Boys Town Nevada Youth, Alumni and Staff Embrace Thanksgiving Tradition

Elmer Marshall was an exceptional alumnus who grew up at Boys Town during the era of Father Flanagan. Not only was he instrumental in bringing Boys Town to Nevada, but for nearly twenty years he provided a meal to the youth in the residential homes and shelter of Boys Town Nevada. Until he passed away in 2009, Marshall was heavily involved with the organization. 

Though Marshall has passed, his memory lives on with the annual Elmer Marshall Thanksgiving Alumni Event, which has carried on with the help of another special Boys Town alumna and board member, Tami Wells.  

“I know what it is like to feel scared and alone and have to adapt to a new family, a new way of living,” said Wells. “But at Boys Town, I found a new 'family' and I thrived. Boys Town does a fantastic job of treating abused, abandoned, and neglected children and teaches them the life skills needed to grow successfully into positive contributors to society.  I am proud to say I am living proof and there are many more just like me.”

Now the general manager of the Sierra Gold restaurant in Las Vegas, Wells has proudly hosted the event at her establishment for the last few years - but this year, she wanted it to be “magical.” “She wanted a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixings. In prior years it was not in the budget and she wanted this year to be extra special,” explained Amanda Gibbs, Boys Town Nevada Development Director. 

And extra special it was. 

Wells worked with her vendors, while Marlies Mathews, Boys Town Nevada Interim Executive Director, implored the organization’s board of directors to obtain gift certificates and in-kind donations. After purchasing the ingredients for the meal, Wells had enough money left over to buy a gift for each Boys Town youth.

Approximately 90 people turned out for the event, including current youth and staff, alumni of all ages and eight representatives from the Southern California Chapter of the National Alumni Association. 

For those in attendance, the Elmer Marshall Thanksgiving Alumni event is more than just a kickoff to the holidays. For staff, it’s a chance to renew their commitment to the mission. For youth, it’s an opportunity to witness alumni who have successfully traveled the path before them and come out stronger and better for the journey. 

“Having the alumni there - the energy, excitement and laughter in the room is what made the evening so special,” said Mathews.