March 2008

Ralph Toddre, president and COO of Sunbelt Communications Company, is the father of three small children, two of whom have autism and other disabilities. Inspired by their needs, Ralph pioneered his brainchild, The Autism Coalition of Nevada (ACON) as founder and executive director. ACON's mission is to unite individual autism groups with families and public and private sector entities into one united coalition. Through his efforts ACON was the driving force behind the 2007 legislation that allocated funding for Nevada's families of children with autism. As a result of his continued dedication, Ralph organized and hosted "The Miracle of Yes" Gala and Fundraiser, bringing additional awareness to Nevadans, gathering statewide public leaders, celebrities and both Northern and Southern Nevada communities, while raising needed funds for autism.

Pastor Troy Martinez's church, the East Vegas Christian Center (EVCC), began nine years ago in a storefront building. Today, EVCC is a 10,000 square foot facility located on five acres at Sunrise Mountain. Pastor Troy founded 10,000 Kids, a non-profit that improves the lives of a minimum of 10,000 kids annually with gang intervention and crystal meth education in Southern Nevada. He is chairman of Las Vegas Crystal Darkness Campaign, educating prevention on methamphetamine use. As the spokesperson of the newly formed Community Interfaith Council (CIC) with the City of Las Vegas, he developed a meth training handbook to be used along with his 10,000 Kids as part of a drug prevention/intervention system. Pastor Troy sits on many committees such as Ready for Life, Southern Nevada Graffiti Coalition and is the Faith Based Community Coordinator for many community programs and initiatives.

Jack Smith has been a resident of Ely, Nev. since he was two-years-old. Throughout his adult life, he has been a strong advocate and volunteer for the community. As one of the organizers of the Ely Renaissance Society (a group of volunteers that joined together restoring historic downtown area through outdoor art), his effectiveness was seen when he undertook the arduous task of making Ely's downtown attractive despite closed businesses, buildings in disrepair, and discouraged merchants. Turning a closed gas station and a community eyesore into an attractive "architectural mural" by using antique gas pumps, delivery truck and bright signs was one of his first successes. During the downtown revival, the town's only department store closed. Jack was instrumental in creating the community owned store that's currently a reality. He continues to work diligently to make his community attractive and viable. Jack's greatest accomplishment has been teaching others to become volunteers through his daily example.

Children's Miracle Network of Southern Nevada has helped children in Southern Nevada receive life-saving services for more than 24 years. CMN is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of children by sponsoring children's hospitals and pediatric units across America. Funds are generated through a number of corporate benefactors hosting local drives and organizing special events of which 100 percent of every dollar raised stays locally to benefit local kids who need it most. CMN was founded on a simple premise: No organization saves, improves, or touches the lives of as many children as hospital. Children require specialized medical care and attention that only children's units can provide, and CMN hospitals are committed to treating every disease and injury that comes to them. Children's Miracle Network of Southern Nevada makes miracles happen.

Pardee Homes started with a special holiday giving project in lieu of an employee party, and ended with the complete renovation of the St Jude's Ranch for Children Campus, which had an estimated value in excess of $1 million. Called Building Hope, and working with HomeAid Southern Nevada, Pardee enlisted more than 100 volunteer subcontractor partners to renovate and refurbish the cottages and grounds that are home to nearly 50 abused, neglected and abandoned children. In addition, Pardee donated furnishings from ten professionally decorated model homes. Then when Pardee won the Hearthstone Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Philanthropy, the prize money was distributed to charities. Pardee employees help the homeless, support schools and education, work with those who mentor youth and pitch in to raise funds and awareness for a variety of health and medical issues.

Lanie Patten, Wooster High School student, became a committed member of the newly formed Key Club (an international organization that focuses on community service and charity work) after being elected treasurer of club elections, even though she knew it would mean building the club and its systems from scratch. Lanie worked all summer long drafting plans on how to keep kids interested, motivated and involved. Because of the systems she developed, Wooster's Key Club is the largest in Reno although the newest. Some of the club's successes include fundraising for the Cardboard Box City Project, the Asthma Walk at Damonte Ranch, and the Walk to Cure Diabetes. In addition, Lanie was the driving force in the club's rummage and bake sale fundraiser helping to send members to the District Key Club Convention. When Lanie sets her mind to something, she achieves it.

Jean Peyton has, since arriving in Las Vegas in 1994, made a marked difference within the blind community through volunteering. She established Senior Vision, a program that brings seniors with vision loss together at monthly luncheons, encouraging peer support as senior citizens face the adjustments to vision loss. Joining others, Jean created the non-profit, Blindconnect, Inc. Their mission is to connect blind people to other blind people, as well as to available services and resources and the community-at-large. She has continued creating programs and organizations that serve the blind community. These include Camp Independence, Vision Forum and Angela's house, the first blindness skills training center in Nevada. Jean is legally blind and travels with her guide dog, Geiger.