsn.org/event/workshop-prepare-with-pedro-11-16/

These workshops are free and open to the public to attend, teaching Pre-K through 2nd grade students preparedness skills, fire safety and more with Pedro the Penguin. Attendees will also receive a complimentary disaster preparedness kit, a story book, and a chance to participate in a raffle for additional prizes.

“Southern Nevada faces real risks, from extreme heat and flash floods to wildfires and earthquakes. By offering free workshops and supporting local nonprofits that can serve as resiliency hubs when disaster strikes, we’re making sure families have both the knowledge to act and a trusted place to turn. Thanks to Verizon’s support, we’re able to bring preparedness education to more neighbors before an emergency happens,” said Samuel Rudd, President and CEO of UWSN.

Additional resiliency investments include $25,000 to The After Market LV for energy retrofits; $25,000 to Mountaintop Faith Ministries for ADA and energy-efficiency upgrades; and $25,000 to Helping Hands of Vegas Valley for surge-capacity equipment, cooling and hydration station operations, and emergency preparedness resources. These efforts support development of community resiliency hubs and the Clark County Resiliency Hub Guide for future hubs throughout Southern Nevada.

Through Project REACH Senior Utility Assistance, UWSN is providing $30,000 to support senior expos and up to $300 in utility assistance per senior household during the summer months. UWSN has also committed $40,000 to Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada to support home repairs and weatherization improvements that help low-income households better withstand local disasters.

UWSN also partners with Southern Nevada CERT to host disaster preparedness workshops in Boulder City and collaborates with the American Red Cross to deliver Prepare with Pedro workshops that teach children and families emergency preparedness and fire safety skills.

UWSN’s disaster preparedness efforts extend beyond workshops to include community resiliency investments, emergency preparedness resources and strategic partnerships throughout Southern Nevada. Through United We Prepare, UWSN recently completed a community kit build assembling 750 disaster preparedness kits, with more than 700 kits already distributed through Project REACH Senior Expos, workshops, program partners, The After Market LV, Mountaintop Faith Ministries, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley and Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada. A second community kit build will take place this fall, with an additional 750 kits planned for distribution.

UWSN is proud to continue expanding its disaster preparedness efforts through community education, emergency preparedness resources, resiliency hub development and investments in trusted nonprofit partners, ensuring Southern Nevada families have the knowledge, tools and support they need before, during and after an emergency.

For more information about UWSN’s disaster preparedness efforts, future workshops and informational materials, please visit https://uwsn.org/united-we-prepare/.

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About United Way of Southern Nevada:
United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) believes that everyone deserves a roof over their heads, a good job, and access to a quality education. For over 65 years, UWSN has united our community to improve people’s lives. Funds raised in Southern Nevada stay here and build pathways out of poverty so our entire community can thrive. Join us and help ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to succeed. Give today at uwsn.org and connect with us on Facebook @UnitedWaySN, Instagram, X, and YouTube @UWSN, LinkedIn at United Way of Southern Nevada, and TikTok @UWSN702.

 

Media Contacts:
Kirvin Doak Communications
UWSNPR@kirvindoak.com