who also play leadership roles in our city with Just Serve. Just Serve has been operating here in Las Vegas since 2017. It has supported hundreds of community service organizations and efforts and connected thousands of volunteers in our community. And today we're not just organ um honoring just serve but we're really using the opportunity to acknowledge and recognize the city of Las Vegas because the city of Las Vegas has been named a global just serve city and that so let's give that's a really big deal because there's only about 150 cities around the world that are eligible and we were five named in 2025 And so Just Serve recognizes cities or global just Serve cities um that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism and the award is given to cities which distinguish themselves through their innovative, consistent and impactful service outreach. The award recognizes cities that lead by example in promoting volunteerism includive active actively listing volunteer opportunities on the web-based portal. The cities encourage unity and city values through inclusive and communitywide service and support partnerships between civic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations. For me, I think this award is particularly meaningful because I've lived in Vegas for over 20 years, and the narrative I always heard was uh we're not a city that's engaged. People don't volunteer. We have the lowest volunteerism rates in the country. And I think the fact that Las Vegas is one of the two cities to receive this award award. Just Serve started giving this award in 2023. So we are one of 15 states around the world that has received this award. And so I think it shows that just as Las Vegas in the last couple of years has become a global sports destination or a cultural um destination with our new museum. And we heard about some great things happening through the RDA this morning with festivals and you know live entertainment. We are now a city that promotes and uplifts our residents, our communities and really believes in connection and service. And so I think that's wonderful to celebrate. Um I'd like to invite my council members and the just serve team to sit now. We're going to show a video which was submitted and it's probably why we were recognized as a global just serve city. Volunteers are so beneficial to our community whether it's members serve through the city of Las Vegas or it's volunteers, young, old, any age, all different walks of life. They are the backbone and the lifeblood. The power of service is getting diverse people together, diverse communities around a common cause. It's very powerful when you have people that wouldn't know each other if it weren't for a cause that they're interested in. >> I think volunteers are vitally important to our community because they are our community. These are the people who are living and working and playing in our community and they care. They want to serve and support their community. They want to lift those up that are in need. They want to support the organizations that are seeking that kind of help. If you don't have an active citizen service base, I think you're missing something because everybody wants to feel valued and feel that they're part of something so much bigger than themselves. And when people volunteer and become involved in the community. Uh they're going to feel better about it. They're going to care more about it and they're going to contribute more as citizens. Make your community a better place to live. >> Volunteerism is the heartbeat of any city, especially here in Las Vegas. We need every single volunteer to help us carry the work forward to uplift our neighbors and our neighborhoods um to mentor our youth or to distribute food um in food deserts. And so um it definitely shows that we're compassionate, that we're caring, and that we want what's best for everyone in our amazing city. >> I love the volunteers in our community because they get to know what they love most about themselves. They get to know what's beating in the heart of that community and they get to know each other. That makes for a vibrant, healthy neighborhood. Makes for a vibrant, healthy city of Las Vegas. That video why Las Vegas was named a global just served city. And it's clear that our community is connected and we're all working together to help each other and support great causes and come together to really elevate Las Vegas. And so I have a a proclamation. And again, this is not just about just serving. It's our city. And so our city and all of you out here really do deserve a round of applause. We're celebrating you and our city. So the proclamation reads, "Whereas the city of Las Vegas is committed to fostering a culture of service, unity, and civic engagement among its residents, and whereas just serve as a global platform that connects individuals, families, and organizations with meaningful volunteer opportunities to strengthen communities. And where's Just Serve Las Vegas partners with local governments, charities, and faith-based organizations to foster empathy cooperation and hope through service while mobilizing volunteers and strengthening partnerships throughout the Las Vegas community. And whereas a global just serve city is a distinguished recognition awarded to communities that demonstrate exceptional outreach engagement and measurable impact through volunteer service. And whereas these efforts result in measurable improvements to quality of life, stronger neighborhoods, and a spirit of compassion and unity among all people. And whereas the city of Las Vegas has been named a global just served city reflecting its strong commitment to volunteerism and community collaboration. And whereas cities receiving this honor actively promote volunteerism, cultivate strong partnerships among nonprofits, faith-based groups, businesses, and residents, and implement innovative, consistent, and creative approaches to meeting our community's needs. And now therefore, the mayor and the members of the Las Vegas City Council proudly recognize and celebrate the designation of Las Vegas as a global just serve city and hereby proclaim April 15, 2026 as global just serve city day. And Elise Norda, our Las Vegas Justerve director, uh is here with her colleagues. And I'd love to have you say a few words. Wonderful. >> Thank you so much, Nancy. And it really is true. This is really a day of recognizing Las Vegas. That's what it is. Um we are just honored and um humbled to be associated and to be part of the team. We all know that um things so much more can get done when we work together. And that's what Justerve is all about is connecting the dots. And the city of Las Vegas truly is um just remarkable in its efforts to engage in volunteerism. Um some of the ways I was thinking about really the outreach that they do in creating volunteer opportunities, also encouraging engagement um through support and resources helping all of these things happen. And then also the recognition of organizations and individuals that make our city stronger and more unified. um you truly are building a culture of service in this city and um and Just Serve does value our partnership with the city and we were so happy when um the city of Las Vegas was recognized earlier last year as a just served city and then at the National League of Cities conference that was held last November um Las Vegas was was named as Nancy said um named as one of the five global just served cities The others that were um named, if you'd like to know, are Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Rochester, Minnesota, Caldwell, Idaho, and Kolina, Chakabuko, Chile. Um, Justerve is truly spreading across. We're in 18 countries now. Um, just trying to help and connect dots and um, make communities happier. So one more thing in c this this year in celebrating the our country's America's um 250th anniversary just serve is a programming partner of America gives which is a component of that America 250 celebration and as we in Las Vegas looked at what we wanted to do to um to celebrate this milestone we decided that we really just wanted to recognize some of the many remarkable people and organizations in our valley that just um do so much good in our area and as Just Serve our leadership team but also our over 40 other um colleagues that work in areas all across Las Vegas. Um, we really are kind of boots on the ground a lot and we see each of the city council members and Mayor Berkeley show up time and time again. They are there at the ground level and um truly service is at the heart of what is happening here in our city. And so we want to um award each city council member and the mayor with the heart of service award, a little medallion. Um and it is presented in honor of extraordinary individuals whose service strengthens communities and inspires others to serve. This medallion recognizes those who create lasting impact, bring people together in unity, and lead with generosity, integrity, and purpose. Through their example, they help build a culture of volunteerism and advance the spirit of America 250 and of Just Serve, reminding us that service is at the heart of a strong nation. Um, thank you, Las Vegas, for your leadership and your great efforts.