Kids need help to get to camp

Friday, April 26, 2002 | 2:09 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: April 27, 2002

The father of a 13-year-old boy says his son started to hang around youths in the neighborhood who had "negative behaviors." He was at risk for using drugs and for other destructive behaviors.

But through his involvement with the Boys and Girls Clubs, he has made a complete turnaround in his attitude toward home life, school work and setting goals.

The father says the boy has worked hard to eliminate the negative influences, and that's why his son deserves to go to camp with other youths from the Boys and Girls Clubs.

A mother describes her 14-year-old daughter as a good girl who helps care for her younger brother and sister. Every day after school, the girl picks them up from day care, and she fixes dinner nearly every night.

The girl could use a break and would benefit from a summer camp experience, but her mother can only afford to pay $15.

The parents of both teens are asking for help from the Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund, which underwrites the cost of camp for children who otherwise could not afford to go. All money collected by the Sun goes directly to camp scholarships, and all administrative costs are absorbed by the newspaper.

By joining contributors to the Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund you are making a difference in a child's life.

Some recent contributors:

Lillian K. Walker Trust; Conrad Villella/Basic Future Properties; W.G. or Marilyn Flangas; Las Vegas Sun Auction; Las Vegas OPTI-MRS Club; Frank and Bonnie Martin; American West Homes; Stephen J. Cloobeck.

Howard Hughes Properties; Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation; Standard Wholesale Supply; Southwest Gas Corp.; Friendly Ford; Charles L. Silverman; Citibank (Nevada) N.A.; Robert Bencivenga/Bettina Sobey.

Friedmutter Group; Vytas Vaitkus; Joe DeMatteo; Walker Furniture; Fred and Janice Allen "In memory of Helen Powell"; Mary Rote; Margaret G. Hawkins; Helen L. Jackson/Lynn D. Lybeck; and Kathleen D. Pratt.