RELEASE – Tourism leaders announce next steps to support government employees

RSCVA presents 170 gift cards valued at $17,500

RENO, Nev. – The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority presented $17,500 worth of gift cards to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority for distribution to federal employees working at the airport. Marily Mora, president and CEO of the RTAA, accepted on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection and Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control from RSCVA Chairman Bob Lucey. The gift cards will go to federal employees that are currently working without pay due to the partial federal shutdown.

“There are real people behind the blue shirts of the TSA and the badges of the CBP. They have families, bills to pay, medicine to take, rent and mortgages, babies to feed and cars that need gas,” Mora said. “We ask them to protect our lives, while their lives are on hold as they are asked to work without pay.”

Mora also announced that the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation will host a resource fair for federal employees at the airport February 1. 

Gift cards and cash that can help federal employees purchase basic necessities like food, diapers, medicine and more are accepted at the front desk of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority offices during regular business hours. The public can park for free in the parking garage for 10 minutes to provide time to walk in and drop their donation off at the offices adjacent to the ski statue in the terminal between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority receives no state or local funding. All operating revenues are derived from tenant and concession fees. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the 63rd busiest commercial airport in the United States, with more than 4.1 million passengers per year. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.