Reno-Sparks – Receives Funds from Nevada’s Big Give

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Nevada’s Big Give is a daylong campaign to raise money for nonprofits across the state.

“There’s more than 200 nonprofits; 75 of those are in northern Nevada,” said Mary Ellen Horan, Executive Director of Arts for All Nevada.

Donations are accepted online and for the first time, The Lake Mansion in downtown Reno served as the campaign’s northern Nevada headquarters.

“It’s a way to get people down here and see all the things we do here at Arts for All Nevada,” Horan said. “We have a lot of information about other nonprofits here too. We are an amazing community and we really come together to do the right thing.”

Donations there help Arts for All Nevada put on classes and workshops.

“On Saturday we have our Youth Art Month Festival,” Horan said. “It’s totally free and we have eight different workshops for kids, free books, face painting and tours of the mansion.”

The Assistance League of Reno-Sparks also benefited from the Big Give. The group uses those funds to run 12 programs.

“We just want to help people that need help,” said Janis Bernardo of the Assistance League of Reno-Sparks. “We want to sustain all of our programming so we can continue to give food for seniors. We provide a place for seniors to sell their crafts and we also provide clothing for children in need through our “Operation School Bell®.”

She says over the years they’ve been able to reach out to more people in the community.

“We’ve expanded our programs; a couple of years ago we were only able to give to about 250 seniors. Now, we’re up to about 350 every month.”

The Big Give ran from midnight to midnight March 10, 2016.

View the video clip.