Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997 | 10:17 a.m.
"GIVING BACK" Those words personify the reason for the success of the third annual fund-raiser sponsored by the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which took place Saturday at the MGM Grand Arena.
Dubbed "An Intimate Celebration," it somehow managed to be just that, in spite of a record attendance. Andre Agassi does more than "give back" to the community where he was raised. Through his efforts and those of his influential friends and many volunteers, the lives of at-risk children are being turned around. Since the Foundation was founded in 1994, more than $7 million has been raised -- $2.7 million Saturday night alone. Every dollar raised stays in the community.
Two major foundation projects opened this year: the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club, a complete educational and recreational facility, and a fully equipped school for the students at Child Haven, a facility for abused and neglected children. This enhancement of the lives of at-risk children benefits everyone. Given hope and opportunity, a child's chance for a productive future is greatly improved.
For the party, the MGM Arena was turned into a handsome ballroom-theater that seated 1,600. Guests were served a four-course dinner created by celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse with MGM Grand Executive Chef Andreas Maeder, and there was a live auction of super prizes, plus entertainment by super talents Elton John, Celine Dion, Clint Black, Ray Romano, Lionel Richie, Jay Leno and David Foster, musical director.
The well-paced auction included many surprise offerings in addition to those listed. Model Cindy Crawford, who will be doing a "Later" show that will follow Jay Leno on NBC, offered a guest spot for two that raised $28,000; Clint Black invited a bidder to join him on his movie set in Texas. The winning bid also included VIP tickets to a Clint Black show and the Taylor guitar used by Black during the show. The package was bought for $40,000. Brooke Shields Agassi sweetened the pot with a walk-on in her sitcom "Suddenly Susan" -- two sets of bidders paid $55,000 each for the privilege.
Bidding was fierce for the fabulous items. Bringing in the highest amounts were the Elton John "On Tour 1998" concert in Australia ($68,000); the 1997 Z3 BMW car and BMW R850 motorcycle ($87,000); the original artwork by child artist Alexandra Nechita ($160,000), purchased by Andre Agassi; an F.A.O. Schwartz sleepover for 12 youngsters in the store after it closed, including party foods catered by Emeril's and a bedtime story read by Andre and Brooke ($80,000); and "Tee Time in Scotland," a foursome's dream with 10 days of play at famous golf courses in Scotland ($70,000).
Dinner for four with Robin Williams at Rubicon in San Francisco was won for $51,000; a day on the set with Mel Gibson was bought for $52,000; and the Austria Ski World Cup package went for $56,000. Other winning bids ranged from $30,000 to $40,000. Among them were Christmas in the palace of the Prince and Princess zu Furstenberg, and a Napa Valley Tour de Four-Ce.
The show that followed the auction was a lively romp, backed by a 75-piece orchestra. In spite of the duration of the exciting happening -- it started with a silent auction and reception at 4:30 p.m. -- no one left until the last round of applause, including: Sandy and Gov. Bob Miller, Debbie and Terry Lanni, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barbara Greenspun, Elaine and Steve Wynn, Perry and Rosemarie Rogers, Julie Walther, Susan and Ken Sullivan, Becky and Frank Visconti, Pat and Sam Lionel, Susan and Irwin Molasky, Jody and Dr. Elias Ghanem, Susan Fine and Charles Lipschitz, Jeffrey Fine, Niki Denine, Jane and Jeff Gale, Robin and Danny Greenspun, Cheryl and Albert Purdue, Corrine and A.J. Tiberti, Debbi and Mike Price, Shirley and Jack Biegger, Donna and Louis Castle, Kathy and Randy Black, Fran and Jon Baker, Gloria and Mark Fine, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, Marilyn and John Moran, Kitty Rodman, Thalia Dondero, Claudine Williams, Leona Gennis -- the list is endless.
The best summing up of the annual event was a tribute to Agassi that appeared in the splendid program/souvenir book from the Greenspun family:
A tennis player who can return a serve is a champion.
A champion who returns so much to his community is an ace.
Advantage Agassi.
More Agassi
In addition to the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's support of the Boys & Girls Club and Child Haven, it supports the Assistance League of Las Vegas, the Nevada Tennis Association, the Cynthia Bunker Memorial Scholarship Fund at UNLV, Boys Hope, Girls Hope-Nevada, the Higher Education Enhancement Act and Inner-City Games.
All of the money raised by the foundation is committed to its recipients. Andre's commitment, as well as Agassi Enterprises' extensive volunteer services, allows the Foundation to have no administrative overhead.
With the support of Agassi's friends and his awesome cadre of dedicated volunteers, our community's at-risk kids may one day achieve their dreams.
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