Las Vegans nominated for ‘Points of Light’ state awards

Afsha Bawany

Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 | 4:25 a.m.

Las Vegas residents Greg Heinrich, Julia Ochiogrosso and Claudia Swift are among 15 finalists nominated for awards by the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service Inc., which recognizes individuals and organizations for their dedication, commitment and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout the state.

The awards will be presented at the Governor's Points of Light Award dinner on Oct. 16 in Reno.

One recipient from each of four categories will receive an award recognizing their service and a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

The awards will be presented by Gov. Kenny Guinn at the Atlantis Casino Resort. Keynote speaker will be J. Terry Edmonds, director of editorial management for AARP in Washington D.C and former director of speechwriting for the White House.

Heinrich volunteered for the YMCA of Southern Nevada for more than 14 years and has been a chairman of its board of directors for two years. He has donated more than $1.1 million as a start to renovating the facility.

Ochiogrosso established the Las Vegas Catholic Worker in 1986, which is an advocacy program that provides food, clothing and shelter for the homeless and people who need help. She has been a volunteer for 17 years and trains others to help the homeless.

Swift is a registered nurse who is a kidney transplant specialist. She is president of the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation and has raised thousands of dollars for research, education and patient services. She has also recruited Nevada volunteers for the Kidney Foundation.

Other finalists include:

Individual north: Forrest Dunaetz of Reno, Honor Jones of Reno and David Parsons of Sparks

Individual rural: Fran Goodyear of Hawthorne, Nancy Sheffield of Elko and Cecil Walton of Fallon

Nonprofit organization: Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Project Food and Veteran's Hospital Foundation, Inc.

Corporate volunteer programs: Business Bank of Nevada, MGM Mirage Dollars for Doers/Volunteer Voice Program and I. Silver Management, Inc.

Tickets for the dinner are $150 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada. The dinner will also feature a silent auction.

Seats may also be reserved and donated to students in the Reno area. For more information on advance ticket reservations, student dinner donations and the availability of sponsorships, call the commission at (888) 338-9759.