For the past 17 years, the Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation and the Southern Highlands Community Association have proudly hosted a Memorial Day Celebration. An opportunity for families and the community to come together for fun, food, fireworks, and patriotic celebration, this high-spirited annual event has also served to support our long-term community partner Operation Warm Heart.

Typically, money is raised at the event through the sales of food, drinks, and raffle tickets. Since this year’s event had to pivot to a socially distant format with fireworks only, the fundraising opportunity for the nonprofit was unavailable.

Although the event changed, the need to support our military families did not change. The Southern Highlands Builders Co-op, whose member builders include Blue Heron, Century Communities, Lennar, Pulte Homes, Tuscan Highlands, William Lyon Homes, and Woodside Homes, kick started the fundraising efforts with an initial $3,500 donation.

To further support the cause, Garry Goett and the entire Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation team generously contributed a $15,000 donation to this vital and charitable organization.

Established to provide financial assistance to the men and women of Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases, Operation Warm Heart is dedicated to the support of the Las Vegas military community. With an unyielding focus on supplementing financial relief during emergency situations and on promoting the health, welfare, and morale of the Las Vegas military community, the non-profit organization aims to provide monetary assistance to Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors who are in need.

The Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation and Southern Highland Community Association have long been proud supporters of Operation Warm Heart. In addition to the annual Memorial Day Celebration, other community-focused events including the Winter Festival and Tree Lighting and the Governor’s Black-Tie events have also served to support this worthy organization.

[Click here] to watch the finale from MIX 94.1’s Facebook Live post.

A perennial favorite among residents, the 17th annual Memorial Day event was a fun-filled, family day filled with field games, food, drinks, water slides, live music, face-painting, a fireworks extravaganza, and more. Co-hosted by the Southern Highlands Community Association and Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation (OCSHCF), more than 3,000 people enjoyed the free community-focused event at Olympia Sports Park honoring the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

While admission to the family-friendly event was free, all funds collected through raffle ticket and food and beverage sales went directly to support Nellis and Creech Air Force Base’s Operation Warm Heart – a private, non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to local airmen and their families.

The event collected more than $18,000, which was then increased by the OCSHCF at the generous direction of foundation founder and CEO of Olympia Companies, Garry Goett, elevating the total donation to the local non-profit organization to $32,000.

Making the event even more special and adding to the outdoor fun, the day included the Presentation of Colors by Nellis Honor Guard. The talented Barbershop Quartet from Desert Oasis High School sang the national anthem prior to the impressive fireworks finale.

“There is no better way to celebrate Memorial Day than by joining together with family, friends, and neighbors in a beautiful outdoor setting all while raising money to support such a noteworthy organization that focuses on helping the selfless men and women in our community who serve our country,” said Angela Rock, Executive Director of OCSHCF.

To date, Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation has presented approximately $120,000 in donations for Operation Warm Heart through its annual Memorial Day Celebration and other efforts and events throughout the year.

Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation Makes a $1.3 Million Splash for Nine Local Charities at First-Ever Pancake Breakfast and Pool Party

Recently, Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation hosted its first-ever special celebratory Pancake Breakfast and Pool Party to present nine local charities with proceeds raised at this year’s 19^th annual Governor’s Black-Tie event. Representatives from the local charities including; Andson, Assistance League of Nevada, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada, Candlelighters, Children’s Heart Foundation, Discovery Children’s Museum, Folded Flag Foundation, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and Opportunity Village were invited to bring a delegation from their respective organizations for a fun-filled morning at The Spa at Southern Highlands featuring a delicious breakfast, poolside activities, a swim party, and of course – the checks!

Upon arrival, founder of Olympia Companies SH Charitable Foundation and CEO of Olympia Companies, Gary Goett, presented each of the nine charities with oversized checks. Nearly 160 attendees joined together for photo-ops celebrating the successful, philanthropic endeavors to improve the quality of life of women and children in Southern Nevada.

Following the check presentation, attendees enjoyed a hot breakfast served buffet-style on the lawn that included pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes, baked goodies, juices and a live-action omelet station.

Once given the green light that the pool was open, the kids cashed in on their party favors supplied by OCSHCF that included beach balls, bubble wands, sunscreen, water toys and more and made a splash. Properly equipped for maximum fun, it was finally party time! Having set up dozens of yard games on the lawn including a water balloon toss, a grass-painted soccer field, a giant toppling Jenga game, oversized hopscotch, and much more, kids had the choice between swimming, playing games, hamming it up with props in the photo booth, getting a couple of temporary tattoos, or even opting for a colorful face painting!

It is estimated that over 100 naps were taken later in the day, and although tummies were full, hearts were even fuller as the Pancake Pool Party and Check Presentation came to a close. With that, we’d like to thank each and every one who joined us for yet another fun-filled and memorable event.