LAS VEGAS -- Station Casinos is giving 70 elementary schools a very big gift. Officials said they will give a total of $405,000 to elementary schools throughout the Valley.

Officials said the donations are part of their "Smart Start" program. The program -- established by the casino company's employees -- provides needed financial and volunteer resources to all high-need elementary schools in the Valley.

Station Casinos will present each of the schools with $5,000 and $10,000 donations, depending on each school's need. The donations will be used to assist schools in such efforts as improving test scores, after-school tutoring programs, parent development programs, purchasing necessary library books and other educational needs.

Officials said since the program started in 2001, more than $2.4 million has been donated to Clark County's high-need elementary schools.

For more information on the program, visit the Station Casino Web site.