Southern Nevadans open their hearts in many ways

Jace Radke

Monday, Sept. 17, 2001 | 8:23 a.m.

Autumn Terrell watched terrorism strike the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from her classrooms at Eldorado High School Tuesday and wanted to pitch in.

Terrell, 15, and her friends raised more than $500 for the American Red Cross by scrubbing and hosing down dirty cars Sunday.

"We were just sitting around watching it and seeing all those people that needed help, and we wanted to do something," Terrell said. "I got the idea for a car wash and asked my aunt if we could do it."

Terrell's aunt, Robbie Pearce, agreed to help, and Terrell took it from there, calling friends to pitch in.

Other Las Vegas residents and businesses are also collecting and donating money to help the families and victims of Tuesday's terrorist acts.

KLAS Channel 8 and Nevada State Bank have raised more than $330,000 for the Red Cross through a hotline service. KTNV Channel 13 has raised more than $250,000 through its hotline partnership with Wells Fargo Bank.

The Nevada Association of Realtors has contributed $5,000 to the National Association of Realtors housing relief fund.

Employees of Aristocrat Technologies, a leading gaming manufacturer, has donated $100,000 to the Red Cross.

Nevada Power has donated $25,000 to the Red Cross.

Other organizations are still collecting money to be donated to various charities.

* The Las Vegas Philharmonic will hold benefit concerts on Friday and Saturday at the Rio's Samba Theatre. Proceeds will benefit rescue efforts in New York and Washington D.C. Tickets are available at the Rio box office, or by calling 777-7776.

* The Southern Nevada Fire Chiefs Association will collect money for the fallen firefighters of New York City on Tuesday at any Clark County, North Las Vegas, Henderson or Boulder City fire station. Contributions can also be made at any time at any of the 18 Smith's food stores around town, or to Bank of America account 0049-6414-0536.

* The Meadows mall customer service center is accepting donations on behalf of the Red Cross.

* Mandalay Bay will be collecting donations to the Red Cross from the resort's employees this week.

* Metro Police and area firefighters will play a charity hockey game 7 p.m. Friday at the Santa Fe Station ice arena. Tickets are $5 in advance at the arena box office, or $7 at the door, with all proceeds going to help those in New York and Washington, D.C.

* The Forum Shops at Caesars has organized a donation point for the Widows and Children's Fund for Uniformed Firefighters. Donations will be accepted through Friday at a kiosk near the Fountain of the Gods.

* Silver Dollar Recycling, 3870 Losee Road, will donate 5 cents for every pound of aluminum cans purchased for recycling until Sept. 30. The donation will be given to the Red Cross.

* The Nevada Community Foundation and the United Way of Southern Nevada have established a disaster relief fund. Checks can be made out to NCF/UW Disaster Relief Fund and sent to Nevada Community Foundation, 1850 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 207, Las Vegas, NV, 89104.