Icon-facebook Instagram

About Us

A Legacy of Giving Back

Learn More

Bob and Sandy Ellis, a Las Vegas couple known for their extraordinary generosity, have dedicated their lives and resources to making a positive difference for Nevada’s children. The Robert and Sandra Ellis Charitable Foundation stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment, supporting students from diverse backgrounds across the state.

A Focus on Essential Needs The foundation’s work centers on addressing the fundamental needs of students, recognizing that this support is crucial for a child’s well-being and educational success. Their initiatives include:

  • Shoes for Success: Partnering with Skechers to provide students with brand-new shoes.
  • Holiday Cheer: Bringing smiles to the faces of children in need with Christmas gifts.
  • Support for Schools: The foundation provides direct financial donations to schools, offering much-needed support for educational programs and resources.

Impact Across Nevada The foundation’s influence extends to 40 schools throughout Nevada, positively influencing students in urban cities, rural communities, and Native American reservations.

The Power of Giving Back Bob and Sandy Ellis exemplify the true spirit of philanthropy. They have chosen to invest in the future of Nevada by generously giving back. Their legacy will continue to inspire and uplift children and families for years to come.

How the Foundation Started

Learn More

20 years ago, we received an “SOS” from the then principal at Whitney Elementary. A majority of the kids were coming to school without jackets or sweatshirts in freezing or just above freezing temperatures because of neglect and/or extreme poverty. With the help of Walgreens each child received a brand-new sweatshirt at an assembly right before Christmas break.

At that assembly two little boys approached Ileana and asked if Santa could bring them toys other kids didn’t want for next Christmas because they had NO toys and so the next year Bob and Sandy Ellis funded a brand-new toy for everyone at Whitney Elementary.

A couple of Christmas’ later we teamed up with Payless Shoes to provide a brand-new pair of tennis shoes along with two pairs of socks and the brand-new toy to each child at Whitney. A couple of seasons later, once Whitney had been adopted by several other organizations, we picked up four other Title 1 schools. and now 20 years later The Robert & Sandra Ellis Charitable Fund is partnered with Sketchers and Curacao providing 7,500 pairs of shoes, 15,000 pairs of socks and about 6,500 toys to 40 Title 1 schools and other charities in 2023.

Shoes

Partnering with Skechers to provide students with brand-new shoes.

Toys

Bringing smiles to the faces of children in need with Christmas gifts.

Education

Providing direct financial donations to schools, offering much-needed support for educational programs and resources.

Resources

Extending a helping hand to families facing challenges, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the community.

Words from

Our Community

On behalf of the students and staff at Panaca Elementary School, I would like to thank you so much for the backpacks that you donated. They are amazing backpacks and the students LOVE them! Several students emptied out their old, broken down backpacks immediately and put their stuff into their new ones from you. We have several students whose families are struggling financially. The shoes, socks, and toys that Bob and company donated were literally a Godsend.

Raymond J. Wadsworth Principal
Panaca Elementary

It is difficult to fully express the continued gratitude that I, and our community feel towards each of you. The obstacles that you have overcome in order to make the holidays a little brighter for each of our students are unimaginable-and yet you all pulled it off. It's truly amazing! All of your efforts have made such a difference in the lives of our kids-and I find myself struggling for words to describe how truly blessed our community has been by your support. I am sharing a couple pictures that I hope will give back a small portion of the joy you have brought to us!

Stephanie Vincent Principal
Pioche Elementary School

We have our Christmas Party on December 20th. We have 187 children on our Christmas list this year. The need just grows each year. We will have Santa for the families to take pictures with. Gifts for all the children, which you and Sandy are such a big part of. And Christmas dinner for everyone who attends, which we expect to be around 300. I can't thank you and Sandy enough for what you two do for the children in our communities throughout the State.

Fr. Chris Moran St. Pauls

Your generosity continues to astound us! Thank you so very much for the delivery of toys and shoes for the students at Ute V. Perkins Elementary this year. Again, thank you so very much for your continued support of the students in our building!

Marianne Ekenstam Assistant Principal
Ute V. Perkins Elementary

Our students opened their shoes and toys today. Thank you for your generosity. You definitely bring joy and happiness into our lives. Again, thank you for all you do for our students.

Mike Sparrow Principal
Pahranagat Valley Elementary

They love and appreciate the cute new shoes early on in December. It is fun seeing their faces as they open them up, try them on and then run around at recess with extra energy in their steps! It is always one of the best days of great happiness and joy. Then later in the month, Santa makes the rounds delivering toys for each student. The toys are perfect for their ages and are lots of fun I Everyone is extra energetic and happy on these days. Without your generous contributions to our schools, this would not be happening.

JoLin Schimbeck Panaca Elementary

The kids were so excited to get shoes and socks. Many were apprehensive as they are humble and were unsure about what was happening. We had to explain how you both gave shoes to each of our students. They put the shoes on and modeled them. It was great seeing the kids run with them on and the joy on their faces as they realized they were the benefactors of your generosity. The kids are working on a thank you message to be sent soon. I didn't recognize the girl in the picture holding the shoes. When I looked closer, I realized it was because I had never seen her smile in my 2.5 years here. Thank you for making a difference and bringing joy to our community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Mark Zimmerman Principal
Pyramid Lake Jr./Sr. High School

It is indeed a Happy 2024 New Year for our students with their new shoes, gifts, and socks.! We celebrated the occasion with an assembly for the entire student body of the school on Thursday, December 14th, 2023. The message was: "In all things be grateful, and in all things give thanks"! Principal Lindsay brought Richard and Lori Egan up in front of the children to be recognized for their work behind the scenes to make this all possible. Mr. Egan's return trip from Carvers, NV to pick up the shoes earlier in December, was mentioned. Richard told the student body that this was the fifth year working with the Foundation - which in our view makes it a tradition! There is a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes in order to put all of the smiles on the students' faces. Seeing Richard drive back onto our campus with a Transit Van load of shoes was impressive, with room left in the vehicle only for the driver! So many thanks are in order to the Ellis Foundation for the work that you put into this generous giving of happiness! Thank you so much Ellis Foundation!!!

Dr. David Jensen Superintendent
Humboldt County School District

I really appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with your organization. Bob, you and Sandy have done so much to help so many students throughout the State of Nevada. My former students at Pahranagat Valley and the students at Lincoln County School District have been direct recipients of your dedication, love and kindness. I personally am appreciative of our friendship, I want you to know OCS has amazing students and a team that wants to work to help them learn and grow. These students face hardships that I cannot even begin to understand. Yet, they are so strong and resilient. I have been lucky enough in my short time to have learned so much but have so more to learn and grow myself. Again, I am thankful to you both.

Michael Strong Principal
Owyhee Combined Schools

Thank you for continuing to bless the lives of children. We are so grateful for all the love and support you have shown our school. They were all so thankful for the shoes and fantastic toys you sent this year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! The kids are working on a thank you message to be sent soon. I didn't recognize the girl in the picture holding the shoes. When I looked closer, I realized it was because I had never seen her smile in my 2.5 years here. Thank you for making a difference and bringing joy to our community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Principal, Staff, and Students CES

How could we possibly thank you for your support during the past year of Willie R. Cherry Ministries? Because of you, a Community Partner of Willie R. Cherry Ministries we experienced a year full of God’s blessings. We have built wells, provided technology, supplies and clothing to the students of our African partnerships as well as those whom we are blessed to serve within the Las Vegas community. In addition, we have continued to provide food to families who experience lack as well as supplies to children throughout the Las Vegas valley. We have continued to form partnerships with local corporations and other non-profit organizations who provide funding as well as supplies to address the vision and mission of the ministry and our opportunity to serve.

Willie R. Cherry Willie R. Cherry Ministries

You and Sandy have been amazing supporters of our events over the years and have blessed so many children of incarcerated parents. Again, thank you so very much for your generosity over the years.I want you to know OCS has amazing students and a team that wants to work to help them learn and grow. These students face hardships that I cannot even begin to understand. Yet, they are so strong and resilient. I have been lucky enough in my short time to have learned so much but have so more to learn and grow myself. Again, I am thankful to you both.

Jon Ponder Hope for Prisoners
Facebook-f Instagram
About

A legacy dedicated to improving the lives of children.

Contact Us
Links
Newsletter
Sign up now to get daily latest news & updates from us

© 2024-2025 Robert & Sandra Ellis Charitable Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Powered by ZDG.