Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 4:22 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION
September 25 - 26, 2004
What: Andre Agassi's ninth annual "Grand Slam for Children."
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Tickets: $75, $100 and $150.
Information: 891-7777.
It may be hard for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) to match the record-shattering $12.6 million raised during last year's "Grand Slam for Children." Ty Warner, whose toy company created Beanie Babies, wrote a personal check matching the $6.3 million generated by the annual event -- doubling the donations.
The ninth annual Andre Agassi "Grand Slam for Children" will be held Saturday at the MGM Grand.
"We have no unrealistic expectations," Agassi said recently of last year's surprise donation by Warner. "It was a one-time thing. We would love to see it happen again, but we don't expect it. You can't lose perspective of how much money we're talking about."
But you never know what's going to happen at fund-raising events, especially one as worthwhile as the "Grand Slam." All of the money generated goes to a variety of projects aided by the organization.
Among the entities sharing in the benefits are the Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy; Child Haven, a public shelter for abused and neglected children; the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club; the Cynthia Bunker Memorial Scholarship; Operation School Bell; Inner-City Games; Boys Hope/Girls Hope; I Have A Dream Foundation; Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp Fund; Class! Publications and the Youth Concert Series for the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
The next major project being undertaken by the foundation is the construction of a high school -- Phase III of the Agassi Preparatory Academy. Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place next year.
Since the "Grand Slam" debuted in 1995 more than 60,000 guests have raised more than $36 million.
Each year's fund-raiser has topped the previous year's. In 2000 the event generated $3.9 million in donations. The following year's event, which took place shortly after 9/11, brought in $4.2 million.
"We have accomplished clearing the hurdle of making more each year," Agassi said. "We are committed to raising as much as we possibly can."
But one of the world's greatest tennis players isn't in competition with himself to clear that hurdle every year, although that would be ideal.
"Our goal is to make sure we bring something to the public that makes them aware of the needs and allows them to participate," Agassi said. "We push ourselves to have a greater event each year, which we hope will be manifest in receiving higher donations."
Among the entertainers who will perform at this year's concert are Josh Groban, Faith Hill, John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Ray Romano and Robin Williams.
Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer David Foster will return for his ninth year as musical director of the event, which this year is being presented by Aramis and Designer Fragrances.
Pop icon Elton John and comedian Dennis Miller are not on this year's list of entertainers, but that has nothing to do with a stir that was created at last year's event, Agassi said. They simply have other commitments.
At the 2003 concert Miller performed a stand-up routine filled with right-of-center political humor. When John took to the stage he criticized Miller.
Agassi says no edicts have been issued to performers about making political statements, but he added, "I hope they will be part of an evening in which no issues are raised or references made that would upset anybody."
He wants the "Grand Slam" to remain focused on raising money for the benefit of children.
Agassi says at-risk children need help as much now as they did when he created his foundation in 1994 -- maybe more.
"I think what I realize more now is how great the need is," Agassi said. "Without the opportunity for education or hope in their lives they have nothing. The need has always existed -- and today it is as strong, if not stronger."
His prep school, which has an enrollment of more than 300, is a jewel in the crown.
Students, who wear uniforms, attend the charter school eight hours a day, instead of the six hours students attend in public schools. Contracts are signed by teachers, students and their parents, who must agree to be reachable 24 hours a day.
Agassi says the success rate of the students have been monitored since the school opened in the fall of 2001.
"Every kid who enrolled was a year or two behind," he said. "Within one year 84 to 86 percent were up to grade level."
Agassi is eager for the high school to be built.
"The oldest of our first students are in the eighth grade now," he said. "We have one more year of a grace period before they move on into high school."
archive
