Tuesday, April 28, 1998 | 10:31 a.m.
The Sage of Boundary Peak has never wavered in a commitment to bring happiness to needy children.
For more than 25 years, the Sage (whoever he is) has been writing letters to the editor of the SUN. Each letter has a small postscript "donation to the SUN Camp Fund." The donation is always two $1 bills.
The Sage's letters are postmarked from a small community in Northern Nevada, and through all these years we have not been able to establish his identity.
He -- or maybe she -- does have something in common with all the organizations, businesses and individuals who help fund the SUN Camp Fund to send needy or handicapped children to summer camp. They share a commitment to children.
As the SUN Camp Fund gears up for the 1998 season it has become apparent that the number of children who will be asking for financial help to attend summer camp will exceed past years.
More money will be needed to bring happiness to the underprivileged children in our midst. We are asking our community to join with us in this worthy endeavor by sending a donation to the SUN Camp Fund at 800 S. Valley View Blvd., 89107.
How did the project get started?
Almost 30 years ago, a lady came to the Las Vegas SUN with an idea.
That lady was good Samaritan Charlotte Hill, who was honored recently at a dinner event to pay tribute to her many years of community service.
Charlotte has that unique quality of being able to present an idea in such a manner that one cannot say "no."
This was the case when she approached SUN publisher Hank Greenspun with a proposal to start a fund to send needy children to summer camp, patterned after the longtime program of the Los Angeles Times.
That was 28 years ago.
Publisher Greenspun assigned me to work with Charlotte. A Board of Directors including prominent men and women in the community, was established and the SUN Camp Fund took off from there.
Since that time fees for summer camp have been paid for thousands of homeless, financially disadvantaged and physically disabled children.
The Las Vegas SUN pays all administrative costs of the SUN Camp Fund drive, including two staff members, phones, printing and miscellaneous costs.
Every penny of every donation goes directly to bring joy to a needy youngster.
Many donors have been participants in the program since the beginning. Others have just become acquainted with the program.
The drive for funds has already begun and we would like to recognize and thank the following for early gifts:
Andre Agassi Foundation, Bonanza Beverage, Daniel Russell, United Methodist Women, W.G. Flangas, Muriel Stevens, Marjorie Barrick, Abe and Evelyne Fox, Burton Cohen, Dr. Elias Ghanem, Claudine Williams, Showboat Hotel, Phyllis McGuire, Frank J. Fertitta Jr., Mirage Resorts Inc., Sierra Health Services, and Las Vegas Hilton.
Also Kitty Rodman, The Bennett Foundation, Piero's, Children's Service Guild of Southern Nevada, Marshall Rousso, Vegas Valley Distribution Co., The Lionel Trust, Alvin Benedict, Paradise Homes, Caesars Palace, Tropicana Resort & Casino, Sprint, Sage of Boundary Peak, Leona Gennis.
A glance at the list above indicates the type of community involvement the SUN Camp Fund inspires.
We hope to send about 850 boys and girls to camp this year. That is going to require a lot of money.
We are asking for your help.
I am still in shock.
As the victim of a most devious and elaborate hoax, I've almost lost my faith in humankind.
One of these days, I plan to tell the whole story so that others might be warned; but I'm still reeling from the implications of what could have happened if I hadn't been lucky enough to meet some understanding and professional Metro Police officers.
SUN editorial cartoonist, Mike Smith, has parlayed his love for race cars into what he hopes will be a lucrative cartoon business.
Mike, whose editorial cartoons appear in major newspapers and magazines, as well as the SUN, has added cartoons specifically aimed at racing and NASCAR. The cartoons will be syndicated by United Media.
And to think, I helped discover Mike.
Does anyone else feel sad when an old Strip hotel is imploded?
The Las Vegas Strip continues to annihilate the past to invigorate the present.
Monday it was the Aladdin that became dust and rubble.
Kids are carrying guns, knives and sometimes drugs into our schools. At least we've been able to keep prayer out of the classrooms.
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