Support shifting to locals who lost their jobs

Ed Koch and Jace Radke

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.

While entertainers such as Siegfried and Roy and others are aware that families of victims of terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington still need support, they also realize that the plight facing Las Vegans and the local economy is no illusion.

The world-famous magicians said Thursday they have changed plans to give proceeds from tonight's show at The Mirage to victims of the East Coast incidents of Sept. 11. Instead, they have designated the money for Las Vegas charities to help scores of casino workers and others laid off in recent weeks amid a sharp decline in visitors stemming from the commercial airline hijacking disasters.

In a news release, the illusionists, who have been residents of Las Vegas for more than 30 years, said that "with hundreds of millions of dollars already bound for various relief organizations assisting the plight of victims and families, (we) have decided (the local) community is also in need of help."

Tonight's performance still will be dedicated to the memory of the East Coast victims, they said.

"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, is putting on two free concerts tonight and Saturday night at the MGM Grand to help spark the local economy.

The efforts of leading entertainers to raise money for local use may be signaling a turnaround in the philosophy of where donations are most needed.

"I have been rethinking this whole donations situation," said Henderson singer Shawn Eiferman, who has raised $40,000 for relief efforts through a song he wrote, "Find a Way." "When you have major resort corporations giving $1 million to the relief efforts back East and laying off Las Vegas workers at the same time, something is wrong.

"... those million-dollar gifts could have been used as salaries. The money could have kept people working until things got better."

Leno, a frequent Las Vegas headliner, said he hopes his free shows will help boost business on the Strip. The comedian said he was prompted to do the free show after thousands of Strip employees lost their jobs when hotel occupancies plummeted.

The concerns of the entertainers come at a time when local charities are sweating out whether Las Vegans who already have given so much may not have the funds or inclination to write out another check to be used for local needs.

Trish Williamson, director of public support for the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, said there already is a need for money and support for fired workers in Las Vegas.

"Most of the money we've taken in has been sent to Washington and New York by direction," Williamson said. "We've been following the intent of the donors, but we're very concerned about our hometown."

Williamson said that the Red Cross has not yet seen a decrease in contributions for local issues, and that the response for the people in New York and Washington has been amazing.

The Red Cross has been meeting with local government officials to help get information out about the help available for workers who have lost their jobs, Williamson said.

"Anyone who has been laid off or needs help can call the Red Cross at 791-3311, and we'll direct them to services and training," Williamson said, noting that local Red Cross officials have expressed their concern about local layoffs to national headquarters.

Earlier this week an official at Catholic Charities official told the Sun that the city's social services soon will feel the strain.

"Donations normally given to us are not coming," said Sharon Mann, community relations manager at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. "We are concerned because people are being laid off. We're afraid the demand will be higher than the services we have."

Also this week, The United Way of Southern Nevada established its Displaced Workers Fund with a $100,000 seed grant, to help those unemployed by the economic downturn.

Meanwhile, efforts to help those in New York and Washington continue:

* A benefit luncheon/dinner will be held 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday at the Mediterranean Cafe, 4147 S. Maryland Parkway.

* Car washes will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the studios of KVEG 97.5-FM, 3999 S. Las Vegas Blvd., the Meadows mall, Best Buy, at Sunset Road and Mark Avenue, and the Las Vegas Technology Center, at Tenaya Way and Cheyenne Avenue. Proceeds will go to families of fallen firefighters and police.