Nearly $13,000 in entry fees from the 2011 AHR Expo InnovationAwards competition will be donated to Opportunity Village, a Las Vegasorganization that serves people with intellectual disabilities. Thenot-for-profit organization is using the money to buy and install 76programmable thermostats that are estimated to save over $26,000 in annualenergy costs for two of its locations.

Every year, AHR Expo donates the competition entry fee moneyto a local charitable organization wherever the Show is being held. To date,nearly $75,000 dollars have been donated to several charitable organizationsthroughout the country. This year’s competition received 170 entries, anall-time record. 

 “We are delighted that the entry fees are going to help sucha worthy organization save thousands of dollars on energy costs,” said ClayStevens, President of International Exposition Company, which produces andmanages the AHR Expo. “The Innovation Awards provide several benefits – theyhelp promote innovation in the HVACR industry, they recognize innovativecompanies, and of course, they benefit charitable organizations.”

Opportunity Village was founded in 1954 by seven familieswhose children had intellectual disabilities. Today, Opportunity Village servesapproximately 1,700 individuals and their families. It is Nevada’s largestprovider of vocational training, community and campus-based employment, artenrichment, social recreation and therapeutic day services, and is unique inthe United States for its self-reliance. Opportunity Village is primarilyself-funded and dedicated to developing and expanding the programs people withdisabilities need to achieve success in their lives.

“This generous donation will enable Opportunity Village torealize immense energy savings, and every penny saved will be used to expandcurrent programs and begin new ones to serve Nevada citizens with intellectualdisabilities,” said Cary Harned, Major Gifts & Grants Officer forOpportunity Village.