In a display of pure compassion and unity, HELP of Southern Nevada and Junior League of Las Vegas opened their doors and hearts for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Bag Packing event. This year carried an extra layer of meaning; not only was it the 80th anniversary of the Junior League of Las Vegas, but it also marked the first year that LeadHer, a new branch of the organization focused on developing young women leaders, participated in the event. Their presence brought fresh energy and passion to a tradition eight decades strong.
Among the new faces stood students from Sierra Vista High School, including Miley Sotelo (12), who also participates in LeadHer. Sotelo arrived with classmates eager to represent their school and support the young women of the program. “Sierra Vista pushes us to lead with purpose, not just titles,” Sotelo shared. “So joining LeadHer and then volunteering here just made sense. I wanted my actions to match what our school teaches.”
For Missy Arendash, Chair of the LeadHer Committee, the event represented a milestone in more ways than one as she expressed, “It was incredibly meaningful to see the LeadHer program come to life in such a tangible way,” Arendash revealed, “We spent the entire last year building LeadHer from the ground up, so to not only watch the program take shape, but to see our young women give back to the community alongside a long-standing partner like HELP of Southern Nevada was truly powerful.”
From the moment the clock struck 8 a.m., volunteers of all ages poured into the building with smiles, warm greetings, and a shared determination to make the holiday brighter for families in need. Volunteers created a morning filled with kindness, connection, and a powerful reminder of defining what a community truly means.
Sotelo moved between tasks with purpose as she carried the heavy bags through the line and back around again. “LeadHer taught us to act before someone needs to ask,” Sotelo explained. “Sierra Vista already encourages that mindset, but LeadHer strengthens it.”
For many LeadHer participants—especially those from Sierra Vista—the event marked their first major service project with the Junior League. For Arendash, being a part of, “such a legacy moment for the Junior League during its 80th anniversary year was incredibly special,” also sharing, “Seeing our girls step into that legacy knowing they are now a small but meaningful part of that 80-year story, was truly humbling and inspiring.”
The event operated like a joyful, fast-moving loop of generosity. Volunteers began inside, where they picked up an empty bag and stepped outside into a bustling line of tables. At each stop, workers gently placed food items—stuffing, vegetables, treats, and Thanksgiving essentials—into the growing bags. Conversations, laughter, and encouragement flowed effortlessly as everyone worked together, strangers quickly becoming teammates in a mission bigger than themselves.
Arendash voiced LeadHer’s presence added, “fresh energy to an already meaningful event,” she explained, “it wasn’t just about completing a task; it was about building relationships, sharing laughs, and encouraging one another, and feeling united by a common purpose.”
For the LeadHer participants, many of whom were experiencing their first major volunteer event with the Junior League, the food packing became a meaningful introduction to the spirit of service the organization had run for generations. Standing shoulder to shoulder with long-time members—some who volunteered for decades—created a powerful blend of legacy and new leadership.
For Arendash, that promise represents something deeper. “A warm Thanksgiving meal represents dignity, care, and the reminder that someone in the community sees you and values you,” she shared, “Ensuring families can gather around a table brings hope, connection, and a sense of normalcy that everyone deserves.”
Once filled to the brim, the final station guided volunteers back into the building, where the completed bags were stacked floor to ceiling. Right beside them sat neat piles of fresh empty bags, ready for the next hands to carry them out. The movement never stopped, and neither did the spirit—each full bag a silent promise that a family in the valley would sit down to a warm Thanksgiving meal.
By the end of the four-hour event, volunteers created 2,434 food bags, meaning 2,434 families would enjoy the comfort, nourishment, and joy that every holiday table deserves. The sheer number reflected not just efficiency, but heart—every bag touched, carried, and filled by someone who cared. For Junior League members, the event became a beautiful way to honor 80 years of service; for LeadHer members, the event represented the beginning of a new journey in community leadership.
For Sotelo, the experience left a lasting impression. “Helping thousands of families in a single morning changes you,” she shared. “LeadHer guides the leader we’re all becoming, and Sierra Vista taught me why serving our community matters. Today connected both parts of who I am. Especially as a Mountain Lion.”
For the young women of LeadHer, the event also served as a powerful lesson for Arendash, “hoped they would walk away with a deeper understanding of service, gratitude, and the power of showing up for others,” adding on, “Without a doubt, they took that message to heart…I’m incredibly proud of the young women they are becoming.”
The Thanksgiving Food Bag Packing event stands as a testament to what people can accomplish when they come together with purpose and empathy. With the help of the Junior League of Las Vegas volunteers, thousands of families will feel seen, supported, and celebrated this holiday season. Through every shared smile, every packed bag, and every act of kindness, the event embodied the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
