OV Nation Announces Goals and Direction to Engage New Members in 2015
First Fundraising and Mixer Event of 2015 Saturday, February 21, 2015 – Tour of The Booze District
to Benefit Opportunity Village
Registration open now at: http://OVNationBoozeDistrict.eventbrite.com
OV Nation, a new generation of Opportunity Village supporters, announces its goals and direction for engaging and activating new members and supporters in 2015. Formed in September of 2013, OV Nation is an auxiliary organization comprised of rising Las Vegas professionals who are committed to expanding Opportunity Village’s reach to future leaders within the community. Over the past year, OV Nation has participated in over a dozen events, fundraisers and awareness campaigns for Opportunity Village and has independently raised thousands of dollars through fundraising efforts. With a goal of doubling that success, OV Nation has restructured its board and event plans in an effort to attract more business professionals who can be involved and at the same time balance work, life, family and social engagements.
“We’ve found that many local professionals want to become involved in the community and contribute to a cause, but have limited time to give,” said Jennifer Mahar, newly appointed chairperson for OV Nation. She continued, “We have restructured the board and committees so individuals can make an impact on their own schedule, without being required to attend set events or meetings.”
The new OV Nation structure will allow members to participate in four events, four mixers and four meetings per year. The four events will include a mix of existing flagship events such as the Magical Forest and HallOVeen, as well those created, hosted and executed by OV Nation. OV Nation mixers will feature an employee of Opportunity Village as well as an OVIP (Opportunity Village client) to inform guests and potential members about the organization and its services. Member meetings will be held at local restaurants that will allow a percentage of the proceeds to be donated back to Opportunity Village, to serve as both a productive meeting and fundraiser. In addition, OV Nation will also have booths at community events, runs and festivals throughout the year to promote the organization.
For its first event of 2015, OV Nation will host a mixer on Saturday, February 21 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at The Booze District in Henderson. Priced at $30 (plus taxes and fees), the mixer will include a tour of The Booze District and samples at member venues including CraftHaus Brewery, Las Vegas Distillery and Grape Expectations, concluding with appetizers at the final location. Open to anyone at least 21 years of age, the OV Nation mixer will provide guests the opportunity to learn more about the organization and its mission, and become involved with other like-minded emerging professionals interested in giving back to our community.
The mission of OV Nation is to identify, develop and engage a new generation of Opportunity Village brand ambassadors, donors, board members, volunteers and supporters. OV Nation has its own Board of Directors who spearhead the committee’s initiatives including special events, fundraising, networking, teambuilding, volunteering and supporting Opportunity Village’s ongoing programs and goals.
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
Opportunity Village was founded in 1954 by seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible. Now, 60 years 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 more than 3,000 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 $6.5 million in 2013. They are hard working 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 $40 million annually.
