Pahrump Holiday Event Brings Joy, Support for Families with Disabilities

The Pahrump Disability Outreach Program held its annual Cookies with Santa on Sunday evening, December 21, at the NyE Communities Coalition, 1100 E. Wilson Rd. About fifty families attended the free community event, which included a mechanical bull ride, a train ride, a bouncy house, hot cocoa and snickerdoodle cookies supplied by the Pahrump Valley High School Culinary Club. Each child who visited Santa received a toy, and local group Bikers Against Bullying helped spread holiday cheer with a Grinch costume.

The gathering served both a celebratory purpose and a practical public health role. PDOP is a nonprofit founded in 2009 that offers support, resources and education for children with special needs or disabilities and their families, providing local help without having to go to Las Vegas. By creating local opportunities for connection and recreation, the group helps reduce travel burdens, limits disruption to medical and therapy schedules and promotes social inclusion for children who are often isolated.

David Boruchowitz, president of PDOP and one of the founding members, emphasized the organization places value on giving back. “It’s just our time for the holidays to give back to the community for all the support,” he said as he operated the mechanical bull. He noted the event evolved from an earlier fundraiser a decade ago, and that the workload had been heavy when paired with Pumpkin Days each October. “It just was too much back-to-back with Pumpkin Days,” Boruchowitz stated.

Families who attended expressed appreciation for the event as a way to build community ties and offer children a sense of normalcy during the holidays. Visiting from Washington state, Lance White said, “My aunt …she had seen it Facebook.” New residents also welcomed the chance to connect. “It was nice for the community. There’s a lot of people that showed up. Seeing all the kids here, that’s great,” said Shilyn Glibbon. First time attendee Angelina Sierra added, “It’s really nice. We just got done coloring and we’re going to go ride the train and bounce. It’s very exciting that they do this for the community.”

Events like Cookies with Santa illustrate how local nonprofits contribute to health equity by keeping services accessible and fostering community support networks. PDOP asks residents who want to learn more or offer financial support to visit pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com or call 702-516-0847. Boruchowitz closed the evening by thanking neighbors for their ongoing care. “Thanks to the community. This is our time to give back and say ‘thank you’. The community has always taken care of us throughout the year, and so this is our time to just let kids have fun and be kids.”