Robert (Bob) and Sandy Ellis are treasured philanthropic partners with the Clark County School District and beloved benefactors to thousands of underprivileged and disadvantaged children in Nevada. They have been personally involved at 45 schools in the state and have donated millions of dollars from their personal finances to educational causes in Humbolt, Lincoln, Clark, Nye, Mineral, Washoe, Elko, and Esmeralda Counties. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have provided more than 80,000 pairs of shoes, 160,000 pairs pf socks, and 60,000 toys to schools and charities in Nevada. They partnered with Sketchers shoes 4 years ago,
The extraordinary generosity of Bob and Sandy Ellis is unmatched in the state, especially for thousands of students, teachers, support professionals, and principals who serve in the eight counties of Nevada, whom the Ellis’ would say are the real heroes.
As a fitting recognition for their extraordinary philanthropy, the Ellis’ had an elementary school in Clark County named after them. Robert and Sandy Elementary doesn’t have quite the same needs as most of the schools the Ellis’ server, but inspired by their namesake, students and families at the Ellis school raised enough money to buy a new pair of shoes for every student at Helen Anderson Toland Elementary for years.
For the last 20 years in the month of December, Bob and Sandy Ellis have sponsored six Christmas assemblies at which they distribute shoes, socks and toys to thousands of students who otherwise might not receive anything for the holiday season. District Court Judges Eric and Susan Johnson have been Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the assemblies since the beginning. At many of the chosen schools, 100 percent of students qualify for free school lunches, so shoes, socks and toys are a real hit!
The gift distribution process itself is a mammoth undertaking. If you think buying for your family is tough, try buying for 8,000 children. The Ellis team headed by Ileana Drobkin begins planning in March for the December rush. Within an age group, each gift must be the same, so no child feels slighted.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis also provide financial resources, support and encouragement to special needs students in Clark County. For several years, they have supported a special education program at Basic Academy of International Studies which has helped with instruction and curriculum development.
Bob is the former president and CEO of Snap Towing, he and Sandy owned B&E Auto Auction before selling it more than a decade ago. They now operate R&S Investment Properties and R&S Leasing.
Bob and Sandy have lived in the valley since the late 1950s. Bob graduated in 1960 from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Sandy attended Basic High School in Henderson. Bob’s alma matter has been the beneficiary of the couple’s generosity too, which included donations and tennis shoes of over $50,000 over several years to help homeless students.
Bob and Sandy have been married for 59 years. They have one son, Don and his wife Kim, and two grandchildren Dustin and Dylan. Dylan and his wife Kaleigh bless Bob and Sandy with 4-month-old great-granddaughter Tatum in April. Two wonderful nephews, Jim and Ron May are also part of the Ellis family.
Christmas gifts for schoolchildren aren’t the only way they give back. The Ellises have donated to the Henderson Libraries Foundation, UNLV, Nevada State College, Bolden Little League, autism class at Touro University and Catholic Charities focusing on educational programs.
Bob and Sandy Ellis have left a lasting mark on thousands of children across Nevada.
