Fellow Chippers...
This is a request for help. Please take a moment to read the following message.
Thank you !!
========================
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, I was on my way to
Baltimore-Washington airport to pick up my 19-year-old son, Josh. He was coming home
because my daughter Katie was getting married that Sunday, September 16th.
Needless to say, a day that I thought would be filled with happiness
and family and life was filled with a horrid moral sickness and terror and death. Josh
finally got home on Thursday, Katie got married on that Sunday, and life went on.
Since that day, for many of us, very little has been the way it was. We
in the chip collecting community, as all decent people, have struggled with what to do,
and how to express our grief and other feelings. We have been moved by the stories of
heroism and angered by the details of the attacks.
Charitable giving has also taken on a new meaning. Many of us have
given to relief organizations and there have been many that have generously donated the
proceeds of online auctions to such organizations.
After the attacks of September 11th, I began discussions with my friend
Kevin Mahoney on a project. As many of you know, the Mahoney family owns both the Opera
House and Mahoney's Silver Nugget in North Las Vegas. The objectives of this project were
several:
+ To raise funds for organizations whose sole purpose was to aid families that suffered
direct losses from these terrible events.
+ To make a statement as a community…a community of people who share a fun,
interesting hobby, that said, "We care."
+ To make a set of relevant, timely and unusual chips that any collector would consider
one of the treasures in his collection.
+ To hopefully contribute to positive dialogue among all of the diverse groups within the
chip collecting community.
I am very happy to report that this project is now a reality. This is
because of the willingness of several people and organizations to give back to the chip
collecting community: Kevin Mahoney agreed to allow the Opera House to issue this set of
not-for-profit chips. John Kendall of Chipco agreed to produce them at his cost. Jim
Cassidy of Cassidy Frames agreed to package them in an attractive presentation box, at his
cost.
The set consists of three No Cash Value chips. A total of only 150
numbered sets were made. The chips are oversized 44 mm. (baccarat size) chips. Due to
their size, the number made, and the nature of this project, these chips are very unusual
and should prove quite valuable in the future. To use Kevin's words, when he saw the
artwork for the first time, they are "bitchin'." As mentioned above, they will
be distributed in an attractive presentation box containing the numbered set of chips in
three separate airtight holders. An "oversized" picture of these important,
unique chips appears above.
All of us involved in this project are hoping you will help. We need
the help of 150 chippers. Actually, we need the help of 149 chippers. This is because one
set will be given to President George W. Bush. Thanks to our club president, Nate Pincus,
and the CC>CC board, President Bush will also be the CC>CC's newest honorary
member.
The total production and distribution cost of these unique chips is
less than $1000. If you would like to add a set to your collection, we are asking you to
contribute a minimum of $100. Higher donations will be very much appreciated. If you do
the math, you'll see that this project will generate over $14,000 in profits when all sets
are sold!! No one involved in this project will profit financially. All proceeds above
direct costs will go to the relief organizations. A complete project accounting will be
provided once all sets are sold. Each individual charity receiving a contribution will be
asked to provide individual receipts to all donors.
When you purchase your set, you will also be given the choice of ten
suggested organizations: where your funds can be directed: List of Suggested Relief Organizations.
These organizations are suggested based on our belief that they will
get these funds to those people and their families directly effected by the horrible
events of September 11th. You can also direct your donation to any other
similar relief organization of your choosing.
Many people have also asked about
donating to charities specializing in the assistance of active and past military personnel
and their families. In view of the military presence in our country's continuing war
on terrorism, this thinking is again, very timely. Here is a another list of ten
different organizations which specialize in helping in these areas: Military and Patriotic Charities.
These sets can be obtained in one of two ways:
+ For those of you in the Las Vegas area, numbered sets of these three chips are now
available at the Opera House Casino in North Las Vegas.
+ Sets will also be available by mail. CC>CC members can send a check or money order
to the address shown below. The minimum donation for mail orders should be $100 + $3.50
for P&H and insurance, $103.50 total. Your check or money order should be made payable
to the Opera House Casino and mailed to:
Let's Roll
Chips Off the Old Block
PO Box 57
Dallastown, Pa. 17313
Your choice of organization should
be communicated at the Opera House or with your mailed request. Any funds received without
a specific charity mentioned will be allocated among those suggested.
To order your set by mail, please reply to this e-mail. I'll then send
you back a confirmation and expect for your check or money order for a minimum of $103.50.
Please help…and get a truly unique set of chips in the process.
Thanks…Happy New Year and God Bless.
Terry Lazarus
Chips Off the Old Block