Unleash your inner hero — by lending a hand to these valley organizations in need
Animals
ALL FUR LOVE ANIMAL SOCIETY
( allfurloveanimalsociety.org)
What they do: Dedicated volunteers are committed to the rescue, safety and welfare of abandoned kittens and cats. This no-kill organization gives the animals loving foster homes, where they can be cared for and nurtured until ready for adoption into forever homes
What they need: Volunteers to help with adoption fairs and special events; foster homes to help save more little lives; money, kitten and cat food, toys and kitty litter, cleaning supplies like trash bags, paper towels and bleach
Who to call: Main line, 362-5617
COMMUNITY CAT COALITION OF CLARK COUNTY ( c5-tnr.org)
What they do: Trap, spay/neuter and vaccinate the Las Vegas valley’s 200,000 feral and stray cats and return them to their colony caretakers
What they need: Donations to cover spay/neuter costs and volunteers
Who to call: Main line, 582-5867
Arts and culture
FOUNDATION TO ASSIST YOUNG MUSICIANS ( theFAYM.org)
What they do: Encourage and support gifted young musicians (up to the age of 26) in early training and provide advanced study and professional career development for those in need of financial aid and/or mentoring
What they need: Used instruments and monetary donations for scholarships and the “Violins for Kids” program for underprivileged youngsters, which offers young students instruments, materials, and two lessons a week free of charge
Who to call: Hal Weller, 279-6858
GATEWAY ARTS FOUNDATION
( gatewayartsfoundation.org)
What they do: Provide affordable community cultural programs and scholarships for advanced private music studies for outstanding students: Gateway Gallery is an on-going neighborhood beautification project to combat graffiti with murals created by Las Vegans. Hattie’s House is offered for small recitals and has a large collection of original artist costume renderings for viewing and purchase
What they need: Supporters to attend their events: Admission prices benefit the performers as well as the Gateway Scholarship Fund, which pays music teachers directly for continued private studies
Who to call: Camille Duskin 255-0695
NATIONAL ATOMIC TESTING MUSEUM
( nationalatomictestingmuseum.org)
What they do: This national museum documents and interprets the unique history and innovative technological achievements associated with nuclear weapons research conducted at the Nevada Test Site. It exhibits thought-provoking and interesting displays of science, math, engineering and technology, presents distinguished lectures from leading authors and scientists, provides tours for student and other groups, and rents out the venue for events, lectures and filming
What they need: Volunteers, interns, members and monetary donations from individuals and corporations, as they do not receive funding from the government or the Smithsonian
Who to call: Main line, 794-5151
Children
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF LAS VEGAS ( lasvegas.assistanceleague.org)
What they do: Provide services that enrich the lives of children in need, through programs like Operation School Bell, The Bear Program, The Kids on the Block, Layette Program, Assistance League’s Closet and Rose Warren Volunteer Program
What they need: Donations and shoppers at the Assistance League Thrift Store, 6446 W. Charleston Blvd.; monetary donations
Who to call: Main line, 870-2002
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA ( bbbsn.org)
What they do: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better
What they need: Volunteers willing to dedicate their time and friendship to a child or youth; donations of used clothing (call for pick-up); cash
Who to call: Main line, 731-2227
COMPUTERS FOR KIDS, INC.
( cfknevada.org)
What they do: Receive donated computers from individuals and businesses, repairing and refurbishing them for distribution as complete, ready-to-use packages to students for use at their homes, non-profit organizations, or schools, enhancing their education and gaining high tech skills. Provide training sessions and free technical support
What they need: Any kind of electronics, except for televisions (what they cannot use is recycled); volunteers to clean computers, keyboards and mice, help build and program working computers and tear down unusable systems; grants, donations and other funding to scholar children
Who to call: Molli Wingert or Natalie Lowder, 366-0909
DJS FOR PJS ( djsforpjs.org)
What they do: Provide new pairs of pajamas to benefit children in need who reside in social service agencies
What they need: New pajamas, infant through teen sizes
Who to call: Navé Marquez, 944-2464 x21
GIRLS ROCK VEGAS
( girlsrockvegas.org)
What they do: Empower girls through summer camp and school-based rock and roll programs. Participants learn to play electric guitar, bass, drums and keyboards and write and perform original songs at showcase concerts
What they need: Instrument instructors, band coaches, workshop leaders, roadies, donors and sponsors
Who to call: Heather Rampton,
608-GIRL (4475)
Families
FAMILY PROMISE OF LAS VEGAS ( familypromiselv.com)
What they do: Provide housing and supportive services to homeless families with children
What they need: Financial support to continue vital services to families
Who to call: Terry Ruth Lindemann, 638-8806
HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
( helpsonv.org)
What they do: Strategically expand programs and refine services to better serve the poor, the homeless and those in crisis. Help over 100,000 clients yearly become self-sufficient by assisting parents with newborns, weatherizing unfit homes, drug rehabilitation, work readiness and job experience. They also operate a homeless youth center, refer clients to other local nonprofits and brighten holidays for families in need
What they need: Monetary donations and volunteers to assist clients, receive, sort and distribute holiday donations
Who to call: Joan Lima, 369-4357
HOMEAID SOUTHERN NEVADA
( homeaidsn.org)
What they do: Build and maintain dignified housing for temporarily homeless families, where they can rebuild their lives; partner with non-profits that provide housing for the homeless and members of the building industry who provide materials and skilled labor
What they need: Financial support; builder, subcontractor and general contractor volunteers
Who to call: Kathleen Dye, 838-4243
Physical, mental and emotional health
AFS ( afsusa.org)
What they do: Support exchange students coming to the United States and studying abroad
What they need: Host families looking to explore other cultures while sharing ours, students wanting to study abroad, volunteers and tax-deductible donations
Who to call: Ken Sheehy, 324-5316
COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEDICAL CENTER ( nvcomc.org)
What they do: Provide non-insured individuals with low-cost, quality medical services such as prenatal care, family planning, cancer screening, primary care for HIV/AIDS patients, general medicine, STD program, pediatric sports physicals and immunizations. All that is needed to access services is an I.D.
What they need: Monetary donations to defray costs for medical supplies, laboratory testing and equipment
Who to call: Main line, 657-3873
DIVORCED AND WIDOWED ADJUSTMENT, INC. ( info4nv.org)
What they do: Provide emotional support for people experiencing difficult times in their lives, brought about by the loss of a relationship through separation, divorce or death of a loved one. Trained and caring volunteers help heal deep wounds in free weekly support groups that include working through deaths of pets as well as loved ones lost to suicide or murder
What they need: Financial donations, gifts and bequests to provide funding for their programs
Who to call: Main line, 735-5544 (24 hours)
THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
( thecenterlv.com)
What they do: Support and promote activities directed at furthering the well-being, positive image and human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, serving more than 30,000 people each year
What they need: Monetary donations to help fund renovation on a larger building, enabling expanded programming to help countless more individuals
Who to call: Arlene Cooper, 733-9800
HELPING HANDS OF VEGAS VALLEY ( hhovv.org)
What they do: Provide free, assistive services to senior citizens 60 and over, allowing them to maintain their dignity and independence while improving health and daily living; maintain a food pantry and deliver free food bags monthly; provide a respite voucher program for caregivers
What they need: Volunteers to drive seniors and deliver meals (all receive orientation training and a background check), food pantry workers, event coordinators and food package assemblers
Who to call: Lorri Highet, 633-7264 x30
TRAUMA INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ( tipoflasvegas.org)
What they do: Ensure that emotionally traumatized people in emergency situations receive the support they need; provide practical assistance and explain the procedures of various agencies to guide victims involved in the crisis through difficult hours until they are able to depend on family, friends, neighbors, and others
What they need: Volunteers 16 years and older. Mandatory training includes a 36-hour course, plus 3-hour continued education classes per month, taught by rescue personnel and mental health professionals
Who to call: Main line, 229-0426
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN NEVADA’S VOLUNTEER CENTER
( volunteer.uwsn.org)
What they do: Engage more than 14,000 dedicated and passionate volunteers with more than 400 nonprofit and community based organizations, inspiring, equipping and mobilizing individuals, families, groups and corporations to change lives in fun and meaningful ways
What they need: Volunteers for an hour, a day, a week, or all year long to read to children, prepare taxes for qualifying families, feed the hungry, assemble hygiene kits for the homeless, and more.
Who to call: Main line, 892-2300