Opportunity Village Closes 2020 with a Successful Virtual Event in The Las Vegas Great Santa Run
Opportunity Village Closes 2020 with a Successful Virtual Event in The Las Vegas Great Santa Run
The Southern Nevada community rallies around Opportunity Village for another successful year of The Las Vegas Great Santa Run – this time in a virtual format.
Opportunity Village announced back in July that The Las Vegas Great Santa Run would be going virtual for the first time in its 16-year history. The event, which typically welcomes nearly 10,000 participants, is one of the not-for-profit’s signature fundraising events and cancelling just wasn’t an option for the organization.
The switch to virtual was a difficult, but necessary one. Opportunity Village knows that much of the event’s appeal stems from the exciting Fremont Street environment, the live entertainment, and seeing thousands upon thousands of Santa-clad runners gather in one place. Would the community show up for them?
The answer was a resounding yes. Presenting sponsor Circle K was on board as were countless others. And not only that, nearly a thousand individuals registered – which for a virtual event is a clear success. Not so different from the in-person structure, participants each received a Santa suit, special edition finisher’s medal, race bib, and goody bag.
Adam K. Joseph, VP of Philanthropy for Opportunity Village stated, “The switch to virtual was necessary given the current situation and we were definitely nervous, but the Southern Nevada community showed up for Opportunity Village – as they always do! This fundraising event is crucial to us and we are just so grateful to have so many people invested in this organization and the work that we do.”
To make things more interesting (and a whole lot of fun) The Las Vegas Great Santa Run introduced a variety of friendly competitions for participants to win some swoon-worthy prizes. These included a Fundraising Competition, Pet Costume Contest, Scavenger Hunt, and a Cupcake Giveaway. Winners walked away with staycations, dining gift certificates, tickets to sporting events, gift baskets, and more!
While the organization looks forward to returning to “normal” in 2021, the first-ever Virtual Las Vegas Santa Run is in the books. Race Director, Casey Parisi adds, “We are just so thankful to each and every person out there that has supported us through this difficult year – participating in the run, making a donation, even just clicking share on a Facebook post. Each of these actions is important and helps us to make a difference in the lives of so many individuals with intellectual disabilities here in Nevada.”
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to enhance their lives and the lives of their families.
Seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible founded Opportunity Village in 1954. Now, more than six decades later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States.
Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves nearly 2,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.
Opportunity Village citizens – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.7 million in 2016. They are hardworking and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives.
Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers more than $37 million annually.