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Meet Your Neighbor: Holly Silvestri
By Callie Thomas
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What lies within 89135 resident Holly Silvestri is hardly tiny. Holly’s heart is the size of Texas, full of generosity and hope, which is attested through her ongoing devotion to her family, including husband Rob and their identical twin daughters Ella and Olivia, as well as helping the youth of our community.
Once a newspaper reporter for a top daily in San Diego County, Silvestri decided to pursue a career in public relations and relocated to Las Vegas in 1998. She founded her own PR company and later merged that organization with The Ferraro Group, a statewide public relations and public affairs firm. Holly oversees the Las Vegas office and its operations, giving her a birds-eye view of the needs of our neighbors. “Being in the community a lot, whether it’s promoting our clients, coordinating marketing campaigns or attending events and fundraisers, has allowed me to view different aspects of the Las Vegas community,” says Silvestri. “I initially got involved with some of our clients’ charitable efforts and then embarked on my own as I saw that the various organizations needed further help, especially those that assist children.”
As a mother of two young girls, it seemed a natural inclination to become involved with the at-risk children who attend JT McWilliams Elementary School. After a client introduction, Silvestri began working with the school’s principal to provide student and school support, including scooter giveaways during math night, reading to children during Nevada Reading Week, and providing school and art supplies as well as much needed clothing with the help of members of her firm. “A lot of people are generous and donate clothes or toys to youths in need. But sometimes the basics are overlooked, like socks, underwear, food and toiletries,” she said. “Children’s faces light up when they see new art supplies in the classroom, but they also light up when they get basic necessities. We’ve dropped off bags of kids’ underwear and socks because it is heartbreaking when you hear some of these kids only have one pair each.”
Holly also gives of her time to assist medically delicate children through her involvement with the Foundation for Positively Kids. Founded in 1999, The Foundation for Positively Kids has provided an array of services and programs to meet the needs of medically dependent children and their families. The group dedicates all of its time, resources, staff, volunteers, nurses and donors to provide a positive environment for the growth and development of our community’s medically fragile and terminally ill children. “I’ve been involved with the Foundation for Positively Kids for several years as a board member and sit on the Community Action Committee,” Holly said.
She has also helped Help of Southern Nevada, a group that serves the poor, homeless and those in crisis, by donating holiday gifts to needy families, as well as being an avid supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, as her grandmother had suffered from the disease.
Holly Silvestri believes part of her success is due to her support system at work and at home. “I have a very supportive husband. He’s my biggest cheerleader.” And while she aspires to grow her business as well as “get serious” about one of her other passions–writing children’s books–she looks forward to staying involved with her children and her work with charities. “It is rewarding to help those less fortunate. It allows you to put things in perspective and count your blessings. Wealth is all relative. Finding a child who appreciates the smallest things in life makes it all worthwhile.”
