Wednesday, April 22, 1998 | 10:13 a.m.
The Hundred Club of Clark County has received support from a member of the Las Vegas community, who in addition to making a donation, will help point them in the right direction.
Not only did entrepreneur Sheldon G. Adelson make an undisclosed contribution to the organization's initial trust fund, but the Las Vegas Sands Inc. chairman is going to provide advice since he is on the board of directors, said Jay Monberg, executive vice president of the club.
Chartered by the state of Nevada, the Hundred Club aims to offer financial support to the spouses and families of police officers, fire fighters and other sworn public safety personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
When an officer dies in the line of duty, the organization goes to the family's house and presents them with a monetary donation. After the initial visit, the organization collects unpaid bills that the widow or family may have and pays up to $50,000.
The club was organized by following the example of the Cook County Hundred Club in Illinois that has donated more than $4.5 million to help over 209 Cook County families.
But the Clark County chapter has had difficulty receiving support from the community.
David Friedman, assistant to Adelson, said he is familiar with the success of similar clubs in other areas of the country and sees it as a worthwhile cause.
"We feel a deep sense of appreciation for those who have served and protected our community, and want to provide their families with the means to get them through difficult times," Friedman said.
"We volunteered to help make some calls. They're a relatively new organization here in Nevada and we wanted to help them get started."
So far, Adelson's contribution is the only one the local club has received.
"We don't do splashy fund-raisers with glitz," Monberg said. "That just isn't appropriate in this situation. We don't want to dramatize the tragedy of somebody's losses."
Monberg said the club approaches potential donors on a one-on-one basis hoping to find donations from "people who have a heart."
With Adelson being on the board, Monberg is hoping to have more fund-raising success.
"What we need is people on the board. Right now we have a lawyer and a banker on the board to assist with any legal problems or questions the families may have," Monberg said.
"It's more than just money for the families, it's a support group," he said.
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