36°F
weather icon Clear

Man fulfills promise to dying wife through charity

By helping others, Paul Tarantino is keeping a promise he made to his late wife.

In November, nearly 10 years after Cheryl Tarantino first came up with the idea, Paul Tarantino officially opened Ameriway Charities in Boulder City.

The nonprofit organization helps those in need, especially with emergency situations, Tarantino said.

“When she died, I made a promise to her to do something good for people,” he said.

Prior to officially starting Ameriway, Tarantino said he had spent two years and about $500,000 of his own money helping people.

Unlike many charities that target a specific group or need, Tarantino said Ameriway will help anyone. The nonprofit provides emergency food and lodging; financial assistance for rent, mortgage or utility payments; furniture or clothing, especially after a home fire; job training; and spiritual support and bibles.

“You don’t have to be disabled, a veteran, elderly or poor,” he said. “You have to have an emergency and be in need.”

He said his experience helping others is helping him get Ameriway operating.

It is funded through donations and sales from its thrift store at 728 Canyon Road. Additionally, items at the thrift store are used to help those who come to Ameriway with a need, he said.

Tarantino said it is important for people to know that all money raised in Boulder City stays here to help those in need.

Cindy Grippi joined Ameriway three months ago, volunteering in the thrift store and serving as a member of its board of directors.

“I want to help people and see what I can do for the community,” she said. “We help with everything.”

She said her background provided her with an awareness of the type of rental problems people might have, and she worked in retail with clothing so she is familiar with clothing programs.

Tarantino said their motto is “We can do it,” adding that the Christian-based organization uses its faith and work helping others to “administer his word.”

At the moment, Ameriway does not have a food pantry. Instead, it provides gift cards to grocery stores and vouchers for hot meals at the Senior Center of Boulder City, Tarantino said. He hopes that one day they can open a soup kitchen, as well as a facility that provides lodging for the homeless.

Eventually, Tarantino said he would also like to expand the charity to serve neighboring Las Vegas and Henderson.

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Early home maintenance and prep makes way for happy holidays

Wake up and smell the pumpkin spice! The holidays are coming and your home is about to go into overdrive. Now’s the time to knock out both seasonal home maintenance and holiday preparation, before the days get shorter and the to-do list gets longer.

Boulder City’s Got Talent this Saturday at library

The public is encouraged to come out to a free event, which features some of the top entertainers Boulder City has to offer.

UNLV professor wows STEM students

Garrett Junior High School’s Flight and Space teacher, Ryan Pusko, invited his brother, Dr. Matthew Pusko, to speak with our sixth-grade students on Friday, Sept. 29. Dr. Pusko teaches at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Engineering and came to inspire and educate our STEM students. Dr. Pusko’s visit was part of an effort from UNLV to expose students to the careers of the future and to ignite their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Afterschool clubs at Garrett Junior High

Editor’s Note: Class in Session is a new column in which Boulder City schools submit articles written by the principals, faculty or students. It will focus on programs, classes and activities within the school.

BCHS homecoming week filled with activities

Editor’s Note: This is a new weekly column submitted by Boulder City schools, written by principals, administrators, faculty or students. It will focus on events, programs or new classes at the various schools.

Runion excels at both sales and trails

Bret Runion has an uncanny knack of remembering a house he sold 30 years ago, who bought it, who sold it and in what year. And if you give him a few extra seconds, he could probably tell you the coloring of carpeting in each.