Donations
OVER $15,000 RAISED
Public Statement
July 31, 2008: The “Viva Las Vegas!” Elvis Presley Fan Club was happy to announce that the fundraising goal had been met for its “A Star for Elvis” Campaign – to install a star honoring Elvis Presley on the “Las Vegas Walk of Stars”. How appropriate an announcement for the 39th anniversary of the day Elvis returned to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Since February 28, in only 5 months, donations have been collected totaling over $15,000. The $15,000 total has been verified by Mr Robert Alexander, the President of the LVWOS. Any overage will be donated to the club’s designated charity, St Jude’s Ranch for Abused Children, in Boulder City NV. (This is no relation to the hospital in Memphis.)
The star will be unveiled during a ceremony on Friday, Sept 26. The invitee list is limited to donors and VIPs. The star itself will be installed a few days later, in front of the Riviera, next to Liberace’s star. The Riviera is the closest casino on Las Vegas Blvd to the Hilton, concert home to Elvis Presley.
We thank all the friends, fans, and tribute artists who have donated their funds, energy, and time to this endeavor. These fans should certainly feel proud of themselves! We also would like to specifically acknowledge the following Elvis friends for their donations and support: Sonny West, Kathy Westmoreland, Sandi Miller, Jon Patino, and Darlene Tompkins. We appreciate every dollar that has been given.
The campaign would not have been as wonderful and successful without the following: We give special thanks to Sandi Pichon for spreading the word to her many friends and contacts in the Elvis world, to Sue McCasland for providing the Star pins for donors, and to Artie Dadyan for providing Elvis-style sunglasses as a donor incentive. Immense gratitude goes out to local Elvis Tribute Artist Peter Vallee and his staff, and his manager Lucille Star, for promoting and representing the Elvis Star Campaign.
All the funds donated were by fans and friends of Elvis Presley. There was no assistance by any corporation. Once again, Elvis fans have demonstrated their love and support for “The King of Rock and Roll.”
Personally, I have many to thank. Once again I want to state my appreciation for the inspiration of the Bobby Darin Star Fund Project and his fans. I thank my star advisers, the club board of directors, and the members of the Viva Las Vegas Club for their incredible and unwavering support. And, I dedicate my effort to the memory of Janelle McComb and her work to build the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel in Tupelo. Her spirit was a great influence and encouragement to me during this campaign.
Sue L
President, Viva Las Vegas! Club
Sponsor of the Elvis Presley Star
Special Note: Below are the donations from 2008 and 2015. In 2015, a small fundraiser was held to raise funds to handle fees for the new star. The new club donors have been added below. New individual names were added to the complete donor list. All donors from both times are in the memory packet installed underneath the new star.
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DONATIONS
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DEDICATIONS
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CONTRIBUTIONS
Sue McCasland for the star pins used as a donor incentive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In 2015, the Viva club held a mini fundraiser to pay for some costs associated with installing the new star. We appreciate these fan club donors: TCB Elvis Style club - TN A special thank you to Sue McCasland - Viva Las Vegas Club for her generous donation. All names, individual or group, from both fundraisers are on a list installed under the star, where they will be *forever.
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