Las
Vegas got a taste of Christmas Cheer Thursday as Opportunity Village kicked
off registration for the 2012 Las Vegas Great Santa Run with a “Christmas in
July” opening ceremony. The rollercoaster platform at New York-New York was
filled with Santas riding reindeer (a.k.a. the rollercoaster at New York-New
York), hanging out with Mrs. Clauses (festively clad Vegas showgirls) and even
receiving presents (the “World Santa Challenge” trophy!). Yes – Christmas was
in the air.
The
highlight of the ceremony was when Alan Rothwell, Event Director of the
Liverpool Great Santa Run returned the “World Santa Challenge” trophy to Las
Vegas and Opportunity Village as a result of last year’s record-breaking
participation. “We are so excited we have won the championship for the most
Santa Clauses…in the world,” said Linda Smith, Associate Executive Director of
Opportunity Village.
The
2012 Las Vegas Great Santa Run will be held on December 1 at Town Square;
please visit the website to register. Las Vegas set the “World Santa Challenge”
record last year with 8,123 participants. Opportunity Village is partnering
with several companies in the community to make this year’s run an even bigger
success.
“[New
York-New York’s] Liberty Torch organization has adopted Opportunity Village,”
said Cynthia Kiser Murphey, President and COO of New York-New York. “We
volunteer at events. We raise awareness in the community about its services; we
are actually customers of the services that Opportunity Village provides.”
In
addition to representatives from New York-New York and Opportunity Village,
Great Santa Run sponsors from Circle K, Town Square and Real Water were in
attendance to pledge their support. “We are so happy that Alan from Liverpool
could come all this way,” said Brent Jones, Founder and CEO of Real Water.” I
just want to say I’m sorry were going to send you back empty handed again [next
year].”
The
perfect finale included vocalist George Dare serenading the crowd with the
official Las Vegas Great Santa Run song, “Run Santa Run!” followed by dozens of
team captains dressed like the big guy in red taking off on the rollercoaster
while cheering for Opportunity Village.
That
evening, team captains, sponsors and media enjoyed a night of festivities and
fun at the kickoff after party at The Sporting House.
About
Opportunity Village
Opportunity
Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people in our community
with significant intellectual disabilities, enriching their lives and the lives
of the families who love them by providing meaningful work and life
experiences. Opportunity Village is Nevada’s largest employer of people with
disabilities and serves nearly 2000 individuals annually, providing vocational
training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services
that make their lives more productive and interesting.
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