Major Story

Opportunity Village is a 100% local Las Vegas not-for-profit organization, raising 80% of its own annual $11 million operating budget wile continuing to be self-sufficient. Economic impact studies show that it has saved Nevada’s taxpayers almost $1 billion in its fifty year history (Ed Guthrie, Opportunity Village Executive Director.) It serves people with intellectual disabilities and has been for 54 years. This charity helps them by providing them with vocational training, employment for future jobs, and social recreation services that make their lives much more and fulfilling. There are a variety of programs and services they carry. Many individuals in our city raise awareness and much needed funds to support the very special people they serve.

Opportunity Village Fundraiser

Some of the benefits the disabled have are long term work experience. It’s common that short-term job placements that come today and gone tomorrow. Instead, Opportunity Village has commodities and services through negotiations with local businesses. These businesses are effective and can help even people with severe disabilities get long-term stable employment. Usually, this is their only vocational option.

Celebrities like Siegfried and Roy help out with events. Taken with OV Staff- Caesars Palace

At this organization, they get a lot with vocational training and employment programs. The disable have a chance to develop important job skills that offer a variety of opportunities for higher placement for each person. With the learning experience they get, they grow and enhance their abilities. Some are able to grasp new assignments and eventually get to higher levels of difficulty. With the classes and important vales they learn, it prepares them for more jobs, whether it be within Opportunity Village Work Centers, or at other jobs throughout the community.

Furthermore, Opportunity Village has paid over 2.5 million in wages to people in the community who are known to be unemployable. Having done this, it allows people with significant disabilities to be independent, self-sufficient and more involved and productive in the community. Donations come from cash gifts, deferred gifts, real estate, appreciated securities, and in kind gifts. Here is a link to how there 990 form works.

Document Shredding is done there. They provide document destruction services to leading banks, gaming properties, small businesses and government entities. They wanted to become the best in the industry. Nonetheless, they agreed with the demands of the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID), they accomplished their standards and became Nevada’s leading document destruction facility.

They have numerous events being held throughout the year. One of the most popular events that take place every year is called the Magical Forest, which operates nightly. They have million of lights, festive displays on the entire campus, new attractions and exciting rides for kids. Check out their calender for upcoming events.

I had a chance to interview Holly Spoor, Resource Development Director. She answers questions having to do with the organization and talks about celebrities that have contributed. This is what she had to say…

Overall, year after year they are proud to be honored as Las Vegas’ favorite charity in the RJ’s “Best of Las Vegas” reader poll. With your contribution you will keep everything secure and stable for the future of Opportunity Village and leave a lasting legacy for many years to come.

Below is an inspiring video of a girl named Dana whos life changed forever after being in a serious car accident. Her family turned to Opportunity Village when she became disabled.

Citmedialaw.org

The website Paris Exposed has stirred up some trouble. Paris Hilton sued Bardia Persa, Nabil Haniss, Nabila Haniss and number of other defendants in January 2007 for copyright infringement. The case had everything to do with the website. It offered viewers to see personal materials belonging to Hilton without her consent. Such as, her medical records, bank account information, credit card information, contracts and other legal documents, diaries, home videos, and photographs. Hilton had stored all this personal information in a storage unit in California. Due to a billing mix-up, she alleged that the storage facility foreclosed on her unit. The contents were then sold at a foreclosure auction. Nabil and Nabila Haniss purchased the materials for $2,775 which they sold to the operators of the Paris Exposed website for a large sum of money.

Hilton’s complaint, filed in federal court in California. Hanisses appeared in the action in February 2005. The federal district court granted Hilton a temporary restraining. This barred the defendants from infringing her copyrights, publishing her private materials, and using her name. The court granted Hilton, in late February 2005 a temporary injunction barring Bardia Persa from infringing her copyrights, publishing her private materials, and using her name. Later, in the ruling, she found out that Hanisses had no part in the operating website. Persa, apparently a resident of St. Kitts, never appeared in the action.

Hilton settled with Nabila Haniss in September 2007 and dismissed the lawsuit against her. In October 2007, Hilton decided to withdrew her lawsuit against the remaining defendants, none of whom ever appeared in the action. The Paris Exposed website is still up and running.

Food Stamps

Using food stamps, living on a tight food-budget may be more difficult then ever. With the economy and prices growing higher, food is becoming more expensive. The poor can’t possibly survive on government handouts.

On average, food stamps are now providing less than two weeks of groceries. The amount a person can use for a week is $22.75 a week for food. This narrows it down to using only a very limited amount a day, which comes to only $3.25. It may seem almost impossible. What can a person eat for a $1.08 per meal?

According to My Saving Place, some of the things people should buy with food stamps are dried beans for putting in tacos, bean dip, soups, chilies, salads and more. Other items are canned salmon, eggs and whole grain bread. Furthermore, eating a significant amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

With proper meal planning and deal shopping this can be accomplished. With proper meal planning, you can make your budget stretch out pretty darned far and still manage to eat real food. Otherwise, planning the menus and analyzing the food costs will be the most challenge.