The Public Education Foundation (PEF) brought together community leaders, including Athletics President Marc Badain and PEF Board Chair Peter Guzman, to recognize dedicated volunteers at the inaugural PEF VIP (Volunteers in Partnership) Celebration on November 19.
“The financial responsibility is important, but it is about being present and it’s about giving your time,” shared Marc Badain, President of the Athletics, who partnered with PEF in October to assemble Classroom in a Box supplies and distribute free books to students at Iverson Elementary School and participated in the VIP Celebration. “The time we gave there was fun.”
“Volunteering is something that I’ve always done. Now that I’m retired, it’s a twofold benefit for me,” shared Ava Newman, a community volunteer recognized during the event. “I get to give back, and it provides a more level sense of appreciation for the life I get to live.”
PEF’s VIP Celebration recognized individual and corporate volunteers who together have committed more than 3,400 hours of time and effort in support of local students and teachers. During the event, PEF celebrated the following volunteers for their commitment of time and effort:
● Ava Newman received the Ruler Volunteer Award, recognizing a volunteer who measures up in every way: dependable, consistent, and always making an impact.
● Jordan Berstler received the Backpack Volunteer Award for a volunteer who carried a heavy load of responsibilities, ideas, and compassion, and did it all with heart.
● Mandisa Alston received the Sharp Pencil Volunteer Award, recognizing a volunteer who’s always on point: precise, reliable, and ready to help at a moment’s notice.
● R&R Partners was recognized with the Dean’s List Award for a corporate volunteer group that has set the gold standard in service for a particular volunteer program with PEF. Athletics President Marc Badain, himself a PEF volunteer, recognized R&R Partners team members for reviewing more than 700 scholarship applications, the most by any corporate volunteer program.
Through PEF’s volunteerism initiatives, 643 community members from across Nevada came together to meet critical education needs and support student success in 2025. Volunteers reviewed and scored 16,809 scholarship applications to help local students pursue their dreams of higher education and assembled and packed 1,156 Classroom in a Box kits, benefiting over 34,000 students. In addition, volunteers distributed thousands of books to students through the CCSD Book Bus and ensured the success of special events in support of nearly 18,000 teachers and 300,000 students in Southern Nevada.
Those interested in becoming a PEF volunteer can explore available opportunities and sign up at thepef.org/volunteer/.
About the Public Education Foundation
The Public Education Foundation (PEF) unites the community to inspire support of our public schools. In partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD), PEF helps guide effective investments in education to meet the immediate, critical needs of our students, families, and educators. For more information about PEF, please visit www.thepef.org. Follow us on Facebook @ThePublicEducationFoundation, X/Twitter @ThePEFtoday, and Instagram @ThePEFtoday.
