Donation to go toward district’s $1 for a Million campaign
HENDERSON, Nev. – Local philanthropist and businessman Robert “Bobby” Ellis and his wife Sandy have donated $25,000 to the Henderson Libraries Foundation for its $1 for a Million Campaign, bringing the campaign’s total amount raised to $39,193.
“HendersonLibraries – and the community – have a friend in the Ellises,” said Tom Fay, executive director for Henderson Libraries. “In this economy, more people than ever before need the services and programs provided by their public libraries. Unfortunately, we, too, have had to do more with less for quite some time. It’s humanitarians like Bobby and Sandy who allow us to continue to provide reading materials for our community. We are grateful for their selfless and ongoing generosity.”
Bobby Ellis is the president and CEO of Snap Towing and former owner of B&E Auto Auctions inHenderson. This is the Ellises’ second $25,000 donation to Henderson Libraries this year. In January, they donated $25,000 to Henderson Libraries to implement its Teen Lounge, which would double the library space available for teen studying and socializing at the library. The new teen lounge is set to open at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Green Valley Library – located at2797 N. Green Valley Parkwayat Sunset Road.
The Ellises have a storied career of philanthropy in Henderson. Bobby Ellis sold B&E Auto Auction three years ago, and the Ellises use some of the profits to help out where they can.
“I still feel Hendersonis a small community, and we have to help each other,” Bobby Ellis said. “Education is where it’s at for these kids.”
Bobby and Sandy Ellis make sure the students at Whitney Elementary School not only have school supplies to last them throughout the school year but gifts to open during the holidays. They also have helped out students at Basic High School, among others. Their donation to the Green Valley Library plays heavily into their belief in the children of the future.
The Henderson Libraries Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization funded by donations of gifts, grants and bequests, helps Henderson Libraries in its mission to create a literate community by providing financial support over and above the annual operating fund. Henderson Libraries relies on the support of the Foundation to continue to provide funds for the following areas: library collections; outreach services; innovative technology; capital projects; and scholarships.
The Foundation’s goal for 2011 is to raise $1 million from April 2011 to April 2012 to benefit Henderson Libraries. The money raised will go toward building the book collections at the six Henderson Libraries locations.
The $1 for a Million campaign encourages library users to donate at least a dollar to the foundation every time they visit the library. Statistics show 60 percent of users visit the library at least twice per week. In addition to giving at any of the library locations, patrons will be able to give online and via text.
Established in 1943 as a single library in Downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School District and all other libraries around the state to provide quality service forNevada’s residents.
For additional information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-6581.