Project Marilyn, a local nonprofit whose mission is to ensure everyone has access to the resources for a healthy and dignified period in Southern Nevada, announced today they are honored to be chosen by The Vegas Chamber’s Business Awards as a finalist for Business of the Year Nonprofit.
“I am over the moon to be included in a list of such prestigious nonprofits that are working tirelessly to better the community of Southern Nevada.” says Founder Wendi Schweigart.
Schweigart started Project Marilyn in 2019 after reading an article about the widespread problem of period poverty. She named the nonprofit after her mother, her passed from cancer in 2011, who inspired her to be responsible, strong and resilient.”
The other finalists in the category are:
HopeLink of Southern Nevada
LVMPD Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Charities- Greater Las Vegas
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Three Square.
“Project Marilyn has worked with all of these organizations by donating period supplies to their clients or, in the case of Three Square, being an Agency Partner,” Schweigart said. “I firmly believe that working together lifts everyone up. In our community, the need is so great. It’s important to serve your mission and your clients they way they need, and I couldn’t do that without all of our partners. That’s why I am so proud that our organization is recognized for being part of that larger safety net.”
To date this year, Project Marilyn has distributed over 17,000 period kits directly or through community partnerships like the other finalists, The Just One Project and Shine A Light. The organization also expanded the Finding Marilyn program with the Las Vegas Clark County Library District and the Henderson Libraries. The program asks local businesses to hold Project Marilyn’s monthly period kits on hand. Anyone in need can visit the businesses and organizations during regular business hours and ask “for the bag Marilyn left” them. Inside each bag are enough supplies for an entire cycle.
Nationally, 2 in 5 people struggle to purchase period supplies due to lack of income. This can result in missed school, work or other important life events. State and federal programs (like SNAP and EBT) can NOT be used to purchase period supplies. They are considered “luxury items,” something Schweigart finds hard to believe.
“I know I’ve never felt luxurious on my period,” Schweigart said. “Period supplies should be free. No one expects to go into a public restroom and have to pay for toilet paper. Until that changes, Project Marilyn is dedicated to making sure everyone has access to supplies —period.”
Project Marilyn works alongside many community partners to address the critical need in the Vegas Valley for those without access to period supplies. To donate funds for period supplies, visit https://projectmarilyn.com/.
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ABOUT PROJECT MARILYN
The mission of Project Marilyn is to ensure everyone has a healthy and dignified period. PERIOD. Project Marilyn assembles period kits and distributes them to other nonprofits. Period supplies are often overlooked so Project Marilyn is working to fill that void. Project Marilyn officially became a 501(c)3 in April of 2019. The nonprofit organization is named after and dedicated to Wendi’s mom, Marilyn. The logo is her photo and her actual signature from her driver’s license that Wendi kept after she passed away in 2011 from breast cancer. “We miss my mom so much each day, to do this in her memory, makes us feel like she’s still with us.” For more information, visit https://projectmarilyn.com/
