MAKING LAS VEGAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

BlessFest helps thousands of homeless

By Beth Fisher

CREATED Nov. 21, 2012

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  • What will you do this Thanksgiving? Hundreds of people will be putting their feast and traditions aside for a few hours to serve others. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- What will you do this Thanksgiving? Hundreds of people will be putting their feast and traditions aside for a few hours to serve others. Many of those volunteers will be at BlessFest -- an event that's supposed to bless the homeless but it really blesses the volunteers. It's making Las Vegas a better place to live.

Every year, Calvary Chapel Spring Valley brings in 1,500-2,000 hungry, homeless Nevadans to their campus for medical help, legal help and even haircuts and manicures.
 
Bobbie Garcia is one of the event's organizers. "Our motto this year is 'Treat thy neighbor as theyself.'  So we wanted to do something we would like."
 
In addition, volunteers man computers and phones to help reconnect homeless clients with their families.  One year, a young girl's parents drove up from California to get their daughter after a Blessfest volunteer called the family.  But no Thanksgiving would be complete without the meal.  This year, Mandalay Bay donated its banquet kitchen to cook the hot food.
 
Matt Lindow is a Mandalay Bay sous chef.  He heard about the need and offered up his hotel's kitchen.  Matt says, "I think if we have the means to help, we should.  It's the right thing to do and it's a great cause."
 
Hundreds of volunteers agree. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, hair stylists,and others will be there on Thanksgiving trying to make Las Vegas a better place to live for those who struggle to live here every day.
 
Bobbie says, "It's not hard finding volunteers.  People want to show the love of Christ.  We're excited to be here."
 
If you want to volunteer with BlessFest, they can always use volunteers but they especially need more dentists, hygenists, and hair stylists.  Just call Calvary Chapel Spring Valley if you're interested in helping.