Peter Collins, controller for Rhodes Homes' Kingman, Ariz. operation, said this is his second year participating in the Run For A Wish event. This year he will be walking five kilometers with his team.

"Make A Wish is a great organization and I am proud that Jim and Glynda Rhodes are such big supporters," he said. "My whole family enjoys events like this. It's a great way to bring a family together."

Rhodes Homes is the presenting sponsor of the event. After marking the start of the race with Mayor Oscar Goodman, Glynda Rhodes will present the Southern Nevada Make a Wish Foundation with a cash contribution from the builder.

Rhodes has been involved with the organization for several years. She remodeled a child's bedroom to help fulfill her wish for a Minnie Mouse room. Proceeds raised from today's event will be used to fulfill more wishes of children who are battling life-threatening illnesses.

New to Team Rhodes Homes this year is Payal Vora, receptionist at the company's southwest Las Vegas headquarters.

"I started working with Rhodes Homes last year and one of the first things I noticed is that they support a lot of charities," she said. "Children are our future and it is important for them to get the support they need. I'm honored to help out in any way I can."

"We are thrilled to have Rhodes Homes as our presenting sponsor again this year," said Kendall Tenney, the event's organizer. "They have taken this event to the next level and their support is invaluable in making wishes come true for children in Southern Nevada who are dealing with life-threatening conditions."

Donations for the Run For A Wish are being accepted online at runforawish.kintera.org/2008. Additional information on the Southern Nevada Make A Wish Foundation is available on the Web site or by calling 212-9474.

Rhodes Homes has built more than 6,000 homes in the Las Vegas Valley during the past two decades and is developing 16 neighborhoods throughout the city. Two of Rhodes' master-planned communities are the Tuscany Residential Village in Henderson and the Rhodes Ranch in the southwestern valley.

Tuscany Residential Village's 35,000-square-foot recreation center, La Vita Tuscana, includes a lap pool, lagoon pool, hot tubs, full workout facility, aerobics room, indoor and outdoor basketball, racquetball, tennis, arts and crafts rooms, billiards, conference rooms, social areas, park areas and jungle gyms for children.

Residents of Rhodes Ranch have access to the 35,000-square-foot R Club recreation center.

The community's Fun Zone Water Park opened last year and includes slides, lap pools, spas and cabanas in addition to play areas and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

To visit Tuscany Residential Village, take Lake Mead Drive past Boulder Highway to Mohawk Drive and turn left. Follow the signs to the clubhouse.

To visit Rhodes Ranch, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Durango Drive, and then go south to Rhodes Ranch Parkway and turn right.

All Rhodes Homes sales offices are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit rhodeshomes.com.