People

On August 16, 2021, the Kabul airport was a scene of discord and panic as Afghanistan residents and Americans alike rushed to flee the region as the Taliban assumed its rule. On August 17, the Truckee Meadows flooded our organization with offers to help.  

Some people have the ability to change lives. They may provide another with life-changing hope. They may offer profound compassion. They may simply love unconditionally. People like Sharon Chamberlain, chief executive officer at Northern Nevada HOPES, are changing thousands of lives every day by offering underserved and overlooked Nevadans hope, compassion and love.

The office of Dr. Merrit W. Dunlap, a Carson City family physician since 1999 and native Nevadan, put nearly 2,500 shots in arms since January in the fight against COVID-19.  Dr. Dunlap, his staff, and several volunteers held 12 drive-through vaccine clinics during January through April at the top floor of the Casino Fandango parking garage.

His name is Beauregard Jackson Pickett-Burnside (Beau to his fans), and he believes in karma – specifically, the Karma Box Project. The middle-aged pug, with his trademark dangling tongue, is companion to Brooke Lampert, a local chef, caterer and community food philanthropist. This winter, the pair has added filling Karma Boxes to their philanthropic mission.

It’s hard to believe that it was five years ago that nearly 10,000 Northern Nevadans converged on downtown Reno for the first Reno Women’s March. The mood was decidedly agitated that year, yet collaborative and hopeful as women and allies joined peacefully together to vocalize their desire for equality - for Indigenous women, women of color, LGBTQ women - for mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers to have every opportunity afforded to men.

Today we're catching up with longtime contributor Marie Baxter, who frequently shares stories with Just the Positive about the incredible community service performed every day at Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada.

When we think of 2020, most of our poignant memories will be less than positive ones. And yet, there were some amazing bright spots. For one middle school teacher in Las Vegas, one of those bright spots was purchasing his first home with his wife with some help from Nevada Housing Division's Home Is Possible^TM For Teachers Program (HIP For Teachers), making him the 1,000th Nevada teacher to use the program.

In this installment of "4 Fast Fun Facts", we aim a spotlight on Just the Positive contributor Mariah Erickson. We asked this first-grade teacher at Double Diamond Elementary school about the role of positivity in her life. See our conversation below. 

1. What’s your day job, and what’s your favorite part of doing what you do?

I am a first grade teacher. My favorite part of my job is the enthusiasm I see in kids eager to learn. I love how excited kids are to be at school. Keeping them engaged all day in learning is my favorite thing!

We all know people in Northern Nevada who are spending their days saving lives, going out of their way to protect their families and contributing to the safety of our community. A local medical spa, M Spa, wants to turn the tables by helping five deserving locals feel pampered. And they need your help. 

In our second "4 Fast Fun Facts" spotlight on Just the Positive, learn about contributor Lisa Blauth. She is the Director of Marketing for the local non-profit Sierra Nevada Journeys.