Together We Can All Make A Difference

On May 6, 2025, the SAHARA Las Vegas Team once again partnered with Kanani Foods, Inc. to host a chef-catered sushi lunch for the teachers at Robert E. Lake Elementary School.
Vice President of Food & Beverage Derek Morishita and Property Executive Chef Miguel Loya supervised the service and led their colleagues in delivering signature SAHARA hospitality to the dedicated educators in attendance.
 
Kanani Foods Executive Kevan Nasserzadeh was honored to be a part of the luncheon, harkening it back to his personal relationship with teaching: his mother was a longtime educator.
 
“That gratitude started at home and has never left,” said Kevan.
 
Derek echoed that gratitude and appreciation in remarks after the event.
 
“Our teachers do so much for the next generation and often get so little in return. Anything we can do to show our appreciation for them — SAHARA will always be first in line.”

On Friday, April 25, our partner school, Robert E. Lake Elementary, hosted its annual Spring Fling carnival — a lively event filled with food, games and laughter.
 
SAHARA proudly participated by sponsoring two games, with our dedicated Team Members running the activities and handing out prizes. Thanks to their energy and enthusiasm, every student left with a smile.
 
This event not only brightened the day for the children but also strengthened the bond between SAHARA and the community. Our Team Members experienced firsthand the joy of giving back and making a meaningful impact.

This year, we proudly donated 20 bikes, 10 scooters, and 30 helmets to Robert E. Lake Elementary School to help encourage student attendance during testing week — doubling our donation from last year!
 
We’re excited to continue supporting these students and helping to make a positive impact on their educational journey.

As part of our SAHARA Cares program, SAHARA recently hosted a special etiquette lunch for exceptional students from Robert E. Lake Elementary School. We welcomed 30 outstanding students, along with their principal and two fifth-grade teachers for an afternoon of delicious food and valuable life lessons.
 
Our talented Food and Beverage Team Members guided the students through a hands-on etiquette session, sharing tips on table manners, proper utensil use and the basics of professional dining. Following the lesson, students enjoyed a three-course meal — the perfect opportunity to practice their new skills in a real-world setting.
 
SAHARA is proud to support and celebrate these bright young students, helping them build confidence and develop important skills they can carry into the future.

On March 8, 2025, we proudly hosted Project 150’s Prom Closet, providing high school students in need with free prom attire and accessories for their special night.In addition to our team members volunteering their time, we also donated $20,568 to support Project 150’s mission. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, hundreds of students experienced the joy of selecting their first formalwear.
 
Since 2011, Project 150 has been dedicated to supporting homeless and disadvantaged high school students in Southern Nevada, and we’re honored to be part of their mission.
To everyone who helped make this event possible—thank you for making a difference!

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Meruelo Group celebrated the Superhero Program winners with a festive Reception and Dinner at SAHARA Las Vegas. The Superhero Program is designed to recognize outstanding Team Members whose talents and dedication make a significant impact on the success of our company. Seven winners were rewarded with an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prize – a trip for two to anywhere in the world!
 
Our Seven Superheroes included: Jarrod Wendt (CBC), Wilma Arellano (Fuji Foods), Bryan De La Torre (Media), Ruth Masaichi (MEI), Michael Jones (GSR), Diana Rodriguez (Meruelo Group), and Angel Pulido (SAHARA).
 
Congratulations to all the extraordinary winners on this well-deserved recognition!

On October 24, 2024, SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members dedicated their time and energy to making the Fall Carnival at Robert E. Lake Elementary School a huge success! This effort was part of the SAHARA Cares initiative, which supports our partner school and community. The annual Fall Carnival is Robert E. Lake’s biggest fundraiser of the year, providing vital financial support for teachers and students in the classroom. The event was buzzing with excitement as students, dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes, enjoyed a midway-style magnetic fishing game and PLINKO on a board built by our Engineering Team. These games provided endless entertainment as students fished for prizes and watched their PLINKO discs bop and weave their way down into the winning slots. Lucky winners were rewarded with candy or mini cauldrons filled with Halloween trinkets. SAHARA Team Members ran the games and handed out prizes, ensuring each student had a great time. This event not only brought smiles to the kids – it strengthened the bond between SAHARA Las Vegas and the community. Through this SAHARA Cares opportunity, the students and teachers felt appreciated, and our Team Members experienced the joy of giving back.

We are thrilled to announce that Angel Pulido, our dedicated Warehouse leader from the Housekeeping Team, is our 2024 Superhero! On October 17, 2024, Angel was recognized for his outstanding contributions and rewarded with a trip for two to anywhere in the world. The Meruelo Superheroes Program recognizes exceptional Team Members who demonstrate Superhero qualities – courage, integrity, leadership, and a helping spirit. The program reached across all Meruelo companies, celebrating the remarkable achievements of seven outstanding winners. Angel has yet to decide on his destination. He will be looking at a map to make this exciting choice! Congratulations to Angel on this well-deserved recognition; we are proud to have him as a vital part of our SAHARA family.

In coordination with the staff at Robert E. Lake Elementary, SAHARA hosted a heartwarming surprise to honor our Team Members for their dedication and outstanding contributions to the teachers, students and staff of our partner school. On Friday, August 9, 2024, faculty members from Robert E. Lake Elementary paraded through the Casino with posters and cheerful chants, expressing their appreciation for SAHARA. The event was meticulously planned with the involvement of Principal Paola Zepher. Around 50 teachers and staff members from Robert E. Lake Elementary gathered to thank SAHARA Team Members for their unwavering support over the years. As a gesture of gratitude, the teachers handed out custom-made stickers to SAHARA Team Members. The event not only highlighted the strong partnership between SAHARA and Robert E. Lake Elementary; it showcased the warm sense of community that has developed throughout our years of collaboration. It was an unforgettable afternoon filled with appreciation, gratitude and joy.

In a gesture of appreciation, SAHARA Las Vegas honored the teachers at our partner school, Robert E Lake Elementary. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, our Food & Beverage Team delivered 85 breakfast boxes, recognizing the teachers’ commitment to their students and the community. The breakfast boxes were carefully curated to kickstart the day. Each box included a chorizo burrito, yogurt, fresh fruit, and a pastry. This thoughtful assortment was designed to provide a nutritious boost as the teachers gear up for their students to return on Monday, August 12. As the teachers prep their classrooms and lesson plans, the breakfast boxes serve as a warm acknowledgment of their tireless dedication. Let’s join in celebrating these exceptional educators and wish them a fantastic school year!

On Friday, June 14, SAHARA Las Vegas hosted the 2024 Meruelo Family Scholarship award presentation. As part of the property’s SAHARA Cares initiative, six deserving dependents of SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members were awarded scholarships. Las Vegas student Faith Jotojot received $5,000 while students Blessy Ariel Jotojot, Angelina Lourdes Pezzi, Shae Styles, Jonathon Saavedra and Helena Saavedra each received $3,000.

On Monday, May 20, 2024, teachers from our partner school, Robert E. Lake Elementary, gathered for our annual end-of-year pool party at SAHARA! This fun-filled event featured lunch, swimming, and comfy lounge seating at AZILO Ultra Pool. One of the day’s highlights was an exciting raffle that included a variety of fantastic SAHARA Las Vegas prizes including $250 gift cards to Bazaar Meat, $50 Balla gift cards, one-night stays at SAHARA, tickets to Magic Mike Live, and Amina Spa gift certificates, as well as gas cards, HomeGoods and Marshalls gift cards. The teachers expressed their heartfelt enthusiasm for this event, calling it the highlight of their school year. We truly appreciate our teachers and all their hard work throughout the year!

During Teachers’ Appreciation Week, SAHARA Las Vegas honored the dedicated educators at Robert E. Lake Elementary with a delightful sushi lunch, courtesy of their Food and Beverage team. This gesture is part of a longstanding tradition where the quality and thoughtfulness invested in these meals leave a lasting impression. The effort underscores SAHARA’s appreciation for educators and their pivotal role in the community and their integral role in shaping future generations.

SAHARA Las Vegas is deeply committed to community engagement through its SAHARA Cares initiative. This year, the team had the privilege of supporting four exceptional fifth-grade students from Robert E. Lake Elementary, each selected from their graduating class to receive the SAHARA Cares Award. This award recognizes students who embody the values of being Respectful, On-task, Accountable, and Responsible (ROAR). Each recipient was awarded a laptop to celebrate their commendable achievements and behavior. The ceremonies were filled with joy, as students and their families took memorable photos with SAHARA team members. Additionally, SAHARA Las Vegas provided caps and gowns for all graduating fifth graders, ensuring each student felt celebrated on their special day. This partnership with local schools is a key part of SAHARA Las Vegas’ ongoing efforts to positively influence young lives and support the development of future leaders.

As part of our SAHARA Cares program, SAHARA recently hosted a special etiquette lunch for exceptional students at Robert E. Lake Elementary School. We invited 30 outstanding students, along with their principal, two fifth-grade teachers, and the counselor to an afternoon of delicious food and valuable etiquette lessons. Our talented Food and Beverage Team Members shared tips on everything from table manners to proper utensil use, leading the students through the ins and outs of proper dining. At the end of the lesson, the students were treated to a three-course meal, providing them with the perfect opportunity to practice their newfound skills. SAHARA is thrilled to celebrate these outstanding students and help them develop important skills that will serve them well in the future.

On March 2nd, 2024, SAHARA Las Vegas proudly hosted Project 150’s Prom Closet event, offering prom attire and accessories to high school students in need. With the help of 31 devoted volunteers from SAHARA, 419 students experienced the joy of selecting their first formalwear.
 
Project 150 is dedicated to supporting homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students across Southern Nevada. We deeply appreciate everyone who participated in making dreams come true!

An anonymous donor has gifted $5,000 in support of our partner school, Robert E. Lake Elementary. This donation has enabled the distribution of 233 pairs of shoes and 160 Spanish books to the students! Robert E. Lake Principal, Paola Elena Zepher, couldn’t contain her joy: “The moment I stepped into that room my heart was just filled. Our students will benefit so much from the shoes and books. Each memory we make as a partnership provides me with such a sense of family and hope. If all companies were filled with the compassionate souls that I have had the pleasure of working with at SAHARA, our world would be such a better place.” SAHARA Las Vegas is proud to be part of this journey, and we extend our deepest gratitude to our anonymous benefactor.

We are thrilled to announce that Bazaar Meat by José Andrés has been honored as a Las Vegas Magazine 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee. The event took place on January 15th at the stunning Portal inside AREA15. The Hall of Fame induction is a significant acknowledgment reserved for those who have left an indelible mark on Las Vegas’ entertainment and hospitality industry. Bazaar Meat now joins an elite group of honorees, and we are immensely proud of this achievement. We look forward to continuing our tradition of culinary excellence!

For the second consecutive year, our collaboration with our sponsored school, Robert E. Lake Elementary, has been a heartwarming success! Our dedicated SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members have shown exceptional generosity by sponsoring families, ensuring that every child wakes up to a special gift under their tree. This year we were able to sponsor 165 children from 64 families, delivering over 660 gifts on Saturday, December 16th. At SAHARA Cares, we are dedicated to making a positive impact and we believe that every child deserves a sprinkle of happiness, especially during the holiday season.

Thanks to your support, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation will provide more scholarships and networking opportunities for Clark County hospitality students in need. Our Sinfully Wicked evening at SAHARA Las Vegas was a huge success, surpassing our fundraising goal by over 50%! Guests enjoyed a chic dine-around experience with dishes from 30 local restaurants, posh drinks, and enchanting entertainment. The event also featured a silent auction, VIP area, and a private after party. Congratulations to our deserving students, and thanks to everyone who made this magical night possible!

SAHARA Las Vegas proudly participated in Las Vegas Restaurant Week to support Three Square Food Bank’s mission to end hunger. Three SAHARA restaurants – Balla Italian Soul, Bazaar Meat, and The Noodle Den – offered curated menus at a special price, with $6 from each menu going directly to Three Square Food Bank. The success of this event will contribute an additional 18,918 meals for the people in our community who need it the most!

On Wednesday, June 7, SAHARA Las Vegas hosted the 2023 Meruelo Family Scholarship award presentation. As part of the property’s SAHARA Cares initiative, a total of $14,000 was awarded to four deserving dependents of SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members. Las Vegas student Helena Saavedra received $5,000 while students Jazmin Rivera, Michelle McGowan and Jazmyn Rebolledo each received $3,000.

From Tuesday, May 16 to Thursday, May 18, deserving 5th grade students from Robert E. Lake Elementary School received the first-annual SAHARA Cares Award. Created by the school to recognize one outstanding student per 5th grade class in honor of SAHARA Las Vegas’ community partnership, the SAHARA Cares Award was presented to individuals embodying the characteristics of the acronym ROAR: respectful, on task, accountable and responsible.

Thanks to the generous monetary donations and the uplifting spirit of volunteerism by SAHARA team members and the Meruelo family, SAHARA Cares is able to not only provide much-needed resources and assistance but it’s also helped empower individuals and families to thrive and prosper. The unwavering commitment of Mr. Alex Meruelo, his family, and the entire SAHARA family, serves as an inspiring example of how we can all work together to create positive change in our community.

On Friday, March 31, several SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members volunteered their time to visit students at Robert E. Lake Elementary School on Career Day. These Team Members presented and discussed their careers with the students, emphasizing the importance of pursuing an education. The school participates in Career Day annually to motivate students and establish the connection between “real life” work experiences and education.

From Monday, Feb. 27 through Friday, March 3, SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members across various departments volunteered their time reading to Robert E. Lake Elementary School students during Nevada Reading Week. For over 30 years, Nevada Reading Week has been celebrated across the Silver State in March to instill a life-long love of reading in students. “Our Lake Lions look up to positive role models such as these professionals and we are thankful they generously donated their time to share the importance of reading and education,” said Paola Zepher, principal, Robert E. Lake Elementary School.

On Monday, Feb. 13, SAHARA Las Vegas team members distributed more than 350 pairs of shoes to underprivileged students at Robert E. Lake Elementary School as part of the property’s SAHARA Cares initiative. The pairs of shoes were donated by SAHARA team members across various departments. Shoes were the main focus but other clothing items were collected, specifically winter apparel. All donated articles of clothing were placed in the school’s clothing closet, the Robert E. Lake Elementary School clothing closet ensures that no students will go without functional clothes.

This holiday season, SAHARA Cares hosted its own gift giving program for families in need at our sponsored school, Robert E. Lake Elementary School. Thanks to the generosity of SAHARA Las Vegas Team Members, many of these families will have presents for Christmas. Team Members each chose a family to sponsor, finding and wrapping presents containing a toy and a complete outfit for each child in the family. These gifts will be delivered by SAHARA Team members directly to the homes of these families before Christmas.

It’s been an eventful first year of philanthropic community outreach for SAHARA Cares. 2022 marks the start of SAHARA’s partnership with the Epicurean Charitable Foundation and its sponsorship of Robert E. Lake Elementary School. SAHARA also showed its true colors during Pride Month by becoming an official partner with Las Vegas Pride. Last but not least, SAHARA celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a cake presentation, champagne toast, and a month-long celebration of the property’s history as one of the oldest and most iconic hotels in Las Vegas. SAHARA Las Vegas is looking forward to making even more of a community impact in 2023!

On Friday, Oct. 7, SAHARA Las Vegas continued its ongoing partnership with the Epicurean Charitable Foundation (ECF) by graciously hosting their M.E.N.U.S. fundraising event, along with donating to their scholarship fund. The celebration coincided with SAHARA’s 70th Anniversary and featured a cake presentation and champagne toast inside SAHARA’s AZILO Ultra Lounge. Alexis Meruelo, chief vision and purpose officer for Meruelo Gaming, SAHARA’s parent company, made a surprise $15,000 donation to the ECF, which provides scholarships for students to attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ hospitality school.

SAHARA Shows Its True Colors During Pride Weekend in Las Vegas with a 3-Day Celebration
SAHARA Las Vegas showed its true colors during Las Vegas Pride weekend, participating in the festivities from Friday, October 7 to Sunday, October 9. On Friday, SAHARA team members participated in the city’s Pride Parade, proudly marching through Downtown Las Vegas and giving away SAHARA Pride-themed items, such as t-shirts and fans, to parade watchers. On Saturday, SAHARA Team Members hosted a booth at the Las Vegas Pride Festival in Craig Ranch Regional Park. Members of SAHARA’s HR Department and Magic Mike Live cast members were in attendance. The cherry on top to a fantastic Pride weekend was SAHARA hosting the official Pride Pool Party at Retro Pool, where pride partygoers had the time of their lives. SAHARA Las Vegas is a GayTravel Approved hotel and continues to nurture its partnership with Las Vegas Pride.

Backpack Filling Event
 
On July 23, 2022, SAHARA employees volunteered their time to help stuff backpacks with books and school supplies for underprivileged children. The backpacks and school supplies were donated by local organization Foodie Fit, with Robert E. Lake Elementary School hosting the event for three of the schools. This event was done as part of SAHARA Cares initiatives and the backpacks will be distributed to children in need on the first day of school in August.

On July 21, 2022, SAHARA Las Vegas hosted the Meruelo Family Scholarship award presentation inside the Team Member Dining Room and honorary luncheon inside Zeffer’s Café. A total of $12,500 was awarded to five deserving dependents of SAHARA Las Vegas team members. During the event, all five scholarship winners were presented with jumbo $2,500 checks by chief vision and purpose officer Alexis Meruelo and general manager Paul Hobson. The Meruelo Family’s focus on education has fueled both companies’ community impact over the years.

SAHARA Las Vegas Is A Proud Sponsor Of The 2022 Las Vegas Pride Event
 
Join us in celebrating this resilient, bold, and beautiful community.
 
Friday, October 7, 2022 – Pride Walk
Saturday, October, 8, 2022 – Pride Festival
 
To learn more about this amazing organization, the great work they do and to discover how you can get involved, please visit their website.

In May of 2022 we joined Las Vegas Restaurant Week to enhance Three Square Food Bank’s reach. Their mission is to provide meals for families and individuals facing hunger. $6 per menu sold was donated to Three Square to support their efforts. We’re so proud to share that we were able to raise over $5,600 through The Noodle Den and Bazaar Meat By José Andrés to help their efforts. If you would like to learn more about this organization or to support them, please visit threesquare.org

As part of our SAHARA Cares initiatives, we have adopted a local elementary school! Robert E. Lake is a title one school which provides education for disadvantaged, low-achieving, high poverty, and neglected children.

Their mission is to make an impact in the local Las Vegas community by supporting youth education programs and economic mobility for minorities, SAHARA Cares strives to recognize hardworking teachers and their commitment to their students, and it was an honor to host their end-of-year celebration at our AZILO Ultra Pool offering food, beverages and raffle prizes. In the words of the teachers, “it was magical.”

We’re looking forward to supporting the school with a back-to-school drive, food drives, reading to the students, and much, much more!

SAHARA Las Vegas is excited to announce our partnership with the Epicurean Charitable Foundation A charitable organization aimed at awarding full-ride scholarships to deserving students pursuing careers in the hospitality industry.