Community’s needs are just as strong in a weak economy

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

There's no point in sugar-coating the situation: The recent business news has been grim, and there's no indication the economy will turn around anytime soon.

What Southern Nevadans can do is recognize that at some point the economic slowdown will end and that growth will again pick up.

Between now and then, the needs of our community will not change. In fact, they are likely to grow. Children will need to be educated, roads must be paved and police must continue to patrol our streets. The state and local governments in Nevada must continue to meet these needs.

The private sector, too, must continue to give all it can to those in need.

Las Vegas is often perceived as a stingy city where people generally don't volunteer in the community and don't step up to support local and national charities.

Tell that to the 7,000-some participants in the American Cancer Society's Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Oct. 4 at the JW Marriott in Summerlin. They showed up bright and early that morning to raise more than $375,000 for this worthy cause.

Tell that to entertainer Jerry Lewis, who over Labor Day weekend hosted the 43rd annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon at the South Point.

With the weak economy, increasing home foreclosures and a hurricane making landfall on the Gulf Coast that weekend, Lewis had reason to believe that Las Vegans and people all across America wouldn't be in a giving mood.

"I felt in my bones today that because of what's happening in the country today, I had to prepare myself for striking out," he said from the stage Sept. 1.

But with Las Vegans leading the way in the live audience, Lewis again came through with a telethon record $65 million in pledges — $1.2 million more than last year.

Las Vegans have another chance to help a worthy cause at the South Point this weekend.

Entertainer Tony Orlando, a long-time friend and supporter of Opportunity Village and people with disabilities, is performing a benefit concert at South Point at 2 p.m. Oct. 11.

"I have been working on behalf of Opportunity Village since the 1970s. It's been one of the most rewarding projects I've ever been a part of. My sister was physically and mentally challenged with cerebral palsy, and Opportunity Village has created a chance for all of us to do something to help our fellow man,'' Orlando said.

This is one of dozens of causes worthy of support in Southern Nevada.

For instance, there is an event Oct. 11 benefitting animals: the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is presenting the second annual Family, Fur and Fun Festival in Summerlin.

And the Valley Health System on the same day is presenting the 17th annual Start! Las Vegas Heart Walk at Exploration Park in Mountain's Edge benefitting the American Heart Society.

We urge Southern Nevadans to continue to support these and other worthy charities and their fundraising and awareness-raising events. Regardless of what happens on Wall Street, there are real needs in our community.