After a busy Thanksgiving weekend of shopping and snacking, itâs time to shift focus. Today is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide movement to inspire compassion and charitable contributions throughout the holiday season. Here are just a few ways to give back and make a difference in the Las Vegas community.
đ§âđ Great Las Vegas Santa Run
Register for the Great Las Vegas Santa Run and youâll receive a five-piece Santa suit to dress up and dash away through the streets of Downtown. The annual fundraiser for Opportunity Village returns this Saturday, December 6 â and you can register in advance or in person the morning of the event.
- The Magical Forest is a holiday-themed park that also raises money for Opportunity Village, a local nonprofit that helps people throughout the valley with disabilities.
đ° Trees of Hope
To celebrate the 11th anniversary of Trees of Hope, Boyd Gaming has once again invited 38 local charities to design holiday trees at one of eight casinos throughout the valley. Pay a visit in person or online to vote for your favorites. The charities split a prize pool of nearly $70,000.
đ„ Three Square Holiday Match Challenge
Typically, every dollar donated to Three Square provides three meals to those in need. Now, itâs six. The food bank is hosting the Holiday Match Challenge as local sponsors commit to matching all donations made throughout December.
đ Fill The Fire Truck Toy Drive
The Clark County Fire Department and the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation are teaming up for the 25th annual Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive at five Walmart locations throughout the valley. Drop off a new unwrapped toy on Saturday or Sunday through December 21. Fire stations are also accepting donations during that time.
đ âItâs a Wrapâ Holiday Block Party
The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is welcoming volunteers for the nonprofitâs annual âItâs a Wrapâ Holiday Block Party on Saturday, December 20. Shifts run throughout the day to wrap thousands of gifts for youngsters experiencing homelessness with hot cocoa, desserts, and lots of winter cheer on standby.
- NPHY is accepting donations all month long and even has an Amazon wishlist to contribute online.
đČ 98.5 KLUC Toy Drive
Our buddy Chet Buchanan takes to a 20-foot scaffold for 11 days each December as part of the annual 98.5 KLUC Toy Drive in partnership with HELP of Southern Nevada and the Venetian. Visit NV Energy Dec. 4-15 at 6226 W. Sahara to make a donation.
đ° Giving Machines
Giving Machines are red vending machines, but instead of buying snacks and soda, you purchase items and services for people in need. The machines, financed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are located in Downtown Summerlin and Green Valley Ranch, each representing five local charities.
đ Mondays Dark
The Space presents Mondays Dark twice a month to raise money for a different charity each time around, featuring Vegas performers who are eager to donate time and talent on their off nights. The event moves to the Theater at Virgin Hotels for one night only on December 15 to celebrate its 12th Anniversary and announce the charity partners for the coming year.
- Founder Mark Shunock joined City Cast Las Vegas last year to discuss the importance of giving throughout the year and how Mondays Dark has raised millions of dollars for hundreds of charities. [City Cast Las Vegas đ§]
