Hope Means Nevada To Host Annual “Hope In Action” Community Volunteer Event, Saturday, Nov. 23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOPE MEANS NEVADA TO HOST ANNUAL “HOPE IN ACTION” COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER EVENT, SATURDAY, NOV. 23

Media Invited to Photograph, Shoot B-Roll of Volunteers, Wellness Walk to Boost Mental Wellness

WHAT:
Working media are invited to “Hope in Action” –  an annual community volunteer action and mental wellness event presented by Hope Means Nevada (HMN), the community-based non-profit focused on eliminating youth suicide in the state and inspiring a culture of empathy and advocacy around mental health.

Taking place at the Valerie Pida Plaza on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, this year’s event includes volunteer activities with a variety of community health organizations. Additionally, attendees will be invited to a wellness walk led by UNLV President, Dr. Keith Whitfield and Raider Rusher, the Las Vegas Raiders mascot, to elevate the conversation around mental and physical health through movement and connection.

The event recognizes the fact that doing good for others is an effective way to boost mood and improve overall mental wellness. As the only non-profit in Nevada dedicated solely to the intervention and prevention of teen suicide by leveraging the power of communication and peer-to-peer connection, HMN invites teens as well as their friends and families to join in this group volunteer event benefiting an array of community charitable organizations.

SPEAKERS:

• Event emcee: 8 News Now anchor/reporter Vanessa Murphy
• Ciera Bellavance, executive director, Hope Means Nevada
• Julie Murray, co-founder, Hope Means Nevada
• Hope Means Nevada’s Teen Hope Network
• Paul Spadafora, Former IBF world champion
• Keith Whitfield, UNLV President
• Shawn Gerstenberger, UNLV’s School of Public Health dean
• Marc Orr, long-term supporter of Hope Means Nevada
• Ayumi Lashley, mental health advocate and HMN influencer partner

VISUALS:

• Attendees painting Hope Rocks with uplifting messages.
• Wellness Walk with Dr. Whitfield, Raider Rusher, UNLV athletes, teens as well as their friends and families.
• Attendees performing service projects for local nonprofits, including building food kits for low-income members of the community and hygiene kits for those experiencing homelessness.
• A variety of community mental health organizations with booths offering information.
• Mental Health Hero Awards presented to outstanding teens for their service.

VENDORS:

• Girl Scouts of America
• NAMI of Southern Nevada
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• The Defensive Line
• Nevada PEP
• Find Your Anchor
• And, many more.

WHEN:
Saturday, Nov. 23
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Valerie Pida Plaza
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154

COST:
“Hope in Action” is free to attend.

Sponsorship packages are also available. For more information on sponsoring this event, contact Ciera Bellavance at ciera@hopemeansnevada.org.

MEDIA RSVP:
To attend the event or to schedule an interview with a Hope Means Nevada spokesperson, please email Vanessa Thill at vanessa@thevoxagency.com. All interviews must be scheduled in advance.

ABOUT HOPE MEANS NEVADA
Hope Means Nevada’s (HMN) mission is to eliminate teen suicide and empower Nevada’s youth to live hopeful lives. As one of the most trusted and visible mental health resources in the state, HMN inspires a culture of empathy and advocacy around mental health. While raising awareness around Nevada’s high rates of mental health challenges, the organization strives to amplify hope and connect youth with desperately needed resources. Through collaborative, compassionate, inclusive and impactful efforts, the community-based initiative envisions a suicide-free Nevada. For more information about Hope Means Nevada, go to www.hopemeansnevada.org and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The new National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is now three-digit dialing code 988. Those experiencing a mental health emergency can also text “Home” to 741741 to reach the National Crisis Text Line.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Vanessa Thill/ Erika Pope
The Vox Agency
vanessa@thevoxagency.com, erika@thevoxagency.com
(469) 226-4723, (702) 249-2977

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