Danza added to ‘Concert of Love’ list of performers

Friday, June 14, 2002 | 9:17 a.m.

What: "Concert of Love."

When: 3 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The Rio's Masquerade Showroom.

Tickets: $35, $100.

Information: 259-3741.

Add "hero" to Tony Danza's list of titles.

When the actor-singer-dancer-comedian learned a benefit concert for Las Vegas' Opportunity Village had lost its headliner at the last minute, he readily agreed to join the show.

"He really came through for us," said Linda Smith, resource development director for Opportunity Village.

The 27th annual "Concert of Love" will be Sunday at The Rio's Masquerade Showroom.

Charo was unable to perform because of a scheduling conflict; Danza is in town through Sunday in concert at Suncoast.

When Smith learned Danza would be in Las Vegas she contacted him through his Los Angeles office, and Danza agreed to perform.

The Masquerade Showroom is home to the Scintas, ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and the Chippendale dancers -- all of whom will perform during the concert. The show also will include the cast of Masquerade in the Sky at The Rio. Local musician Glenn Smith also will perform.

Glenn Smith, former husband of Linda Smith, started the "Concert of Love" after their son, Chris, was born in 1972 with Down syndrome.

Linda Smith said the concerts have raised more than $4 million.

Many celebrities have performed at the concerts over the years, including Bill Cosby, Kenny Rogers and Wayne Newton.

"Wayne Newton is a dear friend. He was one of the first entertainers to lend his support to help us raise money and awareness for people with disabilities," Linda Smith said. "He was the very first to perform at the first 'Concert of Love.' Over the past 27 years he has performed in at least 10 of the concerts."

Opportunity Village was created in 1954 by seven families, each with a family member who had severe disabilities.

"There were no institutions at that time, no education or training for the retarded and people with multiple disabilities," Smith said. "So these parents got together in the home of one of the founders and they started a little thrift store, donating items from their homes."

Over the years the charitable organization has evolved into four thrift stores, and two work-training campuses. It serves 550 handicapped people.

The annual budget of Opportunity Village is $16 million.

"We are unique in that Opportunity Village is an 80 percent self-funded organization," Smith said. The money comes from the thrift stores, the annual Christmas showcase Magical Forest and other fund-raising events, such as the "Concert of Love."

Also, the organization has more than $6 million in federal contracts. "We have the food service contract at Nellis Air Force Base," Smith said. "People with disabilities serve the meals on the base."

The organization also has contracts with a variety of businesses, including airlines (Opportunity Village employees refurbish headsets) and casinos (employees put labels on bingo daubers for Station Casinos).

"We have the manpower and people who desperately need the work and have the desire to work, but who are difficult to place," Smith said.

Most of those who work for Opportunity Village have multiple handicaps.

"But they are spunky and spirited," Smith said. "The just want the chance to be a productive member of the community."