By Ivy Griffith / Photos by Louiie Victa / Grooming by Bo Brinkman / Location: Red Rock Resort
In the United States, many “talk the talk” about helping veterans, but only some “walk the walk.” Now, a new Las Vegas-based nonprofit has entered the chat with significant fundraising goals. Philanthropists, advocates and friends Frank Fertitta IV and Landon Gyulay recently launched the Easy Day Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. With a million challenges facing veterans who have completed their service, society has fallen short in finding ways to help them reintegrate into civilian life. But it doesn’t have to be that way, and Easy Day and its partner programs are ready to change lives for the better.
In the Navy, “easy day” carries significant meaning. The SEALs have a saying; “The only easy day was yesterday.” And “easy day,” to civilians, means a day when all your cares are set aside so you can rest. The Easy Day Foundation combines those meanings. It honors the military, nodding to the struggle veterans face when they come home. But there’s also hope for an easy and peaceful road ahead.
Easy Day offers resources and support by identifying veterans’ unique needs. Fertitta said of the meaning behind the name, “Our goal is to ensure that when people are out of the service, every day going forward is an easy day. We are flipping that around and ensuring that all the easy days are ahead instead of behind.”
As a non-profit grant-making organization, Easy Day is committed to assisting veterans and providing funding, support, and access to various services. With the unique needs of veterans in mind, Easy Day tailors their approach, ensuring that they’re helping effectively get aid where it needs to be. The primary function of Easy Day is channeling donations into veteran-focused partner organizations, including USO, Folded Flag, Boot Campaign and UNLV’s Military and Veteran Services Center while furthering the mission to address mental health counseling, job placement, training and family support services.
The organization officially debuted on May 18 at an event at Red Rock Resort. Business and community leaders gathered to hear keynote speakers, and Fertitta and Gyulay share their vision for the organization’s future. Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year.
Easy Day Foundation’s extraordinarily well-received debut raised over $1.3 million for its partner charities. This is in addition to the $200,000 Easy Day already distributed to its beneficiaries earlier this spring.
September is Workforce Development Month and Easy Day is launching Heroes Hired: Suit Up for Success giveaway. Undergraduate Veteran students at UNLV can enter to win professional work wear like suits and dresses from popular local retail stores Mastroianni Fashions and Vasari at Tivoli Village by entering on the foundation’s website and telling their story why winning a new outfit will prepare them for the workforce. Donations from the retailers include clothing for up to 25 students to win.
Gyulay says that the organization’s long-term goal is to be an enduring, positive force in the community. “We want to build a Foundation that will be here in 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now. It’s a slow, thoughtful process. We have an amazing core team and we’ll continue to build that the next year.”
Their vision for the future includes expanding the reach of the organization beyond the state of Nevada and adapting services to meet ever-changing needs. They are committed to finding new and effective solutions for veterans, especially when it comes to mental health and employment hurdles they may encounter.
Fertitta and Gyulay met while attending the University of Southern California and remained friends. When Gyulay was visiting Fertitta is Las Vegas, they came up with the idea for Easy Day. They both deeply respect veterans, and those connections have impacted their lives.
A member of the executive team at Red Rock Resorts, Fertitta has been surrounded by veterans his entire life and has long been fascinated by their stories of dedication, sacrifice and courage. Fertitta has been increasingly aware that these virtues have protected his way of life, as veterans make great sacrifices for all Americans. Through this awareness, the NYU at Stern School of Business MBA wanted to find a way to give back.
Gyulay’s ties to veterans are more familial. His grandfather, Wallace Hull, served as a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber during World War II, in which he completed around 20 missions. Gyulay later visited the Normandy American Cemetery, where the enormous impact of loss and deep emotional cost became evident. On the professional front, Gyulay co-founded Quid, a leading private stock investment company, and is a principal at Troy Capital.
When identifying which programs to work with and what needs to be addressed, Easy Day focuses on three main pillars: mental health counseling, job placement and training, and family support services.
The non-profit commits to organizations that offer over 80 percent direct funding. As such, they have partnered with the USO to support the Transition Program, which aids military personnel and spouses in professional development throughout and after military service; The Folded Flag Foundation, offering funding for their Gold Star Scholarship Education Program, which supports kids K-12 with educational expenses, and aids college-bound spouses and children with tuition, fees and other costs; Boot Campaign, with Easy Day supporting their Health and Wellness program which delivers comprehensive treatment plans to veterans and their families who are grappling with the often hidden impacts of PTSD or traumatic brain injuries; and University of Nevada, Las Vegas where Easy Day will help fund their Veteran Career Readiness program, enhancing career development opportunities.
As veterans navigate a post-service world that may feel jarring, Easy Day wants to ensure that easy days are ahead for all. Whether it’s their professional development, family disharmony or reintegration into society, Easy Day and its partner programs are committed to making a difference and showing the appropriate gratitude for servicemembers and their families for all their sacrifices.
When they return from service, it can feel to a veteran like the world moved on without them. They may feel stuck in amber as things spin out of control and wonder where they fit into the grand scheme of a life that no longer involves fighting to stay alive daily. With organizations like Easy Day, brought to life by visionaries like Fertitta and Gyulay, help is available. The only easy day may have been yesterday, but with Easy Day and others who care so deeply, there are more easy days ahead.
Gyulay said that the response in the community has been overwhelmingly. “It’s been positive and strong. People realize that this community needs help. Services like the VA and other support programs currently in effect are helpful, but more work still needs to be done, which shows up in the statistics. Everyone we’ve spoken to has been super supportive, which is exciting.”
Visit easyday.org for more information about the Easy Day Foundation and details on where to donate or volunteer.