Columnist Muriel Stevens: ‘Refs at the Rio’ packs big punch for kids’ foundation

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

THE FIRST TKO for Kids Foundation fund-raiser at the Rio hotel-casino was a first-round knockout.

More than 500 boxing enthusiasts and supporters filled the Miranda Room for this inaugural event, dubbed "The Refs at the Rio." Monies raised will help The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

Make-A-Wish is dedicated to granting wishes to children ages 2 1/2 to 18 years -- all have life-threatening illnesses. The average wish costs $3,500, but what it gives the children and their families is priceless. Through daily programs, administrated by a professional staff, the Boys and Girls Clubs help at-risk youngsters, 7 to 18 years, to develop the skill, attitude and self-esteem that will help them become productive, responsible citizens.

This is the first organized fund-raising effort by the boxing community and it went all out.

The cocktail hour included a silent auction with many boxing items, art, jewelry, dining packages and trips.

Boxing was the theme and it was carried out to nth degree.

Guests were summoned to the dining room by a bell; the dais was a boxing ring; servers were dressed in referee garb; the centerpieces on each table were water buckets filled with red boxing gloves and gold cellophane. Each table was named for a famous boxing champion. The napkins were white terry towels.

The U.S. Marines color guard led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sandy Peltyn sang the national anthem.

Speaking on behalf of the honorees, esteemed longtime boxing refs Richard "The Man of" Steele and Mills "The Final Judge" Lane were former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, Jim Barrett, Jay Barrett, Dan Towbin and Sen. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid who presented proclamations from Governor Bob Miller and from Mayor Jan Laverty Jones. Radio sports personality "Papa" Joe Chevalier was the emcee; a smashing Don King look-alike was an added bit of fun.

Prior to the award presentation, a dramatic piece of etched glass, videos of each honoree were shown. Each began with a baby picture followed by a chronicle of their illustrious careers. Monitors stragically placed around the room gave everyone a clear view. Watching the children of the honorees as they watched the tapes was a show in itself.

The "three round" dinner included a salad designed like a boxing ring -- the ropes were thin pasta, the supports were made of carrots, the mat was white polenta, the fighters were teardrop tomatoes. The main event was a savory one-two-three combination of filet mignon, ahi tuna and lobster backed into a corner by TKO potatoes (garlicky enough to take down any opponent).

The final bell rang for dessert -- a realistic chocolate boxing glove with a knockout mango mousse filling, a garnish of berries and a thin cookie cut to resemble a pair of boxing trunks.

Among those championing the TKO for Kids cause were Bonnie Bryan, Marie Claire and Rino Armeni, Tom and Kathleen McCartney, Kenny Guinn, Nancy and Jack Weinstein, Freddy Glusman, Andrea Waller, Arlene and Jerry Blut, Lynn and Tom Weisner, Kathy and Phil Cooper, Debbie and Brian Munch, Amal and Gamal Aziz, Paul Gordon, Cheryl and Robert Porter, Ron Lurie, Cathie and Jim Barrett, Rebecca and Pat Barrett, Judee and Lee Gordon, Randy Garcia, Gene Kilroy, Mark Ratner, Therese and Oscar Portillo, and Shazad Latiff.

Below the belt

The Don Norberto cigars donated for the TKO silent auction by Tina and Markos Mendoza proved to be just a little too tempting for some light-fingered guest.

Four cigars were lifted by a mindless scofflaw smoker from the display box, one of the dozen boxes donated. Not quite the kind of sportsmanship the Marquis of Queensbury had in mind when he developed the art of the ring.