Opportunity Village Launches Three Contests for 2021 Las Vegas Great Santa Run
OV to host Pet Costume, Fundraising & Stroller Decorating Contests
The world’s largest Santa run just got a little more competitive this winter! Opportunity Village’s 17th annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run will host a Pet Costume Contest, Stroller Decorating Contest, and Fundraising Contest leading up to – and during – their internationally recognized fun run on December 4th.
For the Pet Costume Contest, registrants will dress their pet(s) up in their best holiday outfit for a chance to win one of four awards (Best In-Show Performance, Most Creative, Best Themed Costume and Social Media Winner). Whether it’s a bird, cat, dog, or reptile, all animals are welcome to join the in-person or virtual pawty and win unique prize packages donated by event sponsors.
Benny the Ice Skating Dog will be joining us on race day as the celebrity judge alongside Opportunity Village Ambassadors for the Pet Costume Contest. Owners must reserve their furry friend’s spot in the competition by visiting the Pet Costume Contest booth located across from the 3rd Street Stage (just off E. Ogden Ave.) between 8:00-10:00 a.m. Pets must also be registered for the Las Vegas Great Santa Run to qualify. Participants are asked to be at the After-Party Stage inside the Llama Lot at 11:00 a.m. where the winners will be announced. Get to know Benny, the world famous Labrador Retriever and celebrity judge, in advance by visiting him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Social Media winner for virtual Pet Costume Contest entries will be announced online prior to December 31.
The Fit4Mom Stroller Decorating Contest will take place on the After-Party Stage at 11:45 a.m. Strollers must be checked in at the FIT4MOM booth during pre-race festivities from 8:00-10:00 a.m. for a chance to win prizes. The top three winners will be chosen by OV Ambassadors.
The Fundraising Contest is also back and better than ever in 2021, including an incredible selection of prizes provided by event sponsors. Registrants and non-registrants can participate by fundraising for Opportunity Village through Dec. 26th.
Prizes will be awarded to five winners: Top Fundraising Team, Top Individual Fundraiser, 2nd Place Individual Fundraiser, 3rd Place Individual Fundraiser and Random Winner. The contest runs from November 8 to December 26, and winners will be notified by email and on social media prior to December 31. All fundraising proceeds go directly towards the programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Opportunity Village.
Complete details on all contests and up-to-date Las Vegas Great Santa Run information can be found at LVSantaRun.com.
“Adding these contests to the mix is always a fun way to engage our most loyal supporters and introduce a new demographic to Opportunity Village,” said Yanique Shim, Director of Event Services at Opportunity Village. “The Pet Costume and Stroller Decorating contests get better every year and the money raised during our Fundraising Contest is absolutely critical to the work we’re doing for thousands in this community. We can’t wait to see how they all turn out this year!”
The Las Vegas Great Santa Run will be happening in-person this year on December 4, and will include a fun-filled pre-show on the Fremont Street Experience beginning at 8 a.m. From there, participants will take on the 5k or 1-mile course, and cross the finish line into the Llama Lot for the after-party featuring a variety of food trucks, vendors, and live entertainment! Participants can also participate virtually from December 4-26, tagging the event pages and using the hashtag #LVSantaRun.
Please follow the Las Vegas Great Santa Run on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within the Southern Nevada community with significant intellectual disabilities, to enrich 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 over 3,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that improve their lives.
Folks supported in Opportunity Village’s Prevocational Training Programs and in jobs provided by the organization throughout the community, have collectively earned wages amounting to more than $3.7 million in 2020. They are hardworking and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading fulfilling lives.
Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts, multiple business lines, fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, and grants on the federal and state level, saving Nevada taxpayers more than $37 million annually.