Roger and Lana Buehrer have supported United Way of Southern Nevada since they arrived in 1983, but their participation reaches back another 10 years when they lived in Northwestern Ohio. The Buehrers left Sylvania, Ohio, with two little boys, Aaron and Nick, to begin a marvelous adventure in Las Vegas.

“After 30 years of actively participating in this community and its vision of the future, we continue to believe in ‘paying it forward,’” said Roger.

The couple also instilled this philosophy in their sons. Both Aaron (36), who lives in Nampa, Idaho, and works for T-Mobile and Nick (33), who lives in Las Vegas and works for Southwest Gas Corporation, participate in United Way giving.

Roger and Lana’s financial support, which has included membership in “Gold Knight” and “Templar” societies for more than 10 years, has been augmented over the years by participation as volunteers and board members.

“We believe that the only way Las Vegas can continue to grow in a healthy manner is by supporting those agencies that help meet the issues that challenge our community,” said Roger. “Support should not just be financial, but should also include volunteering time and energy.”

Roger continues to serve on the boards of directors for the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada and the East Valley Family Services, where he is board treasurer. In addition, Roger serves on the Bus Shelter and Bench Advisory Committee for the Regional Transportation Committee and teaches public relations part time for the UNLV Continuing Education program. Lana serves as a member of the Community Action Board for the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada.

“Roger and I encourage everyone to become engaged in our Las Vegas community,” Lana added. “There are many challenges, and to mitigate these challenges is by participating in those special agencies, especially United Way agencies, that focus on making Las Vegas a better place to live.”

Organizations that have been part of the Buehrer’s volunteer lives include the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross, Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada, Family and Child Treatment Center, the local National Public Radio station (KNPR), Vegas Public Broadcasting Station (KLVX), Nevada Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Nevada Arts Advocates, and Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada. The Buehrers also donate to Heifer International, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the University United Methodist Church (UUMC).

Lana is a member of the Las Vegas Literary Society, which provides scholarships to high school students, and the “Bookies,” UUMC book club that participates in various charitable activities throughout the year. Roger, in his spare time, sings tenor with the Silver Statesmen Barbershop Chorus and is active in two quartets.

Roger earned a B.S. in Journalism from Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio, and an M.A. from American University in Washington, D.C. He is an Accredited Public Relations professional and was elected to the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows in 2002. He had worked in the public information departments of both the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southwest Gas Corporation but retired in 2012. Lana has a B.S. in English from BGSU and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. She is certified as both a Project Management Professional and a Facilities Management Professional. Lana was the facilities’ services manager for National Security Technologies (NSTec), the prime contractor to the Department of Energy for the Nevada National Security Site until her retirement in 2012.

To those who know her story, Christine K. Barrett can only be described as a survivor. She overcame incredible odds and has found success with a career spanning 27 years at the Las Vegas Valley Water District and raising three independent adult children.

“Although I could have ended up another statistic, my determined single teen mother and a community of aunts helped to anchor me with routine and responsibility,” said Christine.  “I was propelled by a superior education for about 20 consecutive years.”  

Christine and her husband describe themselves as empty nesters, and thoroughly enjoy being first time grandparents and getting a different view on parenting. They also enjoy fine arts, plays, and concerts in Nevada, Utah and New York.

“We love the visual canvas of natural outdoor beauty and travel often to family in other areas,” said Christine.

Christine also has a yen for dancing, cycling, jazzercise, yoga and crochet.

Christine has served for nearly thirty-five years in the public sector as a business analyst, operations manager, system administrator and trainer in systems development. Before her career in the public sector, she delivered historical talks, counseled inner city high school and college students, prepared welfare reform program recommendations and evaluated a school district’s resources. 

“I am available for consulting, mentoring, advocacy or speaking engagements,” said Christine.

Her dedication to the community spans over four decades and reflects her passion of helping others. She has helped at church and with children, youth, and victims of domestic violence.

Christine strives to show kindness and bring joy and hope to those she encounters every day.

“We each need to be that kind of resource for each other, and look beyond external packaging to the glowing spirit that is seeking the warmth of the sun,” said Christine. 

Born and raised in the heart of the Midwest in the relatively small town of Mason City, Iowa, Jim Brown is the proud father of United Way of Southern Nevada Resource Development Manager, Chelsea Brown and cherishes his career at Station Casinos as the Corporate Director of Surveillance.

He made the journey to the sunny skies of southern Nevada in the winter of 1978, after graduating from college in Iowa.

“I knew that I could not bear one more treacherous winter,” said Jim. “I took with me only what I could fit into my 1967 Ford Mustang.”

During his early days in Vegas, Jim used a cooler as a makeshift refrigerator and lived off of the $.99 buffets at the Showboat.

From the day that Jim landed a job at the Las Vegas Hilton in the Surveillance Department, he knew that the casino life was for him and 34 years later, he is still living the casino life.

As the Corporate Director of Surveillance for Station Casinos, Jim enjoys the fact that no two days are the same.

“I can come in on Monday morning with the best laid plans and by the same afternoon everything has changed,” said Jim. “It took some time to learn this, but what may be a top priority at the moment may not even be an afterthought an hour later.”

When he is not acting as the “eye in the sky,” he loves watching sports – any and all of them.

“My favorite teams include the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Lakers and of course the UNLV Running Rebels,” said Jim. “Though this sometimes causes a rift between me and my daughters as they are proud Wolf Pack Alumni.”

Jim also enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 31 years, as well as his two daughters and granddaughter.

Jim has proudly supported the United Way for the past 25 years and LIVES UNITED by staying up to date with local issues facing the community, while acting as an advocate for change.

“I give to the United Way because I know that my donation goes to help the neediest individuals in Southern Nevada,” said Jim.