Southern Nevada NAIOP Chapter Honors Community Philanthropist with Establishment of Casey Jones Fund

The Southern Nevada chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) recently announced the creation of the Casey Jones Fund. The fund will serve as the backbone of the organization’s community service outreach and will be managed by the Henderson Community Foundation.

Throughout its 21 year history, NAIOP and its members have donated their time and money to organizations that are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children and seniors in the valley.  In 2006, the chapter created its Community Service Committee to qualify and oversee such outreach. This committee was established under the leadership of board liaison and past president Casey Jones. The chapter attributes its most recent and aggressive community outreach to Jones, who passed away in December.

“Our dear friend, Casey Jones, inspired our organization to make a difference in our community,” said Tony Dazzio, chapter president. “We are thrilled to finally have a way to commemorate his contribution. Now, every time our chapter gives time, money or resources to a non-profit organization, we will do so in his name. His legacy will continue for years to come.”

NAIOP is currently working with two local non-profit organizations. The first is Community in Schools, an organization that supports low-income children and families through the school setting. Recently, NAIOP donated $10,000 to Communities in Schools for furniture for its Cynthia Cunningham Elementary School health clinic. The health care facility is being built for low-income and homeless children attending the school who may not otherwise have access to important medical and dental services.

NAIOP has also assisted Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, an organization that offers a bag of free groceries once a week to low-income seniors, as well as respite cares for hospice workers and transportation for seniors who are unable to drive.  Most recently, the chapter held a mid-year food drive where more than $5,000 was raised and 50 cases of food were collected.

“Giving back to the community we serve is very important to our chapter,” said Barbara Demaree, chair of NAIOP’s Community Service Committee. “Every year, I am simply overwhelmed with joy by the generous contributions.  Casey Jones was so dedicated to people in need and it is truly an honor to help carry on his legacy.”