Representatives from all 42 Las Vegas-based organizations were awarded a total of $190,000 from Cox Charities surpassing the previous year’s donation from Cox Charities Giving Campaign.

Cox Las Vegas employees have done it again! At the 2012 Cox Charities Giving Campaign presentation on March 7 it was announced that 42 Southern Nevada non-profit organizations were awarded $190,000 from Cox Charities. This amount exceeds the 2011 award distribution of $171,000 and represents the largest grant amount in the campaign’s five-year history.
                                                       
Representatives from all 42 organizations received a standing ovation from some 800 Cox Las Vegas employees who gathered at a Texas Station ballroom to be part of the grant-giving ceremony. 

This was the first time for the Ronald McDonald House Charities to receive a grant from Cox Charities. “Nothing could prepare me for the excitement of yesterday’s award ceremony; we are so honored to Cox for choosing us for this financial support,” said Alyson McCarthy, Ronald McDonald House Charities executive director. “This grant means more families will be served through our Lunch Is On Us Program.”

The RMHC Lunch Is On Us Program prepares and delivers home-made healthy sack lunches to local families with sick and injured children in the hospital. Four-year-old cancer patient Leeland and his grandfather Robert, who were also in attendance at the meeting, are beneficiary of the program. 

“I am so appreciative of the love and support you have shown us today,” Robert said. And Leeland, who was obviously thrilled, showed his appreciation with a “wow” and a big smile as he demonstrated his secret handshake on stage while he accepted his new toy trucks, Digi doll and gift cards.

“It (Cox Charities) really says a lot about the character of your company and the employees that in these tough economic times, they are still willing to reach and help others in our community who are in need,” said McCarthy.
  In 2011, 37 non-profits benefited from $171,000 in Cox Charities donations. Since its inception five years ago, employees in the Las Vegas System have donated close to $600,000 to Cox Charities, to benefit local non-profits in Southern Nevada.

“Our employees consistently show their generosity to our community through their donations to Cox Charities,” said Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Las Vegas. “We are tremendously proud to support these diverse Southern Nevada organizations and the very important programs each offer.”

Cox Charities is funded primarily by Cox employee contributions and a variety of fundraisers including an annual Cox Employee Golf Tournament. Employees also make up the committee that reviews and selects the grant recipients. The Cox Charities Advisory Board, also employee-led, approves the grants and awards the monies.

Recipients of the Cox Charities grants support Southern Nevada’s children, families and/or education, including programs focused on S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. Each non-profit must also possess a 501(c) status, and apply to receive a grant through the Cox Charities application process.

The largest Las Vegas Cox Charities donation also came during a milestone for the company as it celebrates its 50 Year Anniversary. Cox, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, started in 1962 as Cox Cable. The company changed its name to Cox Communications in 1964. Cox Communications is located in 17 states, and many of these locations manage a Cox Charities program independently.

Non-profits receiving a 2012 Cox Charities Giving Campaign grant include, Assistance League of Las Vegas, Blindconnect, Inc., Children’s Heart Foundation, Cultural Diversity Foundation, Inc., EDG Robotics, FRC Team 987 at Cimarron-Memorial High School, Horses4Heroes, I Have a Dream Foundation-Las Vegas, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, MIND Research Institute, Miracle Flights for Kids, Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation, Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, Nevada Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation, Nevada Child Seekers, Nevada Community Associates, Inc., Project REAL, Special Olympics Nevada, Spread the Word Nevada, The Center, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of SN, The Public Education Foundation, The Salvation Army Clark County, Together We Can, 100 Black Men of Las Vegas, Inc., American Red Cross, Southern Nevada Chapter, Anthony L. Pollard Foundation, Baby’s Bounty, Best Buddies Nevada, Blind Center of Nevada, Inc., Club Christ Ministries, Corner4Success Charitable Foundation, Easter Seals of Southern Nevada, Family and Child Treatment of Southern Nevada (FACT), Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Inc., Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Nevada Diabetes Association, Olive Crest, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living, The Shade Tree, Women’s Development Center.