Eureka Hosts Christmas Village Event

By CAROL SUE SALDIVAR

Moapa Valley Progress

A special Community Christmas Village was open to the community at the Eureka Resort on Saturday, Dec. 7. The public was invited to come and enjoy a buffet dinner, and then peruse the wares, fundraising items and offerings from a multitude of local charitable organizations. A generous portion of the proceeds from purchased meals at the event will go to the local non-profits.

After dinner, guests were invited to stroll through the colorful village of local charitable organizations. Attendees were able to gather some stocking stuffers, giveaways and treats, enter drawings for great prizes, and learn about some of the services provided by these community organizations.

This is one of the events in Mesquite that offer a glimpse of the many people in our community that help others in so many ways on a daily basis. It’s a way of getting their products, services and faces out there.

The Community Christmas Village event has been taking place for the past 9 or 10 years, according to Gerri Chasko, Director of the Eureka’s Community Initiative, who helped coordinate the event.

“This is right up our alley,” Chasko said. “Greg Lee (President) and Andre Carrier (C.E.O.) came up with the idea. Our first project was for musical instruments for a local school and darned if they didn’t have their instruments in about two weeks.”

This kind of charitable event that gives back to the community is near and dear to Chasko’s heart. “We like to think of projects that help children first,” she said. “Then social services and things that help the community as a whole. This event was started to give the non-profits a way to talk to each other.”
Chasko beams with pride when she says, “I make a phone call, and they’re there to help. These are my partners.”

It was a festive, beautiful and relaxed event that showcased the generosity of the people that make up the non-profit community in Mesquite. These events bring out the best in people, and that sense of giving and community really shines bright.