Name change under way for Vegas charitable group

Friday, June 14, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

The M.A.F.I.A was rubbed out before it got a foothold in Las Vegas, to be replaced by an as yet-to-be-determined acronym.

Singer/comedian Nelson Sardelli announced earlier this week the creation of the Mutual Admiration Fraternity of Indefatigable Artists (M.A.F.I.A.), a philanthropic organization for entertainers.

"We are a social club for entertainers who want to have a good time, but also who want to help people," said Sardelli, who adopted the title of Fairy Godfather in the M.A.F.I.A.

However, not everyone took kindly to associating the gangster monicker with something good, positive and humorous.

Because of growing concern, Sardelli said the organization will find a new name.

"A lot of my energy has been spent in trying to explain to people the humor of it," Sardelli, who was born in Brazil to an Italian-immigrant father, said. "Therefore, to save time and energy, I acquiesce to changing the name."

Sardelli is open to suggestions for a new name for the club (suggestions should be sent to P.O. Box 4627, Las Vegas 89127-0627).

Among those concerned about the use of the M.A.F.I.A. acronym was television host and singer Tony Sacca. He grew up in a mob-infested area of South Philadelphia and was concerned about the club's image.

"The main thing for me is that anytime you associate anybody's name with something synonymous with something negative, it bothers me," Sacca said.

Sacca is host of "Entertainment Las Vegas Style," a syndicated interview program seen nationally in more than 180 markets on Saturday and Sunday nights; and locally on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays on KTNV (Channel 13), KVWB (Channel 21 and Cox cable channel 12), KTUD (Channel 25 and Cox cable channel 14) and KRVM (Channel 41).

Sacca also belongs to a number of associations that work to dispel Italian-American stereotypes. One of those organizations is the Augusta Society. Sacca said many of its members were concerned about the M.A.F.I.A. acronym, adding that the club has worked hard to create a better image of Italian-Americans.

"For the past 15 years we have sent 20 Italian-American kids a year to college," he said.

Sardelli compares the new club to the Friars Club, founded in New York City in 1904. While Friars is for comics, the still un-named club will be open to anyone in the entertainment industry. Associate memberships also are available for non-entertainers.

Sardelli said the club will hold monthly meetings, occasional roasts and other events -- some of them charitable and some of them social in nature.

"I'm trying to push something beautiful here and I've ended up having to explain the humor in the acronym," Sardelli said.

He said none of the club's members have dropped out because of the controversy, however, some said that if the organization is going to grow and accomplish its charitable goals, it will require sponsorship from corporations.

And corporations might be reluctant to sponsor the M.A.F.I.A.