Let’s Roll! Kimley-Horn’s Roll for a Reason Raises $1M+ for Charity
In early December, 10 Kimley-Horn employees flew to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the championship round of Roll for a Reason —a dice game that prompted players to roll the dice until one lucky winner hit doubles.
The Top 10 had spent the preceding weeks “rolling” against their coworkers, advancing through several rounds of the competition to be crowned as their regional champion—a feat that awarded each of them at least $5,000 for a charity of their choice. The stakes were high for the championship round, as the rollers arrived at Resorts World Las Vegas for the chance to win up to $100,000 from the Kimley-Horn Foundation to donate to their chosen charity.
The Competition
Roll for a Reason began in mid-October, and employees across the firm competed against one another as they virtually dueled for doubles on dice—and for one of the top spots to roll big for charity. As the competition continued to heat up, the final 10 rollers claimed the top spots and traveled to Las Vegas to stay at Resorts World, which officially opened its doors to guests in June 2021, becoming the city’s most technologically advanced resort on the iconic Las Vegas “Strip.”
Champions for Charity
While all employees were given the opportunity to allocate a $75 donation to Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, or Ronald McDonald House Charities, the top 16 players in each of the 10 regions continued rolling to win a donation for a charity of their choice ranging from $500-$100,000. Altogether, our top rollers received a total sum of $445,000 for their chosen charities, with over $1 million donated by the Kimley-Horn Foundation throughout the entirety of the competition.
1st Place
Ryan Laurent – Richardson, TX
Won $100,000 for National Autism Association of North Texas
NAA-NT provides monthly speakers on latest therapies and biomedical treatments for autism, parent networking and support groups, safety information and police education, information and resources to help families and professionals dealing with autism, an annual conference, holiday party, and appreciation dinner, parent scholarships, self-advocacy group, and community education and advocacy for children and adults with autism and other related developmental disabilities.
“I picked the National Autism Association of North Texas because this is an organization my wife has personally worked with and seen the impact they provide in the community. They help support families with autism across North Texas by providing grants for therapy, medical needs, communication devices, advocacy support, and much more.”
2nd Place
Jaden Dawson – Austin, TX
Won $75,000 for The nsoro Foundation
Our mission provides the access to and attainment of post-secondary education through a holistic scholarship that shepherds our youth to and through college, optimally positioning our graduates for an equitable transition into adulthood.
“I picked The nsoro Foundation because of the support they offer to kids who age out of foster care. They help send kids to college that have been at a disadvantage for most of their life. This charity is special to me because they helped someone who I consider my brother attend college.”
3rd Place
Mylon Nelson – Jacksonville, FL
Won $50,000 for City Rescue Mission — Jacksonville
City Rescue Mission exists so that homeless and needy men, women and families, have their lives transformed spiritually, physically, and mentally for productive lifestyles.
“I chose City Rescue Mission here in Jacksonville, Florida because of their pivotal role in our community. CRM operates out of a place of love to serve kids, teens, adults, and whole families where they are in life, bring people through and away their struggles or addictions, and ultimately point them toward a bright successful future. I’ve experienced firsthand interactions and have relationships with people whose lives have been dramatically changed by CRM! People who were served by CRM who now have homes, successful careers, families, and/or living sober, healthy lives. By supporting CRM I know that the funds contributed by the Kimley-Horn Foundation will go to real people with real names and real faces in my community.”
4th Place
Ryan Rock – Raleigh, NC
Won $25,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Eastern North Carolina Chapter
For over 35 years, Make-A-Wish® Eastern North Carolina has served all medically eligible children who reside in the 49 county chapter area east of the Orange/Alamance county line — serving the Triangle to the coast. Our goal is to reach every eligible child in our chapter area and grant their wish.
“I chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Eastern North Carolina Chapter. Some children wind up losing their childhood to illness and are forced to grow up at a very young age. These children end up spending weeks, months, and even years in the hospital. I wanted to help them feel like a kid again and give them memories that last forever!
5th Place
Sarah Knox – Reston, VA
Won $15,000 for The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation
The Tinina Q Cade Foundation (Cade Foundation) is a non-profit organization that was started in 2005 to provide information support and financial assistance to help needy infertile families overcome infertility.
“I picked the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation for the funding and educational support they provide to women and families in their pursuit to overcome infertility. Their family grant program helps to lessen the financial burden of fertility treatments during an already very challenging time. My sister and I were both IVF babies, so I am excited to support women and couples, just like my parents, in building their dream family.”
Regional Finalist
Andrew Forness – Saint Paul, MN
Won $5,000 for oSTEM
oSTEM empowers LGBTQ+ people in STEM to succeed personally, academically, and professionally by cultivating environments and communities that nurture innovation, leadership, and advocacy.
“I chose the charity, oSTEM, because they provide support and safe spaces for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. They have programs to give scholarships to LGBTQIA+ students and hold events that promote community and diversity in STEM majors and careers.”
Regional Finalist
Kayla Kummerlen – Denver, CO
Won $5,000 for the National Park Foundation
As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America’s national parks for present and future generations.
“I chose the National Parks Foundation to help support their mission of protecting the nation’s historic, cultural, and natural resources. They have been the official nonprofit partner of the National Parks Service for 50 years and have initiatives focusing on education, exploration, sustainability, and more!”
Regional Finalist
Mark Wood – Peachtree Corners, GA
Won $5,000 for Paws With A Cause
Paws With A Cause® enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs.
PAWS® increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy.
“I chose Paws With A Cause because it enhances the independence and quality of life for people for individuals through custom-trained Assistance Dogs. Paws With A Cause trains Assistance Dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities, hearing loss, seizures, and autism.”
Regional Finalist
Matt Mendoza – San Mateo, CA
Won $5,000 for the Long Beach Rescue Mission – Lydia House
Our 50-bed Lydia House provides solace and hope in the face of abuse, addiction, financial hardship and abandonment. Lydia House also assists many in finding more acute care facilities, while striving to move all guests into semi-permanent housing.
“I chose the Long Beach Rescue Mission – Lydia House to receive my RFAR donation. The Lydia House provides critical services for women and children in Long Beach. They help many facing abuse, addiction, financial hardship, and homelessness. My family has long been involved with Lydia House, volunteering at special events and frequently serving meals at the home. It’s a cause that is near and dear to my heart. The Lydia House is truly a worthy cause, it’s a place of hope for those in need.”
Regional Finalist
Zachary Schmidt – Phoenix, AZ
Won $5,000 for the National Park Foundation
As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America’s national parks for present and future generations.
“I picked the National Park Foundation because of their focus on protecting and enhancing our parks through sustainable practices. Additionally, we are frequent visitors to our awesome national parks where my kids have embraced these landscapes through some of the youth programs supported by NPF.”
The Kimley-Horn Foundation
The Roll for a Reason challenge was made possible through the Kimley-Horn Foundation, which exists to support community involvement and our passionate employees who volunteer in meaningful ways. The Foundation supports a variety of organizations, including those that offer special education programs for those with disabilities, disaster relief, environmental conservation, and the promotion of STEM education in underrepresented communities. Every year, a grant process provides employees the opportunity to submit an application for an organization they volunteer with that aligns with the goals of the Kimley-Horn Foundation. The close partnership between the Foundation and employees and the firm’s core value of Sharing & Caring ensures that community development begins with established relationships and utilizes the unique skills, passions, and dedication of individual employees.
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