Youth led · Las Vegas · Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 412290339

Creating aGiving Culture LV

Never too young to lead.
Never too young to make a difference.

See our 9/11 tribute ↓
Creating a Giving Culture LV youth and volunteers gathered at the Community Giving Carnival

Community Giving CarnivalThis is what youth led service looks like.

25th anniversary September 11 memorial artwork with the Twin Towers, American flag, 2026, and We Will Never Forget ribbonOur current project

25th Anniversary · September 11, 2026

A generation that wasn’t there.
A promise that must live on.

What began with Aiyana asking young people to remember became something far greater. CCSD teachers, students, families, and communities across Nevada joined their hearts and voices to honor the lives, courage, and sacrifice of September 11.

In Aiyana’s words: “We will speak their names. We will honor their lives. We will carry their stories forward. We will never forget.”

Experience the Remembrance Wall →

A Christmas tradition that carries a legacy forward

Please join Aiyana in teaching the next generation to remember, honor, and teach by placing a wreath on a veteran’s grave this Christmas.

Sponsor a Wreath on Aiyana’s Page → Creating a Giving Culture LV · Group NV0150P
Aiyana holding memorial wreaths at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery

“Every wreath placed represents a name spoken, a story remembered, and a promise kept.”

This annual tradition is deeply personal to Aiyana. It gives young people the chance to learn the names and stories behind the freedoms they inherit, then honor those lives through action.

Each year, Creating a Giving Culture LV works toward one promise: placing a wreath on every grave at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. We hope more families, students, and community members will join us.

The moment that changed everything

A veteran’s tears became Aiyana’s promise to remember.

When Aiyana was younger, she was placing Memorial Day flags with her family at a veterans cemetery when a World War II veteran approached her. He told her how proud he was to see a young person there. As he shared his story, tears fell from his eyes. In that moment, Aiyana saw that every flag and every wreath holds a real person’s courage, sacrifice, memories, and family.

On the drive home, Aiyana asked question after question. That veteran’s tears changed the meaning of remembrance for her family and turned a tradition into a commitment. They have returned year after year to place flags, sponsor wreaths, honor veterans, and bring young people with them so the next generation can meet heroes, hear their stories, and understand that freedom is never free.

To a veteran, being remembered means their service is still seen and their sacrifice still matters. When the next generation speaks their names and carries their stories forward, they are never forgotten.

Aiyana and a youth volunteer standing with Wreaths Across America shipments ready for remembrance
Ready to remember. Each box becomes an opportunity for a young person to speak a veteran’s name and carry their story forward.
Aiyana and a youth volunteer standing among wreaths placed at veterans' graves
Young volunteer carefully placing a wreath on a veteran's grave
Youth volunteers placing memorial wreaths together
Aiyana securing the red bow on a veteran's memorial wreath

Remember.Honor.Teach.

Youth volunteers inside the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery hall

Proof, not promises

Young people are already changing Las Vegas.

Give them a place to begin. Watch what happens.

2,500+care packs created
300+young people united
4,100+service hours led

Not someday.
Right now.

We turn compassion into action and young hearts into community leaders.

What we do

Small acts.
Real ripple effects.

01

Giving Carnival

Hundreds of young people. Thousands of care packs. One unforgettable day.

02

Hospice Blessings

Personal gifts that make children and siblings feel seen.

04

9/11 Remembrance Wall

A new generation making a promise to remember.

05

500 Backpack Project with Commissioner Justin Jones

Essential supplies packed with care for underserved neighbors.

06

Morning of Service

Backpacks, handmade mats, and care delivered directly.

07

2ACT Ministries Outreach

Youth serving neighbors with practical supplies and dignity.

08

Thanksgiving Morning

An annual tradition of serving warm meals and showing up with care.

Easter Bunny Drive

Soft comfort.
Delivered with care.

New Easter bunnies collected and delivered for children in hospice.

Easter bunnies delivered to ProCare Hospice for children in hospice
Community members supporting the Easter Bunny Drive for hospice children
Creating a Giving Culture LV delivering donated Easter bunnies with a community partner
Creating a Giving Culture LV volunteers gathered with Santa and donated Christmas gifts for hospice families Open the traditionAnnual Hospice Christmas Blessing

A season of joy, made personal

No child should feel
forgotten at Christmas.

Aiyana began volunteering when she was nine years old. What stayed with her was a simple truth: children are never too young to make someone feel seen. That belief became the heart of the Hospice Christmas Blessing and remains one of the traditions closest to her heart.

Each Christmas, Creating a Giving Culture LV gathers new toys, soft stuffed animals, and meaningful gifts for children in hospice and their siblings. Because when one child is receiving hospice care, the entire family is carrying something heavy. A gift cannot change their circumstances, but it can create laughter, comfort, and a memory filled with love.

Be part of their Christmas

One thoughtful gift can tell a child and their family, “You are seen. You are loved. You are not walking through this alone.”

Donate a new toy or soft stuffed animal, organize a collection with your family, school, church, team, or business, or make a monetary donation so we can choose gifts for a child and each sibling.

New toys and stuffed animals surrounding a Christmas tree for hospice children and siblings
Youth volunteers supporting the Annual Hospice Christmas Blessing
Community partners with gifts collected for hospice families
Aiyana with donated toys and stuffed animals for the Hospice Christmas Blessing
Family participating in the Hospice Christmas Blessing
Volunteers gathered around the Christmas gift collection
Aiyana beside the Hospice Christmas Blessing gifts
Young volunteers gathered for the annual Christmas tradition
Creating a Giving Culture LV youth team at the Christmas Blessing
Personalized hospice birthday bags and gifts prepared for children Open their storyHospice Birthday Bags

More than a birthday gift

Every child deserves
to feel celebrated.

For a child in hospice, a birthday bag creates a moment centered on joy, personality, and being celebrated. Each bag is thoughtfully filled around the child’s age and interests, giving families a ready made celebration during an incredibly difficult time.

These bags help families feel seen, supported, and surrounded by a community that cares. They create smiles, meaningful moments, and memories families can hold close. When you make a birthday bag, you remind a child: your life, your joy, and your birthday matter.

Help us keep every birthday remembered

Please sponsor a birthday bag.

A birthday should never pass unnoticed. Your family, church, classroom, team, or business can create a bag together, or make a monetary donation so we can prepare one with care. Every gift helps ensure that children in hospice and their siblings each have something made especially for them on their birthday.

For families carrying the unimaginable, a bag can become a bright moment in a difficult season. It says that their child is known, their siblings are seen, and their whole family is being held by a community that cares.

Sponsor a Birthday Bag ↗

What can go inside

  • A favorite toy or cuddly stuffed animal
  • Books, art supplies, games, or puzzles
  • Cozy pajamas, socks, or a soft blanket
  • Age appropriate treats and birthday decorations
  • A handmade card filled with encouragement
  • A thoughtful gift for each sibling

Make it personal. Build each bag around the child’s age, interests, favorite colors, and the things that bring them joy.

Personalized birthday gifts prepared for boys in hospice
Young child receiving a decorated hospice birthday box
Young child enjoying books from a personalized birthday bag
Young child holding a colorful birthday gift bag
Child smiling with a teddy bear and birthday gifts
Child surrounded by personalized birthday gifts
Completed hospice birthday bags ready for delivery
Handmade Happy Birthday card included with hospice gifts
Stuffed animals and gifts packed for hospice birthday deliveries

Annual Flag Placement

Remembered
by name.

Youth honoring veterans at the memorial. One flag, one life, one story at a time.

Creating a Giving Culture LV youth volunteers surrounded by flags at the Veterans Memorial
Youth volunteers holding American flags at the Veterans Memorial
Young volunteers placing American flags beside veterans' memorial markers
Youth volunteer placing an American flag at a veteran's memorial marker
Young girl placing an American flag at a veteran's memorial marker

Hosted by Commissioner Justin Jones

500

Backpacks.
One community.

Commissioner Justin Jones brought the community together and created the opportunity for our youth to fill 500 backpacks with essential supplies for underserved neighbors.

Creating a Giving Culture LV volunteers with 500 filled backpacks
Volunteers filling backpacks with snacks and essential supplies
Aiyana organizing completed backpacks
Community partners and volunteers preparing backpacks
Youth volunteers packing supplies into backpacks

500 bagspacked with care for underserved neighbors across Las Vegas.

Creating a Giving Culture LV youth volunteers and community partners

With Bags for Mats + Shine a Light

Meet people
where they are.

Youth volunteers carried backpacks, handmade mats, and care directly to neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Morning of Service volunteers gathered in downtown Las Vegas
Volunteers holding handmade sleeping mats and filled backpacks
Youth volunteers carrying outreach bags through downtown Las Vegas
Young volunteers carrying backpacks beneath a downtown overpass
Creating a Giving Culture LV youth volunteers with outreach supplies
Volunteers carrying backpacks across the outreach route
Outreach volunteers delivering bags beneath an overpass

In partnership with 2ACT Ministries

Care you can
carry with you.

Youth volunteers prepared and shared backpacks, clothing, food, and essential supplies with underserved neighbors.

Creating a Giving Culture LV youth volunteers with 2ACT Ministries and packed backpacks
Youth volunteers standing behind backpacks and outreach supply bags
Creating a Giving Culture LV volunteers preparing backpacks and supply bags for distribution
Youth volunteers distributing backpacks and supplies with 2ACT Ministries

An annual tradition

Thanksgiving morning,
spent giving back.

Before sitting down at their own tables, our youth spend Thanksgiving morning serving warm holiday meals to underserved neighbors across Las Vegas.

Creating a Giving Culture LV youth holding Thanksgiving meals at The Give Back
Youth volunteers at The Give Back Las Vegas Thanksgiving outreach
Youth volunteers ready to serve Thanksgiving meals
Youth volunteers serving hot Thanksgiving meals to community members
Young volunteers handing out Thanksgiving meals
Creating a Giving Culture LV youth serving neighbors on Thanksgiving morning

The work, in motion

See what
giving looks like.

Real moments. Real people. Real impact.

Youth volunteers at the Community Giving Carnival holding completed care packs
Youth leading from the front.
Young people gathering at the Community Giving Carnival
A community showing up.
Donated items gathered for Creating a Giving Culture LV service projects
Compassion, ready for action.
Creating a Giving Culture pledge trees filled with fingerprints
A promise to keep giving.
Aiyana Castro, founder of Creating a Giving Culture LV

It started with one “no”

Too young
to volunteer?
Watch me.

Aiyana Castro created the opportunity she couldn’t find, then opened it to every young person ready to help.

Meet Aiyana ↗

Recognized in Nevada

Purpose that
gets noticed.

State of Nevada Certificate of Recognition presented to Creating a Giving Culture
State of Nevada · Certificate of Recognition
Recognition letter from the Office of Mayor Shelley Berkley to Creating a Giving Culture LV
City of Las Vegas · Mayoral Recognition

As seen in

FOX5 Las Vegas ↗Vegas PBS ↗Everyday.Vegas ↗More stories and interviews ↗

Choose your way to help

There is a place
for you here.

Give what you can: time, resources, a partnership, or a simple share. Every action helps another young person discover that they can make a difference now.

01

Give

Help provide supplies, gifts, and meaningful service experiences for Las Vegas youth.

Donation options →
03

Partner

Schools, businesses, and community organizations can sponsor or build a project with us.

Start a partnership →
04

Share

Help more young people and caring adults find this movement.

Schools · Businesses · Community organizations

Let’s create the next
act of service together.

Host a collection, sponsor a project, invite youth to participate, or help us reach families who need support.

Partner with us →

Questions, answered

Before you
jump in.

Who can participate?

Creating a Giving Culture LV is youth led and creates service opportunities for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, families, schools, and community supporters. Participation requirements may vary by project.

Can students receive service hours?

Service hours may be documented for qualifying projects. Check the specific opportunity before participating so we can confirm its requirements.

Can a school, business, or organization partner with you?

Yes. Partners can sponsor supplies, host collections, provide volunteers, share expertise, or collaborate on a service project.

Are donations tax deductible?

Creating a Giving Culture LV is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 412290339. Contributions may be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

How do I hear about new projects?

Follow us on Instagram for current opportunities. Our email updates are coming soon.

This is your invitation

Be part of what
happens next.

Give. Volunteer. Share. ↗

Follow the impact

See what’s
been going on.

New projects, young leaders, and moments of service from across Las Vegas.

Follow @creatingagivingculturelv ↗
View Creating a Giving Culture LV on Instagram

Community partners

Thank you to
our sponsors.

We are grateful for the businesses and organizations that believe in young people and help make service possible. Our founding sponsors will be recognized here.

Become a founding sponsor →