Annual M.V. Resources Fair Held To Inform Community

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The third annual Moapa Valley Community Resources Fair was held last Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Clark County Fairgrounds.The event brought many federal, state, county and local agencies and organizations to town to provide information about services available to those who need it.

About 80 people attended the event which was sponsored by the Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP). Logandale resident, Larry Griffiths organized the Resouces Fair. “There is a lot of information and resources out there but most people do not know where to go to get the help available,” Griffiths said.

One local vendor was “Aspire Center for Adolescents and Adults”, a non-profit group started by Greg and Mary Lee Winzenried who reside in Logandale. They recognized that there are no local services for special needs kids after graduation from public school.

“We have identified 50 families in Moapa Valley who need, and would benefit from, services such as drop-in respite care, recreational activities, parent support, counseling and more,” Greg Winzenried said.

Another agency who provided information was the Red Cross. Representing that organization at the Resource Fair was Diane Orgill. Orgill said she wished more people knew about all the things the Red Cross offers.

“Many people think we are just available after hurricanes and to do blood drives,” Orgill said. “We offer so much more than that, including home safety check lists, installing fire alarms, sometimes just listening to people after a disaster. This job is hard, easy, and heart-breaking but we do it because we want to help people.”

Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick was also in attendance and mentioned that she “never misses an opportunity to connect with the community in any way that I can.” She even said she would look personally into a matter involving someone who would qualify for disability.

The Muhlestein family of Overton went to the Resources Fair. “We came as a family activity to bring our children and see what resources are available to kids,” said Rebecca Muhlestein.

Other services agencies in attendance last Saturday included Nevada Legal Services, State of Nevada Social Services, St. John’s Catholic Church, The Compassionate Friends, Nevada Museums of History, Nevada Health Link, Senior Medicare Patrol, Moapa Valley Family Resource Center, JustServe.org and more.

“The event had a very small turnout,” said Griffiths. “But if we only helped one person, it was worth all the effort. From the comments I heard from those attending, many people will be helped because of the contacts made at the Resources Fair.”