Our crusading crew of more than 200 generous, dedicated volunteers has won the 2024 Stars of Nevada – Governor’s Points of Light Award for Non-Profit Volunteer Program of the year. This is Nevada’s highest honor for extraordinary achievement in volunteerism and service.
The awards celebrate individuals and organizations who model the values of service, cooperation and compassion. They recognize volunteers who invest their time and talents in helping Nevada’s youth, seniors, veterans, serving military and first responders.
A panel of 22 judges from various Nevada communities and Nevada Volunteers, the primary resource center for volunteer organizations throughout the state, selected the winners in 10 categories.
“Serving Our Kids relies on our incredible team of volunteers to help create and deliver more than 4,000 weekend meal bags every week,” said SOK CEO Laurie Tanakaya. “They are so deserving of this award, they are true community crusaders.”
Laurie entered SOK in the competition and asked Volunteer Coordinator Fran Sarkett to represent SOK throughout the evaluation process. Fran was interviewed by the nominating committee and prepared a short “walk-up” video about SOK’s mission and volunteer crusaders. She was also nominated for Volunteer Manager of the Year.
“When people volunteer for an organization, they have to show up,” Fran stated. “Our people show up and they bring their friends. That’s the only way we get things done. The only way we can serve 4,000 hungry kids every week. I was thrilled just to learn we were a finalist.”
The awards ceremony, hosted by Caesar’s Entertainment on October 24th at the Paris Hotel and casino Champagne Ballroom, was a true Las Vegas event and a worthy tribute to thousands of volunteers who provide essential services and support in almost every community in Nevada. Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony was on hand to thank the volunteers and organizations for their hard work and dedication.
At the moment of truth, Fran and representatives from the two other finalist programs were led to the stage and waited in silence for the verdict.
“My heart was beating so fast,” Fran recalled. “Then it hit me. Holy cow! We’re first!”
The ballroom erupted in applause led by the cheers and fist pumping from Laurie, SOK Chairwoman Lauri Perdue, Vice Chairman and Treasurer Greg Hogan, and volunteer crusaders Karen Victor, Jackie Hunsaker, Andi Ahart, Andrea Stobierski and Pam Kowell at the SOK table. Fran’s walk-up video played as she stepped to the podium to accept the award.
“I was stunned,” Fran said. “But I remember thinking, just don’t say anything stupid!”
Her short speech was vintage Fran. She thanked SOK, our volunteer supervisors and all of our volunteer meal baggers. Then she instructed the audience to go to servingourkids.org and make a donation to support our 13th Annual Golf Tournament.
“I thought, I’m here, everyone’s paying attention, so I should talk about fundraising,” she said. “Hey, why not create some buzz about the Golf Ball Drop? The audience seemed to appreciate it!
“This is a really big deal,” she continued. “We’re the top non-profit volunteer program in the state. It means a lot to be recognized for doing a good job, but it also gives SOK and our mission a big boost. It generates more community awareness and hopefully more support and involvement.”
Fran believes that’s critical because the problem of food insecurity in Southern Nevada seems to be rapidly growing out of control. Last year, there were 90,000 food-insecure kids in Clark County alone. This year, there are 113,000.
“I can’t imagine how bad it would be if schools didn’t have weekday meal programs and Serving Our Kids didn’t provide weekend meal bags,” Fran said. “If this award helps us feed one more hungry kid for one school year, it’s worth a lot more than an Oscar.”