December 10, 2018
The holiday months are known as the “giving season”, and even though it’s important to contribute to charities year-round, the winter is a great time to give back to the community and start the new year off with a good deed. There are dozens of local Las Vegas charities to choose from, but no matter which charity you choose to donate to this year, you’ll be helping others who are in need. Take time this season to try these donation and volunteer opportunities in Las Vegas to spread the holiday cheer:
The Shade Tree is a local valley charity that provides a safe shelter for homeless and abused women and children. These individuals have typically experienced some sort of crisis and are in need of immediate accommodations. The Shade Tree is a 24-hour accessible shelter for women with 364 beds, making it the largest shelter in Southern Nevada. The 38,000 square-foot facility offers bedrooms, a library, training rooms, restrooms, children’s playrooms, as well as a living room, kitchen, laundry room, and showers.
The Shade Tree also offers services to encourage stability and self-reliance. This organization takes in donations of clothes, toys, and monetary donations as well as immediate needs like towels, soap, deodorant, blankets, and twin-sized sheets. Donations can be dropped off at 1 W. Owens Ave in North Las Vegas from 9am-7pm. Offering your time as a volunteer is also greatly appreciated. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization without any national affiliation, so the generosity of Nevada donors and volunteers is crucial.
Photo: The Shade Tree
Whether running away from dangerous situations within their families, being kicked out for lifestyle choices, or escaping an unsafe environment, homeless youth in Nevada has become a serious crisis in our community. Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth offers several programs and services that assist Nevada’s homeless adolescents build and repair their path to self-sufficiency and independence. Along with providing supportive services, NPHY also offers a safe Drop-In Center which gives youths immediate basic needs such as food, clothes, hygiene supplies, bus passes, and even haircuts.
The Drop-In Center includes a shower, laundry services, a computer lab, and a food pantry. NPHY’s programs stabilize homeless teens’ lives to help create healthy, productive adults to benefit those individuals and our community. If you would like to contribute to Nevada Partnership of Homeless Youth this holiday season, you can get involved by donating money, restaurant and grocery store gift cards, clothing, hygiene products, or non-perishable food items. You can also volunteer your time, share and spread the word on social media, and attend events and programs NPHY hosts.
Photo: https://nphy.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Opportunity Village is dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and related disabilities live fulfilled and productive lives through vocational training, day services, and community employment. Founded in 1954, Opportunity Village is Nevada’s largest private, non-profit community rehabilitation program. They give citizens with intellectual disabilities a chance to make new friends, set career goals, and seek independence within the community.
Opportunity Village also operates several employment training center campuses, a thrift store, a vehicle donation program, and hosts several community events including the Las Vegas Great Santa Run and the Magical Forest. There are several ways to help Opportunity Village provide resources to our disabled community including donating cash, a vehicle, or your time. It also helps to shop or donate gently used, high quality items to the Opportunity Thrift Store.
Photo: https://blog.vegas.com/las-vegas-attractions/a-season-thats-merry-and-bright-with-these-festive-vegas-holiday-attractions-62634/
While contributing to local charities this holiday season and throughout 2019, let’s not forget our furry friends who need help too! Hearts Alive Village in Las Vegas sets out to provide a safe and happy life for pets and animals. Hearts Alive works with low income homes to keep pets with their owners by providing food and medical care when needed. They also help provide access to pet services, find forever homes, and educate children on how to care for and be kind to all living creatures.
Another great Las Vegas animal charity is the Heaven Can Wait Animal Sanctuary. Not only does Heaven Can Wait organize fostering and adoption services, but they also approach the problem of euthanizing pets due to overpopulation at the source by offering low to no-cost neutering and spaying. Both facilities offer several options to help including donating, fostering, adopting, and volunteering.
Even if you don’t have anything to give this season, perhaps ask for donations made in your name in lieu of materialistic presents and gifts. Or take the whole family to a charity of choice to volunteer your time with community service in Las Vegas and show that it’s important to help those who aren’t as fortunate. No matter how great or small your contribution may be, helping others in any way is the best way to build a strong community.
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