Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
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SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY continued from page 54 the spirit of GGG stayed with him and has spread across the country; on every fourth Thursday in November, the organization now feeds and clothes thousands of homeless people in LA, Vegas, New York, Santa Monica, Austin, San Francisco, and Houston. "It was one of those things where there wasn't much planning," Van Dam says. "It just happened." On Thanksgiving morning in Las Vegas, people come out of the wood- work bearing donations, Van Dam says. Even his mom gets in on the action, cooking dozens of turkeys the night before. An assembly line forms off Fremont Street to box up the warm meals, and then GGG hits the streets. To catch people's attention, the care packages are driven around in flashy vehicles, like the hot wheels donated by Vegas's own Danny Koker, of the History Channel's Counting Cars. Van Dam estimates that the organization was able to feed more than a thousand people in Las Vegas last year. "People just come and have such good intentions, and it all works out," he says. "It's such an awesome experience, the natural high you get—even if just for one day."—JK V HOW YOU CAN HELP Three Square: "Fight Holiday Hunger" runs from November 12 through the end of the year to raise matched funds, providing holiday meals to those in need. "Normally for every dollar we raise, we can provide three meals," says Erica Thompson, director of corporate giving. "Our corporate matching funds doubles that." threesquare.org The Animal Foundation: Scheduled and drop-in volunteers are always needed at The Animal Foundation, as are donations. animalfoundation.com Gobble Gobble Give: Volunteers and donations of funds or food are welcome Thanksgiving Day. gobblegobblegive.org Charity Regist er OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE. EVENING OF CABARET Event: The Brady Bunch and Broadway star Florence Henderson will headline the fourth annual Evening of Cabaret to benefit Aid For AIDS of Nevada (AFAN). Founded in 1984, AFAN provides support for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. Details: November 8, 8 PM, The Smith Center; afanlv.org CAMELOT AT THE MAGICAL FOREST Event: Opportunity Village's black-tie dinner gala honors Bill and Susan Walters of the Walters Family Campus at OV, which provides education, training, and employment opportunities for hundreds of people with intellectual disabilities. Details: November 15, Opportunity Village at the Magical Forest, Oakey Campus; opportunityvillage.org FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON Event: Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada will celebrate a fall fashion show at Spago (Wolfgang Puck Senior Managing Partner Tom Kaplan, PICTURED) showcasing Neiman Marcus fashions with a three-course lunch, raffle, and auction. Make-A-Wish is a grassroots organization that fulfills the wishes of children with life- threatening medical conditions. Details: November 15, Spago at The Forum Shops at Caesars; snv.wish.org IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE GALA Event: The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus will honor Elie Wiesel with the eighth annual In Pursuit of Excellence Award. The award is granted to leaders who work on behalf of the community, provide philanthropic support, and demonstrate high moral standards. Details: November 17, Venetian; adelsoncampus.org WALK ME HOME… Adan Van Dam (CENTER, STANDING) and some Gobble Gobble Give volunteers pass out food downtown this past Thanksgiving. TO THE PLACE I BELONG Event: The National Foster Parent Association will hold the fifth annual 5k walk to raise awareness and funds to support the 513,000 children in foster care in America. Help by walking or simply sponsor a walker. Details: November 17, Springs Preserve; firstgiving.com/ walkmehome 56 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN HAINER (GOBBLE GOBBLE); JONATHAN LEIBSON/FILMMAGIC (HENDERSON); PAUL ZIMMERMAN/WIREIMAGE (WIESEL)