small wonder
Help with the little things N e w V i sta Gives a new lease on life to: Intellectually challenged people of all ages. How they do it: Each client gets a case manager who helps them with the life skills they need. Support levels are tailored to clients’ needs, from a hand with bill-paying and grocery shopping, to a home to live in. Each year, New Vista takes a group of clients on vacation, giving them a chance to experience travel and giving their caretakers a much-needed break. What they need: Volunteers. The organization holds eight wine walks a year to raise funds, and each one requires 50 people. Funding is critical, since New Vista is in hyper-growth mode. In 2004 it had 32 clients and 5 homes; now it has more than 450 clients and 17 homes. Plans are under way to build a new facility on 15 acres it owns in North Las Vegas. And that’s not all: “We also need holiday gifts and sponsors for our annual Christmas Party. … We host dinner, Santa and gifts to about 150 to 200 of the individuals we support that otherwise would not have anything to look forward to at this time.” — Michelle Jackson, director of development. Get involved: www.newvistacommunity.org, 457-4677. — H.K.
through college to academically capable and motivated children in need What they need: Volunteers for committees, tutoring and cooking; specific furniture needs for future homes can be obtained at lasvegas@bhgh.org Who to call: Main line, 839-9455 Best Buddies Nevada (www.bestbuddiesnevada.org)
Computers4Cause (www.computers4cause.com)
What they do: Technologically update local schools, churches and foster homes with refurbished unwanted computers What they need: Computers, Pentium 4 and up, and flat-screen monitors Who to call: Main line, 940-8038 Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (www.thefaym.com)
What they do: Establish one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities What they need: Buddies for their clients, opportunities to be a buddy begin at 10 years old Who to call: Nicole, 822-2268
What they do: Encourage and support gifted young musicians in early training, advanced study and professional career development What they need: Used musical instruments; volunteer instructors and office assistance Who to call: Main line, 279-6858
Children’s Heart Foundation (www.chfn.org)
Goodie Two Shoes Foundation (www.goodietwoshoes.org)
What they do: Provide camp experience for children with heart conditions; family support and community education What they need: Donations of diapers, wipes, formula, gas cards and grocery cards Who to call: Main line, 967-3522
What they do: Provide children with new shoes and cushioning (socks), as well as other items deemed essential for good health and positive development. What they need: Organized volunteers to help keep shoes sorted, and anyone handy with a foot measurer Who to call: Main line, 349-3063
Clark County READS (www.clarkcountyreads.org)
What they do: Provide literacy programs to children and families in Clark County What they need: Literate volunteers to read to elementary school students Who to call: Roxy, 799-5437
good neigh-bors
Riding to new horizons White Horse Youth Ranch Who wants to be a cowboy? Kids who, due to social or economic disadvantages, have no chance to experience horseback riding or outdoor adventure otherwise. What they get out of it: Besides fresh air and exercise, healing. The therapeutic effects of horseback riding — long extolled by riders — have been formalized in the practice of hippotherapy. Teaching a kid to ride a horse instills self-confidence, trust and a stable full of other virtues. What they need: Money. The organization lost its initial land grant from the Paul E. & Helen S. Meyer Foundation (granddaughter Amy Meyer is WHY’s founder) when neighbors booted the ranch serving at-risk kids from their back yard. After five years in operation, WHY is hitting reset, with a $1.5 million donation from the Meyer Foundation kicking off a capital campaign to raise the $5 million they need to hit full gallop. In their words: “We’re looking for a fresh wave of people who will embrace us. We are able to continue operating with the help of our partners, like Cowboy Trail Rides and 4 Views Equestrian. So, for now we can take the kids we work with and do rides with them there.” — Peggy Paullin, Executive Director. Get involved: www.whyranch.org or call Paullin at (702) 644-9177. H.K.
What they need: Prepackaged snacks and drinks, personal DVD players, ear buds and other items Who to call: Main line, 362-2475
Janet Sue Mason Foundation (www.daretolive.us)
Las Vegas Little Theatre (www.lvlt.org)
What they do: Assist in making cancer treatment sessions more comfortable for patients
What they do: Increase support of the arts; provide theatre education and quality entertainment.
d e s e r t c o m pa n i o n . c o m 47