GGRM Gives Back
Juvenile Justice Probation Officer’s Association
Members of the Juvenile Justice Probation Officers Association (JJPOA) take pride in forging changes within the community. They strive to restore safety and stability in the homes of the clients they serve, many of which have had direct contact or experience with family court matters. GGRM is honored to help support their mission.
Delivering with Dignity
It would be difficult to find an organization that leapt into action faster than The Moonridge Foundation after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. Only 10 days after being approached by Clark County Commission Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, who foresaw that COVID-19 was like no other health crisis and that a lot of people needing food would not be able to leave their homes, the foundation launched Delivering with Dignity on March 23, 2020, to bring high quality prepared meals directly to the most vulnerable individuals and families in the Las Vegas Valley.
The mission of Delivering with Dignity is twofold: provide healthy, high quality meals and help save the jobs of Las Vegas restaurant workers. Partnering with Elizabeth Blau, the founder and CEO of restaurant development company Blau + Associates, as well as more than 45 nonprofits in Las Vegas, Delivering with Dignity has provided more than 480,000 meals since its inception, serving an average of 10,000 meals per week during the height of the pandemic. The program has also saved the jobs of 57 restaurant workers.
What began as a four-month program is still in full operation, currently delivering 4,500-6,000 restaurant-prepared meals per week at no cost to participants. “We’ll be around as long as the community needs us,” said Tiffany Twohig, executive director of The Moonridge Foundation. “Our ultimate goal is to sustain this program until it is no longer needed.”
GGRM is proud to support organizations like Delivering with Dignity that answer the call to help every day in our community. You can help too, by donating or volunteering to deliver meals. Learn how at https://www.deliveringwithdignitylv.org/
Congratulations Christopher, our November Essential Worker Honoree!
Christopher’s sister, Jodie, proudly nominated him for this award. “I would like to take a few moments to recognize my little brother and all his hard work and dedication- not only to his family, and friends who became family, but to the citizens of the Las Vegas Valley as well. Even if he isn’t chosen for this amazing award, I wanted to just brag a little about just how proud I am as his big sister.”
“Christopher is a single father of 2 boys, works a full-time job, and still takes time to help others in the evenings. While the world was in panic mood not knowing what the future held, my brother went to social media platforms and offered free services to anyone who was elderly, disabled, or financially impacted by COVID,” Jodie boasted. “He upgraded over 300 fire alarms in homes across the Vegas Valley with his own money he had saved up. He also gave out and installed 15 ceiling fans in homes that had elderly people who couldn’t afford to install or purchase the light/fans. He also did several handy man jobs- all for free.”
“As a family we became worried about him exposing himself in homes since we have huge underlying medical conditions, but he assured us he was careful and felt like this was his time to sacrifice and give back to his community. I am one proud sister watching over him always. I can literally talk about this man all day. He is a true gem hidden in our Valley.”
2021 iCare Scholarship
GGRM is a longtime champion and supporter of Lake Mead Christian Academy. This year, we were proud to sponsor the 2021 iCare Scholarship.
All re-enrolling LMCA students in kindergarten through 12th grade as well as any new, incoming enrollees were eligible to apply to win one of four scholarships – $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000. Over 90 applicants submitted essays highlighting one of GGRM’s Core Values – attitude– and four scholarships were awarded to the students selected by their scholarship committee.
Congratulations to the winners: A.J. – 2nd grade, Jocelyn – 5th grade, Londyn – 8th grade, and Kylie – 10th grade
Congratulations Joy, our October Essential Worker Honoree!
Joy’s nominator asked to remain anonymous but was excited to present her for our Essential Workers award. “[Joy] is an amazing healthcare worker who has put in long hours and picked up extra shifts especially during COVID,” her nominator said. “She is always extremely nice and caring towards her patients. She lets them use her phone to talk to loved ones, and always makes sure they are comfortable. She has told stories about how sad she gets if something happens to one of her patients. This shows how much she cares!”
“I think [Joy] deserves this award because she is not only an amazing, caring, hardworking, and kind nurse, she is also an impeccable mother! Even through the crazy times at work she is always there for [her children]. She does everything in the entire world to make them happy while working her butt off at work everyday!”
Supporting SafeNest
Since 1977, SafeNest, has worked tirelessly to shelter, counsel, and protect victims of domestic violence by providing a 24-hour domestic violence hotline, confidential shelter, protection order services, counseling, advocacy, court assistance, and prevention education. This month, we donated $5,000 to support their efforts to end the endemic of domestic violence in Clark County.
“Thank you to the GGRM team for ‘investing in the Nest’ in support of our mission to end the epidemic of domestic violence,” said Laurie Cody, SafeNest VP of Development & Marketing. “Your generous donation will support critical programs and services that help hundreds of survivors move from crisis to confidence.”
SafeNest has answered over 500,000 hotline calls and sheltered over 25,000 individuals since opening its doors in 1977. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence rates in Nevada have surged, along with an escalation in the severity of abuse. SafeNest has experienced a 45% increase in shelter bed nights for victims fleeing abusive situations and a 21% increase in hotline call volume.
For more information, visit www.safenest.org. For immediate help and support, call or text the 24/7 domestic violence hotline at 702-646-4981.
Congratulations Camryn, our September Essential Worker Honoree!
Camryn’s significant other, Brina, was very proud to nominate her as an essential worker. “This woman worked two full time jobs through the pandemic- putting her own health on the line due to underlying medical conditions,” Brina beamed.
Camryn served in two essential positions: one at a restaurant and the other at a grocery store. “She not only worked both jobs, but also took care of her sister and niece when they both contracted the COVID 19 virus,” Brina said. “She made sure they always had liquids and food, and that all their personal needs were cared for.”
“When the crowds were fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant at the grocery store, Camryn made sure the disabled and elderly would get a share of every shipment. While working at the restaurant, she was working several days straight due to the high demand of people requesting to-go services. She is a shining star in our city. I hope she wins !!!”
The Teacher Exchange
The Teacher EXCHANGE Program from The Public Education Foundation gets a big A+ for all they do to help local educators. Our You Matter To Us committee did the math and realized a $5,000 donation to the program would benefit our local teachers and students in a big way.
“GGRM’s donation to the Teacher EXCHANGE will help us provide school supplies at a fraction of the cost so teachers can save on out-of-pocket expenses,” said Kirsten Searer, President, Public Education Foundation, which served nearly 4,000 teachers last year.
Teachers receive up to $500 worth of supplies with their small donation of $26. The teacher’s donation then supports the day-to-day operations of the Teacher EXCHANGE, from the store, warehouse and online operation to the direct-to-school giving program.
Congratulations Cierra, our August Essential Worker Honoree!
Cierra works as a home healthcare nurse. 2020 found her pregnant, and with a 1-year-old. They all contracted COVID-19, yet she remained positive thru the entire experience. She delivered her son with a few complications and went right back to work caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves- putting her own health and safety on the line. She worked thru the entire pandemic, taking care of patients on hospice.
When her family asked her why she’s still working she replied, “If everyone ran every time something bad happened, who would be there to help the ones who can’t help themselves?”
Cierra goes above and beyond caring for the disabled in our valley. This includes her mother who became disabled in an auto accident during Cierra’s senior year of high school. Her dreams of attending college abroad on hold, she graduated with high honors and at the top of her class even amidst the chaos and stress of her mom’s accident.
Cierra regularly spends her own money buying things she knows her patients would love. She is a true star shining in Las Vegas and her family couldn’t be more proud of her.
Her grandmother boasted, “Cierra stepped up as she always does and put her own dreams and happiness on hold for others. I’d love to see her be chosen for such a honorable award.”
With Our Deepest Condolences
We join with the citizens of the Las Vegas valley and the Law Enforcement community in mourning the loss of Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Micah May. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Trooper May received several awards for his service and was honored by the department, receiving the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions in the line of duty earlier this week.
Our support of the Injured Police Officers Fund (IPOF) has been a relationship we are very proud of over the years. The mission of the Injured Police Officers Fund is to help reduce the financial burden suffered by Police Officers and their families in the event of a line of duty injury or death by providing monetary assistance to these Officers and their families.
We’ve recently donated to the IPOF in Trooper May’s name and encourage you to do the same. You can show your support to Vegas’ injured and fallen heroes using any of the links provided below. You can also find out about the vital work of the IPOF by clicking here
July 27, 2021
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Congratulations Tiwaun, our July Essential Worker Honoree!
Tiwaun is a full-time mail carrier who hasn’t missed a beat in making sure all his mail and packages arrived in the direst times, putting his own health on the line. He goes above and beyond for those on his route: buying birthday gifts for kids, taking drink and food to elderly patrons, and has even helped them with toilet paper and essentials. During the worst of the pandemic, he worked 16-hour days making sure everyone received what they needed.
His work doesn’t stop there. At home Tiwaun is a full-time caregiver to his wife, Crystal, who became permanently disabled in a horrible car accident. “Not only did he step up to care for me and 3 kids, when our daughter had the coronavirus, he made sure she had food and medication. He is what I call a hero. Without him our family would’ve never made it thru this pandemic. The world needs more souls like him.”
Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation
Helping first responders is a big part of all we do. When we heard about the Burn Survivors Initiative (BSI) at the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, we knew we had to step up and help support these big-hearted firefighters in what they do to aid burn survivors daily.
“There’s a lot that you need after you’ve had a burn injury, and it can get expensive,” said Keith Armington, executive director for The Burn Foundation. “We provide the basics and ways to find the emotional support they need to thrive over their lifetime.”
The BSI offers support to burn survivors and their families, from the initial hospital stay through the years of treatment. They create opportunities for burn survivors to connect at camps and conferences and ensure they have a wealth of mental and physical support. This donation will help provide sleeping bags and water shoes as well as bandages and medicine for kids who want to attend Camp Beyond the Scars and Winter Burn Camp.
“The gift from GGRM will do a lot in helping families deal with a difficult situation,” Armington said. “It’s donations like this from GGRM that keep us going.”
Honoring Essential Workers
Congratulations Hector, our May Essential Worker Honoree!
Hector’s dedication to his job at Diablo’s Cantina is phenomenal, and he’s always determined to get his customers’ orders right and quick. Hector explains what every dish contains and is also honest, and will tell his customers what his favorite dishes are on the menu.
Hector recently returned to work after being furloughed for about a year and two months due to the pandemic. His restaurant was recently reopened at the beginning of May 2021. Hector was more than thrilled to get back on his feet and do what he loves the most, serving his customers with delicious food.
Henry’s Place Golf Classic
Henry’s Place, a summer camp for inner-city youth, is nearing completion on its facilities and GGRM is proud to help them with their mission. This year, we were the Tournament Sponsor for the Henry Prendes Charity Golf Classic held at Siena Golf Club. In addition to an amazing day of golf, the event featured special guest speaker Jon Ponder, CEO of HOPE for Prisoners, Inc.- an organization committed to helping men, women and young adults successfully reenter the workforce, their families, and our community.
Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation
GGRM was honored to help support the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation (NNCCF) with a $5,000 donation to their annual fundraising golf tournament. The NNCCF is dedicated to serving each family individually and strives to alleviate the financial and emotional strain that follows a cancer diagnosis and is the only nonprofit in northern Nevada solely dedicated to childhood cancer.
The Washoe County law enforcement officers, firefighters, and citizens have competed in this fundraising golf tournament for over nine years raising over $173,000 to support the NNCCF.
We Support Behind the Blue
First responders tend to be the last to ask for help. That’s one of the many reasons we’re excited to join forces with Behind the Blue, a local non-profit that supports officers and their families in crisis.
Behind the Blue supports law enforcement agencies in Southern Nevada by bridging gaps between agencies, families, and the community across different races, backgrounds, religions, cultures, and lifestyles in an effort to establish collaborative support for law enforcement families experiencing catastrophic health events.
Honoring Essential Workers
Congratulations Caryn D. of Henderson Police Department, our first Essential Worker Honoree!
Last month we rolled out our Frontline & Essential Workers recognition program to honor individuals who support our community. Caryn’s co-worker Asher let us know what an amazing asset she is to her team.
“Caryn is not only the glue that holds our office together, but she has even gone out of her way to help some of us with personal life stuff, such as a last-minute need for a notary on a day off and baking tasty banana bread for the officers volunteering to sit on oral boards.” Asher touted. “Even though her workload is heavy and challenging, she is always the first one to arrive, rolls with the punches, and helps keep the team upbeat during tough times… [Caryn] is happy, upbeat, and constantly makes us laugh when the pressure is on.”
5th Annual Cops4Kids Golf Tournament
GGRM participated in the Cops 4 Kids Golf tournament, hosted annually by the Las Vegas Police Managers and Supervisors Association (LVPMSA) Charitable Foundation. It was a beautiful day that helped raise money for organizations such as the Veteran’s Tribute Career and Technical Academy, Ronald McDonald House, Children with Cancer, Katlyn’s Dream, Friends of Metro, Injured Police Officers Fund, James D. Hoff Memorial, Miracle League of Las Vegas, Police Unity Tour, college scholarships, and much more!
Creating Smiles for Sunrise Kids
Kids at Sunrise Children’s Hospital will be waking up to colorful baskets filled to brimming with gifts and goodies from GGRM this Easter morning.
Our annual tradition to give back was a little different this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Rather than assemble 80 Easter baskets for the young patients at Sunrise, everything needed to be delivered from the store to the hospital. Brightly colored peeps, jellybeans, and chocolate bunnies with tempting ears weren’t allowed as a precaution.
That didn’t stop us from getting creative! We looked at their wish list and shopped for teethers, board books, and cheery stuffed animals for the roughly 25 infants and babies. We popped in painting boards, jewelry kits, and crafts for the older kids among other fun items to make this a memorable holiday.