In Remembrance of Charlotte Hill
In 1971, Charlotte Hill convened a group of community leaders who founded “Friends of Channel 10” to provide financial support for KLVX, Nevada’s first educational public television station – and she never left us. Over the next 47 years, she would dedicate untold hours of support to the station; raise millions of dollars through auctions and wine tastings; recruit a virtual army of volunteers; and troop through the marbled halls of Congress to secure support despite blizzards and thunderstorms.
In addition to her support of our local station, she held numerous leadership roles with National Friends of Public Broadcasting. It was in that capacity that we first met nearly 40 years ago. In national PBS circles, Charlotte was well-known for her pragmatic support of best practices, innovation in PBS fundraising, and active engagement of local volunteers. In fact, the National Friends named their annual Volunteer of the Year award in her honor.
Charlotte was a constant and passionate companion, advisor, historian and friend. Remarkably, her dedication to the community extended far beyond our station. Charlotte was known to many for her civic leadership, tenacity and commitment to the organizations she loved. In March 2009, the State of Nevada issued a Concurrent Resolution in recognition and appreciation of her “magnanimous volunteer support of education in Nevada.”
Because of her support and advocacy, thousands of economically disadvantaged children have been able to attend the Sun Summer Camp, experience performance art through Allied Arts, or receive scholarships to CSN and UNLV. Multiple generations of young people have received education and inspiration through organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way of America, Economic Opportunity Board, and Variety Early Learning Center. In many cases her name is on the founding registrations of the organizations and she served each as President or board member.
Charlotte began her philanthropic work in a very small town – a town one-tenth its current size. She resolved to make it more than just a great place to work; she wanted Las Vegas to be a great place to live.
On April 26, 2018, we lost a “founding mother” of Vegas PBS. She will be deeply missed, yet her mark is permanently enshrined in the Charlotte Hill Volunteer Center in our new building, the Charlotte Hill Society, and the blown glass “Blossoming of the Mind” sculpture she challenged the board to fund for our lobby. We are forever grateful for her gifts of service and forever inspired by her passion for this community
In addition to her support of our local station, she held numerous leadership roles with National Friends of Public Broadcasting. It was in that capacity that we first met nearly 40 years ago. In national PBS circles, Charlotte was well-known for her pragmatic support of best practices, innovation in PBS fundraising, and active engagement of local volunteers. In fact, the National Friends named their annual Volunteer of the Year award in her honor.
Charlotte was a constant and passionate companion, advisor, historian and friend. Remarkably, her dedication to the community extended far beyond our station. Charlotte was known to many for her civic leadership, tenacity and commitment to the organizations she loved. In March 2009, the State of Nevada issued a Concurrent Resolution in recognition and appreciation of her “magnanimous volunteer support of education in Nevada.”
Because of her support and advocacy, thousands of economically disadvantaged children have been able to attend the Sun Summer Camp, experience performance art through Allied Arts, or receive scholarships to CSN and UNLV. Multiple generations of young people have received education and inspiration through organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way of America, Economic Opportunity Board, and Variety Early Learning Center. In many cases her name is on the founding registrations of the organizations and she served each as President or board member.
Charlotte began her philanthropic work in a very small town – a town one-tenth its current size. She resolved to make it more than just a great place to work; she wanted Las Vegas to be a great place to live.
On April 26, 2018, we lost a “founding mother” of Vegas PBS. She will be deeply missed, yet her mark is permanently enshrined in the Charlotte Hill Volunteer Center in our new building, the Charlotte Hill Society, and the blown glass “Blossoming of the Mind” sculpture she challenged the board to fund for our lobby. We are forever grateful for her gifts of service and forever inspired by her passion for this community