North Las Vegas:

Utilities employees make sure students have a ball

Ruben Luevano / Special to the Sun

Daniel Neath tosses a ball Wednesday during a presentation at Cahlan-Edison Elementary School.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Cahlan-Edison Elementary School

Some schools have had to cut back on activities and programs because of budget constraints, but the North Las Vegas Utilities Department refused to let money woes cripple Cahlan-Edison Elementary School’s physical education classes.

The Utilities Department is donating new sports equipment and two large bins to Cahlan-Edison, an Edison Learning Institute school in North Las Vegas.

The department has been collecting donations for the past two weeks after an office employee noticed the condition of the equipment.

Physical education teacher Bryan O’Farrell said the school has more than 750 students sharing the same equipment and sports gear.

“They contacted us to make a donation happen,” O’Farrell said. “We share the same back wall and one of their workers looked at the equipment and said, ‘Maybe we can upgrade this.’”

Amanda Dillard of the Utilities Department said employees set a goal to raise $1,000 worth of equipment but have exceeded that amount.

“I would say we have raised $1,500,” Dillard said. “Some employees have brought in 10 volleyballs.”

O’Farrell said the current equipment isn’t old but gets worn when shared between so many students. He said the Utilities Department is concerned with “keeping kids moving and healthy.”

Dillard said health and fitness are important for children. She said economic times are impacting students’ education and it’s important for community members to get involved.

The Utilities Department presented the equipment on Wednesday to students and administrators at the school, 2801 Fort Sumter Drive.

Cahlan-Edison Principal Wanda Renfrow said she is grateful for the Utilities Department’s generosity.

“It’s great to have the community back us up and reach out to us,” Renfrow said. “We’re very appreciative.”

Renfrow said the school is also looking into partnering with the Utilities Department to support its math and science curriculum.

Discussion: 1 comment so far…

By BugMeTons

11/5/09 at 10:31 p.m.

Suggest removal

Utilities?

Very nice information, and very interesting and sweet story.

I just find it odd that utilities would be the donating sponsor.

Goes to show that help can come from anywhere.