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SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY "Josh was just 12 years old, but look at the difference one kid can make." —DREW STEVENS continued from page 40 because they'd get something in return. We've given away nearly 90,000 of them to date. Josh's school, Bob Miller Middle School, was the first school to reach out to the foundation to express interest in being part of what we were doing to honor our Be Kind bracelets are awarded to son. We printed up some children who shirts that said Be Kind on them, and that's where display acts of kindess to others. our shirt campaign began. The foundation has touched more than 200 schools in Clark County, and now it is spreading to seven additional states as well as other parts of Nevada. We had a teacher move from Las Vegas to Park Rapids, Minnesota, and when she began her new job, she convinced the principal that the Be Kind message was important. She even got the local hospital involved, and they supported the program financially for the first two years to implement the Josh Stevens Foundation and the Be Kind message in every school in Park Rapids. Our message has spread to Florida by way of the We Care We Share Foundation, which is also helping to implement the message in six schools in New Orleans. There are several schools in Sammamish, Washington, that are on board, so it's launching there next school year. The Be Kind message has also spread to San Diego, Anchorage, and Bixby, Oklahoma. I was recently in Dayton, Nevada, and this kid—he was about five-foot-10, 200 pounds, an eighth grader—came up to me and started crying. He said, 'Mr. Stevens, I wanted to let you know that my life has changed forever and that the bullying at Dayton Intermediate School will stop today.' I said, 'How do you know that?' He said, 'I'm the guy. I'm the bully, and it's going to end today. It's over. It's done.' That's what keeps me going to schools. A few years ago, we were hoping that the example Josh set by treating others with tremendous passion and kindness would continue to shine and make a difference in schools, and that's what's happening. I tell students I talk to that Josh was just an average 12-year-old boy. He wasn't rich or a big rap star or famous athlete. He was just 12 years old, but look at the difference one kid can make. I talk to the kids about leaving a legacy, and I ask them, 'How will people remember you? Do you want to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the lives of others—or as someone who was rude and cruel and mean? Your legacy is taking place every day.' I'd give anything to spend just one minute with Josh so I could kiss him and love him, but I'm so proud of the legacy he has left and how he's being remembered. The fact that people are using his kind heart as an inspiration is really, really amazing. If he was standing with me at these schools where hundreds of kids are wearing Be Kind T-shirts, I think Josh would be embarrassed, but in a beautiful way." joshstevensfoundation.org V 42 Charity Regist er OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE. NCMEC CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Event: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), cofounded by John Walsh of America's Most Wanted, invites celebrities and sponsors to tee up at the Tournament Players Club for their 14th annual golf tournament. Details: January 10, Tournament Players Club Las Vegas; missingkids.com CHEFS FOR KIDS 5K RUN/WALK Event: This 5K Run/Fun Walk supports Chefs for Kids' efforts to eliminate malnutrition in children. Every participant will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt, goodie bag, and pancake breakfast. Details: January 19, Wayne Bunker Family Park; chefsforkids.org BLACK & WHITE BALL Event: The Nevada Ballet Theatre honors celebrated dancer, singer, and actress Mitzi Gaynor as its 2013 Woman of the Year at the annual Black & White Ball. Guests will mingle with local celebrities, dignitaries, VIPs, and arts supporters at the event sponsored by Cartier. Details: January 26, Bellagio; nevadaballet.com LAPS FOR CHARITY Event: Drive three laps around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 75 mph to help support local children in need. All proceeds will benefit Speedway Children's Charities, which has been funding children's organizations in Southern Nevada since 1999. Details: January 27, Las Vegas Motor Speedway; lasvegas.speedwaycharities.org AFSP COMMUNITY WALK Event: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) invites the community to join them for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Fundraising will benefit suicide research, education, prevention advocacy, and survivor research. Details: February 9, Centennial Hills Park; afsp.donordrive.com THE COLOR RUN Event: Runners and walkers of all speeds are welcome at this crazy and colorful 5K benefiting Three Square Food Bank. Details: February 16, North Las Vegas Boulevard; thecolorrun.com PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE JOSH STEVENS FOUNDATION (DETWILER), THE COLOR RUN (RUNNER); BY CORKY BUCZYK (BRACELET), JOHN SHEARER/GETTY IMAGES FOR VANITY FAIR (GAYNOR), NOEL VASQUEZ/GETTY IMAGES (WALSH) Drew Stevens speaking at Ollie Detwiler Elementary School. VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 040-042_V_SP_SpiritofGen_Win13.indd 42 1/2/13 2:10 PM