Sun Camp Fund, Youth Forum reflect family commitment

Saturday, July 1, 2000 | 2:40 a.m.

The responsibility of a newspaper -- as the Sun has always seen it -- is to get involved. And when it comes to helping children, the poor and the elderly, or participating in other worthy causes, few organizations have outshined the Sun.

"Hank and Barbara Greenspun have always been involved in the community -- Hank truly helped shape Las Vegas as we know it today," said Sun Vice President Sandra "Sandy" Thompson, whose job is to oversee and expand the Sun's community work that late publisher Hank Greenspun and current publisher Barbara Greenspun started.

Two of the Sun's many community programs enable children to see and experience a larger world and express themselves on issues of the day.

The 29-year-old Sun Camp Fund has sent thousands of disadvantaged children to summer camp.

The Sun Youth Forum is in its 45th year of giving Southern Nevada high school students a voice in the community.

Thompson describes the Youth Forum as "one of the city's best-kept secrets" because the program that counts many of Nevada's most distinguished citizens as graduates is carried forth year in, year out with little public fanfare.

The Sun Youth Forum does, however, get plenty of support from community leaders such as Mayor Oscar Goodman and Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who have served as panel moderators.

"The important job they do is listen to what the kids have to say," Thompson said. "It's a cool thing when adults have a genuine concern about what children are saying."

The Camp Fund remains one of the most endearing programs the Sun offers.

"The Sun Camp Fund makes it easy for parents whose income meets a certain criteria. They pay what they can afford -- $20 per child, $10, sometimes nothing.

"The program gets kids out of the inner-city to a cooler place where they can enjoy many outdoor activities."