Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Cab firm gives van to youth program

Things are moving a little more smoothly these days for area youths involved in the High on Life program thanks to the donation of a mini-van by a local cab company.

"We just wanted to help out those involved with a worthwhile program," said Sandy Avants, chief operating officer of the Ace, A-NLV, Vegas Western and Union taxicab companies.

"They work with disadvantaged kids in peril," Avants said. "They're trying to get these kids off the streets, and we wanted to do our part."

On Wednesday, Avants handed the keys to a 1991 Dodge mini-van to Aaron Angaran, director of the High on Life program.

"This is going to help a lot," said Angaran, who explained the van would be used for hauling youths and equipment to various activities such as "Clean Teen" car washes, "Strike Back" graffiti cleanup projects and "Freedom Experience for Youth" educational-entertainment presentations.

High on Life, sponsored by the Nevada Association of Latin Americans and funded by the federal Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, has in the past 15 years helped divert many local youths from lives of crime and drug dependency, Angaran said.

"All our kids are at-risk kids," Angaran said.

The cab company was informed about the program by Don Welshans, shop foreman, who drove his car through a "Clean Teen" car wash a few weeks ago.

"Don's a great guy," Angaran said. "He came to our car wash and he fell in love with us. We're very grateful to him."

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