![]() Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas), attend the tree-lighting ceremony at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent) Dignitaries, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Rep. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent) Guests ride the Forest Express Passenger Train at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent) Thousands of holiday decorations light up the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent) Guests ride Cheyenne's Enchanted Carousel at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent) Guest arrive to visit the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. Take a peek at this year's winter wonderland through the lens of The Nevada Independent photographer Jeff Scheid: Santa Claus greets visitors to the. Opportunity Village officials say every dollar spent at the Magical Forest goes toward programs or services for the more than 3,000 people with disabilities the organization serves. Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas), to the Opportunity Village campus on Oakey Boulevard. The resurgence of twinkling lights and carousel rides brought a steady stream of children and adults, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Rep. The holiday display, which has become a Las Vegas tradition, remained dark last year because of COVID-19. The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village kicked off its 30th season Friday evening with a tree-lighting ceremony and the usual sparkling array of festive lights and decor. Here, and for charities across the valley.A bit of holiday magic missing from last year's celebrations has returned. Their communication skills, their physical skills because they’re not as active and doing as much during the day.”īrown says the plan is to re-light the forest next year.īut for now, the pathways are quiet, and the train sits empty.Įxpect a tough holiday season. “And what we really saw a lot of our clients when they’re at home, their skills degrade. ![]() The world has changed and they're not quite sure why,” says Brown. “Our clients, a lot of them have a hard time understanding what's going on. In the meantime, the OV campuses themselves can only operate at 50% capacity by state mandate. Another big fundraiser, the annual Santa Run, will be a virtual event this year. Without money from the Magical Forest, it’s hoped the community will support Opportunity Village in other ways: a purchase at the thrift store, or an online donation. “Everything goes to pay them, and keep them employed and give them the training they need to succeed in the community,” adds store manager, Todd Riechers. ![]() “They hang the clothes and then bring them to us right here and we tag and size them.” “There's a lot to do,” she says, while helping sort through donations. Money raised through both events helps provide vocational training and job placement for people with intellectual disabilities.Ĭlients like Gracie Salazar who’s worked at the Opportunity Village Thrift store on South Decatur for ten years. “We were halfway through that project and it just wasn't right, we can't do it.” “We had a really exciting haunted house we were going to do,” says Brown. The annual HallOVeen celebration is canceled too. “This is such a community event, the Magical Forest is a gift we give the Las Vegas community every holiday season.”īrown says it came down to safety, with major concerns about social distancing and crowd control. “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” says President & CEO Bob Brown. The popular attraction has been welcoming families for more than 30 years and generates nearly $1 million a season for the non-profit. The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village won’t be opening in 2020 due to COVID-19.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |