Following Monday's horsemanship competition the contestants, judges, and chaperons visited Las Vegas' Opportunity Village. Founded by a group made up of 7 families in 1954, Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people throughout southern Nevada with intellectual disabilities, to enhance their lives and the lives of the families who love them. Opportunity Village is dedicated to helping people with severe intellectual and related disabilities become the very best they can be. Through vocational training, employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation, people with severe disabilities are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration and unleash creative passions.
Upon arrival the group was treated to a BBQ buffet lunch complete with coleslaw, spicy beans and three types of meat. Everyone received a gift bag complete with tickets to the Bette Midler show and Opportunity Village's Magical Forest. Chief Development Officer Linda Smith spoke to the group about her history and involvement with Opportunity Village and provided an overview of the programs provided.
Three groups of contestants and chaperons then toured part of the campus. Each year businesses from throughout Las Vegas sponsor areas of the Magical Forest. There are over 320 permanent, live tress that feature larger than life decorations. The Village includes buildings, figurines and millions of lights. The area also includes a carousel and big slide and everyone, including the chaperons, enjoyed a ride and a slide.
A tour of the employment facilities was both moving and uplifting. In the employment center clients were packing gift baskets for a local casino, wrapping dinnerware for use by airlines and completing a myriad of other jobs that enable each client to earn a paycheck. Clients do many different jobs including making buttons (we each received a special Miss Rodeo America button), shredding documents and cleaning offices throughout Vegas. Former jobs include making the scarves Elvis passed out during his concerts and making buttons for political campaigns.
The visit was finished with a video featuring a client and his mother. The client was a young boy when an accident left him severely brain damaged. Opportunity Village provided a place where her son could receive physical therapy and make a contribution to his community while earning an income. The Great Santa Run is held on the first Saturday of December and in 2007 set a world record of having 7,269 Santa's running down the Fremont Street Experience. Many of Vegas' celebrities attend the event and the community turns out in full force. The 2008 Santa Run will be held on December 6 and event organizers are gearing up to set another world record. A booth will be set up at Wednesday night's WNFR Downtown Hoedown for race registrations and many of the Miss Rodeo America Lady-in-Waiting titleholders will be helping register runners.
Of all of my experiences in Las Vegas this trip was the most touching and uplifting. While in Vegas for your WNFR experience I would highly recommend visiting the Magical Forest and supporting Opportunity Village. If you would like to learn more visit their website.
~ Bobbie
