VVES Principal Cathy Davis, right,  presents a thank you award to Eureka Resort representative Gerri Chasko for their generous contribution to the ‘Mesquite Reads’ program. Photo by Lou Martin.

VVES Principal Cathy Davis, right, presents a thank you award to Eureka Resort representative Gerri Chasko for their generous contribution to the ‘Mesquite Reads’ program. Photo by Lou Martin.

Virgin Valley Elementary School honored local groups and businesses Wednesday night during their annual open house. Principal Cathy Davis explained how important community involvement in Mesquite helps our local schools meet financial needs during the school year.

First she presented an award to Gerri Chasko representing the Eureka Casino Resort for their contribution of $21,000 to kick off a fund raiser for the ‘Mesquite Reads’ program. The resort challenged other businesses to match their contribution. She then thanked and presented an award to Sun City development residents for opening their pockets to help the school reach their goals.

Mesquite Police Department representative Michael Van Houten thanks the VVES for honoring the department’s work on the new ‘Pick up Drop off’ area at the school. Photo by Lou Martin.

Mesquite Police Department representative Michael Van Houten thanks the VVES for honoring the department’s work on the new ‘Pick up Drop off’ area at the school. Photo by Lou Martin.

Davis then asked Mesquite Police Department representative Michael Van Houten to step forward to receive an award for establishing and coordinating a new ‘Drop off Pick up’ area near the school’s facility. She then thanked the City of Mesquite for the use of the land, Precision Aggregates for materials, Las Vegas Paving and Kokopelli Landscaping for finishing the project.