Las Vegas Business Helps Charity Rebuild After Devastating Fire

Online, July 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Opportunity Village's downtown Las Vegas thrift shop may have burned down, but one local company is making sure it's not out by doubling the donations it is making during a summer program. Earlier this week, the organization's first store-front, most recently a thrift store, was burned in a fire.

"This was our first home 56 years ago when Opportunity Village was founded to help train and employ people with disabilities," said Linda Smith, associate executive director. "People from around the world visited because it was known for the unique items it carried. Celebrities like Bob Hope and Elvis Presley visited the store many years ago and donated their own items that were sold there. It is a great loss for our clients, our customers and the community as well."

Immediately, Dollar Loan Center stepped in to help. The company was already giving Opportunity Village $100 a day for every day the temperature reached 100 degrees or higher this summer. When CEO Chuck Brennan announced he would double the dollar amount his company donates, Smith was thrilled.

"Companies like Dollar Loan Center are a real godsend to Opportunity Village," she said. "We will use the money to rebuild, but also to keep the 14 employees of that store employed in the process."

"This is a fun and creative way to raise money for an organization that truly needs it," said Brennan. "To help rebuild and repair their downtown facility, we have committed to doubling our donation every time the temperature rises above 100 degrees. Now everyone has a reason to be happy for the hot Vegas weather!"

To follow Dollar Loan Center's "Heat Is On" donations, watch KVVU Fox 5 news every evening at 5 p.m., 10 p.m. and and 11 p.m. or visit http://fox5vegas.com.

Opportunity Village is a Las Vegas-based, not-for-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families. Opportunity Village is the largest private provider of vocational training, employment, advocacy and recreation for people with disabilities in Nevada and currently serves more than 1,600 people with severe disabilities every day. For more information about Opportunity Village programs, special events or volunteer opportunities, visit www.opportunityvillage.org.

Dollar Loan Center is a premier provider of short term signature loans in 48 locations throughout South Dakota, Nevada and Utah. Dollar Loan Center is the largest provider of short term credit services in South Dakota and Clark County (Las Vegas) Nevada. In 2007, Entrepreneur Magazine listed the company among its "Hot 500" Fastest Growing Businesses and Entrepreneurs." For more information, visit www.dontbebroke.com.