Compassionate Capitalism - December 2001

THE MAGICAL FOREST

A LEGACY OF LOVE

by Kathleen Foley

In 1954, a group of parents gathered together in a living room in Henderson to discuss ways to provide better lives for their children with mental retardation and other disabilities. In those days, public education wasn’t an option, and employment for people with disabilities was almost non-existent. Out of that meeting, Opportunity Village was born.

Today, Opportunity Village can look back at a rich legacy of thousands of lives that have been changed through its programs. Vocational training, contract employment, advocacy and residential assistance are just a few of the services that Opportunity Village offers to people with disabilities, helping them earn real paychecks and improving life for themselves and their families throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Opportunity Village has become a national model for not-for-profit organizations for the disabled.

One of the ways in which Opportunity Village raises its operating budget is through special events, and none is more special than the Magical Forest. With more than a million holiday lights, old Saint Nick and the closest thing to winter that the Las Vegas Valley has to offer, the Magical Forest is one of the nation’s premier holiday celebrations. Linda Smith, resource development director for Opportunity Village and the originator of the Magical Forest, says that the success of this year’s event has suddenly become crucial to the organization’s survival because of the recent terrorist attacks.

Smith said material donations to the organization’s four thrift stores, as well as cash donations, have dropped substantially. A successful season similar to last year’s will be necessary to keep Opportunity Village on the upswing. The Magical Forest is more than just a fundraising event for Opportunity Village, however. Over the past decade, the Magical Forest has grown from an event attended by a handful of people to a family tradition for thousands of Las Vegas families. Nearly 200,000 people attended the Magical Forest last year, and Smith is hoping for a repeat in 2001.

The Magical Forest is a winter wonderland and a playground for children of all ages during the holidays. The Forest Express takes passengers on a train ride through the Magical Forest, winding its way through a tunnel and hundreds of evergreens. Santa holds court in his Gazebo, while Ovie the Opportunity Village Bear greets children from his bear habitat. Ovie will be joined this year by Frostina, the Angel of the Magical Forest Castle, Miss Jingles and Choo Choo the Rabbit. A new addition to the Magical Forest is the enchanted Carousel Park, where children will ride the new Magical Forest Carousel. Smith said she expects the carousel to become the event’s main attraction for children.

Much of the success of the Magical Forest can be attributed to the community volunteers who pitch in every night to keep the event running. About 100 volunteers per evening donate their time to the Magical Forest, acting as parking attendants, ticket takers, train attendants and much more. Many of the volunteers are members of corporate groups, and Smith said she expects large numbers of volunteers to participate again this year.

Action Steps:

Plan to visit the Magical Forest with your family. It is open seven days a week from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. through December 29. The Magical Forest is located on the Opportunity Village Las Vegas campus at 6300 West Oakey Blvd., between Jones and Torrey Pines, with free parking behind the event off Community College Drive. Hot food and drinks are available at food booths. For more information, call Opportunity Village at 259-3741 or call the Magical Forest hotline at 225-TREE. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Cash donations cheerfully accepted at any time of year.

Opportunity Village Thrift Stores welcome donations of clothing, household goods, books, toys and other items, and can arrange to pick them up the next day. Call 702-383-5911.

Drop by any of its four thrift stores for bargains.

Call 702-259-3798 to see how Opportunity Village’s disabled clients can serve your business with contract work.

Opportunity Village

6300 W. Oakey Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89146

702-259-3700

Kathleen Foley
Kathleen Foley is a freelance writer based in Southern Nevada.