NILDA MCKELLAR celebrated her birthday with a fun feast shared by friends and family at the Palms Hotel & Casino last Friday, June 5.
McKellar, a zealous activist, passionate philanthropist and efficient entrepreneur, is considered a pillar in the Las Vegas Filipino-American community where she founded several organizations including the Philippine International Association of Nevada and the Filipino- American Club of Las Vegas.
For her civic accomplishments through the years, McKellar received numerous certificates and awards of recognition from US Sen. Harry Reid, former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones, former Nevada Supreme Court Justice Robert Rose, and former Clark County District Attorney Rex Bell. She also received commendation from former Nevada governors Richard Bryan and Kenny Guinn and Harry Reid when he was a member of Congress.
One of McKellar’s most notable awards, meanwhile, is when she was chosen as one of 256 women on the Las Vegas Centennial, Women of Diversity Wall of Women. The Women of Diversity, is an organization whose mis- sion is to enhance the lives of women in society.
Since becoming a Las Vegas resident, she has helped local families by organizing fundraisers. She also personally assisted victims of crime using expertise on intelligence that she gained in her career as agent and investigator of CIS or Criminal Investigation Service in Manila and agent for OSI or Office of Special Investigation at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, which at that time was the biggest US Military installation outside the country. It was also in the Philippines were McKellar also had a brief stint as an actress under the name Mariza Monteza.
In Las Vegas, McKellar is also known as a successful restaurateur via Nilda’s Restaurant and Lounge and another celebrity club. She also hosted Radio Nilda’s which was broadcast on KLAV radio.
With all her accomplishments, McKellar has yet to fulfill her ultimate dream to build a local Fil-Am community center where people can get together for meetings and groups from different ethnic communities can come to- gether in camaraderie. She also hopes the venue is used for charitable activities like feeding the hungry.
Nilda McKellar & family extend their gratitude and appreciation to the kindness and generosity of the Palms Hotel & Casino Resort Management, especially to Todd Greenberg (President/CEO at Palms Casino Resort), Jake Joyce (Vice President of Marketing), John Krauskof and Stephen Boggioni (Executive Casino Host), and Richie Waitkus (Director of Slot Operations). Also, many thanks to the Palms employees, chefs and cooks who made the event memorable for the guests with their friendly smiles, greetings and hospitality. Above all, the food at the Bistro Buffet at the Palms Hotel Casino Resort is always delicious and the best.
Numerous well-wishers at the event were led by McKellar’s beloved friend Noni Rybka. Also there were her children Maria, Joni and Owen as well as granddaughter Stormy Donoho.
Life-long friends and fellow community leaders who also joined the celebration, include Rozita Lee who is a White House Commissioner on Asians and Pacific Islanders, Dr. Romualdo Aragon, Tess Smith, Mr & Mrs Vic Baula, Mr & Mrs Will Vicuna, Mr & Mrs Epoy Salac, Linda, Lydia, Zen, Luz, Alicia, Neria, Denise, Ramulin and many more.
AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal
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