Founder Michael Dermody is recipient of the Dixie May Philanthropy Award
The Children’s Cabinet’s has reason to celebrate its longstanding work in the community, keeping children safe and families together.
The 17th annual Art of Childhood fundraising gala will take place Friday, September 18th at The Governor’s Mansion. Attendees will enjoy an evening in a tented garden setting with appetizers and dinner catered by Grand Sierra Resort. There will be live and silent auctions benefitting the organization.
“As we look back at 30 years in the community, we are proud of what we have achieved, but there is still more to do,” said Mike Pomi, executive director of The Children’s Cabinet. “This year, we will be supporting the new Transitional Living Center, which will assist runaway, homeless and foster youth. The completed center is due to open at the end of 2015.”
Michael C. Dermody, chairman and chief executive officer of Dermody Properties and founder of The Children’s Cabinet will be honored with the Dixie May Philanthropy Award, for demonstrating a tremendous spirit of community giving, caring for children and ensuring their health, well-being, recreation and education.
“Michael Dermody is a man of great heart which is shown daily by his philanthropic endeavors throughout our community,” said Dixie May, founder of the Dixie May Foundation and vice president of the Wilbur May Foundation.
30 years ago, Dermody organized a high-level group of public officials and business leaders to address the needs of children in the community, advising that there should be a different type of organization to address the needs of all children and families to fill in the “gaps in service.” He recruited leaders that represented local and state government, the judiciary, child and family services, juvenile services and social services, who all dedicated their time and expertise to this endeavor. They quickly came up with the name, The Children’s Cabinet, which was formally established in December 1985 as a private non-profit organization. Its mission was to create a lasting public-private partnership to address the needs of all children and families in our community. The Children’s Cabinet has been able to respond quickly to the changing needs of the community and to bring about true collaboration.
With a focus on children and families, the arts, education and the elderly, Dermody and his team also lead the employee-managed Dermody Properties Foundation that has provided on average more than $100,000 in donations per year since its inception. Michael also founded Sage Ridge School featuring a robust curriculum, and Safe Talk for Teens, a place where youth and/or their parents can confidentially find help through early intervention and prevention, and can have candid conversations with experienced youth advisors.
The Art of Childhood is made possible by sponsors E.L. Cord Foundation, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Peppermill Resort Hotel and Eldorado Hotel Casino.
For more information about Children’s Cabinet, please visit www.childrenscabinet.org or call 775-856-0356. Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/childrenscabinet and Twitter at @ChldrnsCabnt.
About The Children’s Cabinet
Celebrating 30 years of supporting children and families, The Children’s Cabinet exists to keep children safe and families together by offering services and resources that address unmet needs through a unique and cooperative effort between the private sector and public agencies in Nevada. The Children’s Cabinet serves 11,000 Nevada families annually. Services including, providing food, shelter, and crisis intervention, child care assistance, academic support, parenting classes, and family counseling. Ensuring access to these services strengthens our community’s children and families.