By LAURA ROBISON
The Progress
Local youth play water games on a warm night at the Operation Underground Railroad fundraiser held Saturday at the Clark County Fairgrounds. PHOTO BY LAURA ROBISON/The Progress
The Moapa Valley community came out in droves last weekend to support a worthy cause. The Moapa Valley Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) fundraiser was held on Saturday, August 20 at the Clark County Fairgrounds. It was an event held to raise funds and raise awareness for the prevention of human trafficking and exploitation. But it was also a family event with something to offer for all ages.
“This is our third year doing this fundraiser,” said Logandale resident Erika Whitmore, who helped coordinate the event. “A group of us got together in 2019 and are passionate about helping in the fight to save children from horrible human traffickers. One hundred percent of the funds raised at this event go directly to the NOSTRA Foundation to provide the tools needed to give care and rescue to these families”.
About 330 people attended the event and more than $8,000 was raised locally for the cause.
Teen Leadership Corps (TLC) students sell snow cones at the Operation Underground Railroad fundraiser held last Saturday at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Pictured at right are: Kali Kynaston, Gracie Leavitt, Talon Newsom, Kinsley Mulcock, Emme Bowler and Faith Kelly. PHOTO BY LAURA ROBISON/The Progress
There were many ways families could give. A bake sale offered delicious treats that had been donated to the event by community members. Volunteers from the Moapa Valley Fire District prepared the hot dogs for a $5 dinner with dogs, fries and soda. The 4-H Teen Leadership Corps sold snow cones to the crowd. T-shirts were also sold and bid on in a silent auction with many great items that had been donated by local businesses and individuals.
There were also lots of activities and fun for the little ones. These include bounce houses, water games, children’s games and more.
Amy Warburton and Emily Reid manned the silent auction table.
“This year there were more donations than ever before,” Warburton said. “These items are usually a big hit and raise a lot of funds.”
The silent auction included mystery bags, baby gift baskets, oral care packages, a spa day basket, USA gift bags, meals from a local food truck, a care basket of the car, essential oils, a Bosch drill, a date night basket, a summer fun basket, a metal American flag with the Pledge of Allegiance engraved and more. There were even tickets to “Amystika,” the most recent show by Las Vegas illusionist Criss Angel.
Mike and Bev Qualheim attended the event and said they had a great time.
“I’m very supportive of OUR organization,” said Bev. “They do great things.”
“We all need to be aware of this problem and help where we can,” added Mike.
Kayla Patterson was also at the fairgrounds with her family. “I have a second grader and it’s my job to keep him safe,” Patterson said. “So of course I would be here to spread the word and donate to this worthy cause. What if this was my son who this happened to? How could I live with myself if I didn’t do what I could to help anyone child in these terrible situations.”
Event planning committee members Emily Reid, Amy Warburton, Jamie Burt, Michelle Anderson, Wynette Bodily, Erika Whitmore, Wendy Mulcock, Dianna Walker, Katie Solomon and Sandy Reese expressed their gratitude to all who made the event was a success.
“This wouldn’t be possible without each donation and the many, many volunteers who have been planning this for months,” Warburton said.
To donate to the OUR Foundation, please contact Erika Whitmore at 702-858-2356 or one of the other committee members. For more information on the operation of the Underground Railroad, visit www.ourescue.org.
