Las Vegas community events

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Benefits

* HELP THE Y -- The YMCA of Southern Nevada has kicked off its annual Current Support Campaign. The goal of the five-week campaign is $130,000. As a nonprofit organization and a United Way Agency, the YMCA relies on all funds raised in the campaign to support YMCA programs for youth, families, seniors and adults. All contributions go to the YMCA's work in Southern Nevada. Brochures and pledge forms may be obtained by those interested in making a donation by contacting the YMCA, 877-9622.

* COUNTRY RADIO BENEFITS -- KWNR 95.5-FM is sponsoring its fifth "Country Cares" radiothon on Feb. 21-22 to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The event will be broadcast from the Boulevard Mall beginning at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 and will include interviews with local personalities and former St. Jude patients. KWNR and St. Jude will also sponsor a "Capture for Kids event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Boulevard. Local supporters will be "captured" and jailed at the Boulevard. They must collect donations in order to be "released." In the past four years, New Country 95.5 has raised more than $400,000 during its "Country Cares" radiothons. For more information or to volunteer at either event, call St. Jude at (800) 227-6737.

Getting results

* TEDDY BEARS PURCHASED -- Kenny Rogers Roasters of Las Vegas sold teddy bears for $4.99 with any purchase. For every bear purchased, $2.50 was donated to University Medical Center's Children's Miracle Network. Recently a check for $4,762 was presented by Roasters President Sandy Mathes to UMC's Pediatric Ward.

Good sports

* TOUR DE CURE '97 -- The local chapter of the American Diabetes Association's annual bicycle ride, "Tour De Cure '97," will be on May 3. The tour will begin and end at Bruce Trent Park, the corner of Vegas Drive and Rampart Boulevard. Three routes will be offered: 25K (15 miles), 50K (31 miles) and, for the serious rider,the 100K (62 miles). Early registration fee is $15. All riders are asked to raise a minimum of $75 in pledges. Call Scott Dockswell, 369-9995.

* RACE FOR THE CURE -- The second annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure will be March 1 at the Galleria at Sunset Mall. The 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run/walk are scheduled to begin at 8 and 7:45 a.m., respectively. Participants whose lives have been touched by the disease are encouraged to run or walk in honor of, or in memory of, their loved one by wearing a pink back sign bearing their name. Signs are available at packet pickup and on race day at the Survivor Hospitality booth. For more information, call the Race for the Cure hotline, 435-4565.

Special needs

* CARS FOR A CURE -- The American Cancer Society wants your car, truck, RV, boat or motorcycle. It's all part of the organization's "Cars for a Cure Campaign." The donated cars are sold at wholesale auctions with proceeds directly benefiting the American Cancer Society's lifesaving program and services. To donate your "wheels," call 798-6877.

* DONATIONS SOUGHT -- Donations of used adaptive equipment are being sought by Nevada Community Enrichment Program's Assistive Technology Center for its new Assistive Technology Recycling Program. Motorized wheelchairs, scooters, computers, augmentative communication devices, environmental control units, electronic vision aids and similar life-enhancing devices are among those being requested. The goal of the program is to provide greater access to these costly items, particularly for low-income or financially overburdened individuals or families who would otherwise be unable to obtain it. For more information, call 259-0789.

* YARD SALE ITEMS NEEDED -- The Las Vegas Blind Center at 1001 N. Bruce is looking for usable yard-sale items for its thrift store. Donations might include clothing, dishes, linens, furniture, shoes, jewelry, collectibles, books and prescription glasses. The nonprofit organization has been serving the visually impaired in Southern Nevada for more than 36 years. For more information, call 642-6000.

Volunteers

* PEDIATRIC AIDS -- Reach Out, a nonprofit pediatric AIDS organization offering day care and a learning center, needs volunteers for fund-raising, special events, bulk mail and day-care workers who will work one-on-one with children in the day-care center. Only day-care workers need a sheriff's card and a child-care health card. Also needed is a volunteer social worker with a bachelor's degree and a volunteer coordinator. For information, call 382-7337.

* REACH OUT CENTER -- The Las Vegas-based Reach Out Center -- a local facility committed to helping children afflicted with the virus that causes AIDS, is seeking transportation support from the Southern Nevada community to allow more children and their families access to the center. With plans for expansion this year, the center -- which is located at 1522 Pinto Lane -- is specifically looking for van-type transportation to increase its service to the 80 children it accommodates on a daily basis. Volunteers are also needed to assist Reach Out staff. For more information, call Jack Goldstein, 382-7337.

* REBUILD HOMES & BRIGHTEN LIVES -- Christmas in April is seeking volunteers in fund-raising, marketing, home inspection and coordinating to assist in rehabilitating the houses of low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners. The program is enacting the old-fashioned barn-raising spirit -- rebuilding America one home at a time. Call 474-2425.