On November 3, 2021, Make-A-Wish^® America announced Las Vegas local Linda Richardson as the recipient of its 2021 National Philanthropist of the Year award. For more than 20 years, Linda has driven the Make-A-Wish mission forward through her generous contributions and two decades of leadership of the annual Fashion Luncheon event in Las Vegas.

A Las Vegas native, Linda was one of the first volunteer wish granters at the time of Make-A-Wish^® Southern Nevada’s founding in 1996. In the following years, Linda expanded her role by becoming a donor, a board member, and launching the Fashion Luncheon, a highly anticipated fundraising event held each November that has raised nearly $6 million over the past 19 years.

“I am so honored to receive this award and thankful to everyone at Make-A-Wish for all my years of being involved in such an incredible organization,” said Linda. “I am driven by my desire to uplift the lives of kids and their families by helping to grant wishes that instill hope and create lasting memories. I am forever grateful to be a part of a mission that is near and dear to my heart.”

Each year, the Philanthropist of the Year award is given to one Make-A-Wish donor who plays an essential role in the charity’s mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Nominees for this prestigious recognition come from all 59 chapters of the organization and are evaluated based on their lifetime giving, total years of engagement and support, and overall mission advocacy for Make-A-Wish.

“Linda’s impact on our organization is immeasurable, and we could not strive to grant the wish of every eligible child in Southern Nevada without her generosity,” said Scott Rosenzweig, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. “Linda is a shining light for our organization, our fairy godmother, and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

As the largest individual donor to the Southern Nevada chapter, Linda is also honored for her years of service with a dedicated space in the Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada office suitably named “Linda’s Wishing Counter.”

The 20^th annual Fashion Luncheon benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada will be held November 18, 2021, at Scarpetta inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.