When ELVIS PRESLEY entered the music scene to dazzle us with his unique style of music, we didn’t know the kind of impact that he would make in our world. But when he exited and “left the building” forever, we knew for certain that our world was forever changed. Such was the impact he made!
Aside from his music, Elvis left us a tremendous legacy. His incredible generosity was one of them! He gave millions to charity, to friends, and even to complete strangers. Now, his legacy of giving goes on through the various fan clubs that honor him. These fan clubs are following the footsteps of the King!
One such fan club is the LAS VEGAS “ALL SHOOK UP” fan club. Founded a year ago by the very charming and vivacious JUDY RI CHARD, the fan club has grown to over 190 members in only one year of existence. It’s because Judy can charm everybody into joining, and nobody could say “no” to her. She, too, can make an impact!
With her effervescent personality, Judy can tackle any event with finesse and enthusiasm. She recently turned that enthusiasm into action when she spearheaded a fantastic fundraising event for “The Smile Train.” The well-attended fund-raising show, which featured Elvis Tribute Artists and other entertainers who are members of the “All Shook Up” fan club, raised considerable money to give “the gift of a smile” to six children born with a facial deformity.
The Smile Train
Headquartered in New York, The Smile Train is an organization that empowers communities by “changing the world one smile at a time.” It helps unfortunate children who were born with a cleft lip and palate smile again. Through The Smile Train, these unfortunate and often unwanted children are able to have a second chance at life, instead of being condemned to a lifetime of isolation and shame.
Coming mostly from developing countries, these children are given free surgery and post-op treatment by local medical teams in local hospitals. The surgery takes as little as forty-five minutes to do, costs as little as $250.00 for each child, and it turns despair into hope, tears into a smile.”
“It’s hard to believe that something which costs so little and happens so fast can have such a big impact,” said WALTER CRONKITE, former anchor with the CBS Evening News. “This life-changing surgery provides these children with a new smile and the promise of a new future. And a second chance at life that they never thought they’d get,”
Since 1999, “The Smile Train” has helped more than 170,000 children worldwide, by operating on more than 100 children a day. “The Smile Train” also supports a broad range of free cleft education programs, including major symposiums, hands-on workshops, and one-on-one mentoring. They also partner with most of the world’s leading cleft research scientists and institutions.
The Show and the Performers
The fund-raising show was held at the Gold Strike Hotel & Casino in Jean, Nevada, in November last year. The performers, who donated their time and talent for a worthy cause, were Elvis Tribute Artists, country music singers, rock and roll singers, and celebrity impersonators from Las Vegas, California and Arizona.
They awesome entertainers were: BILL O’NEAL, FRED CISNEROS, DENNIS SKILES, BARRY RUBIN, BARRY STEVENS, FRANK SAHAGUN, SONNY BOLINE, STEVE MASON, KEN YUVIENCO, DONNY FOX, LARRY CUDNIK, CRYSTAL TRACY, STEVE DOUCET, TIM RICKEY, NARRIE KING, BRAD PIJLACK, DON ROSE, RYAN ROSE, CHANCE MICHAELS, PAUL MONROE, TRAVIS ALLEN, G.K. BEAR, JOEY FRANKILIN, CHUCK RAWLINGS, J.J., DEKE RIVERS, DEKE WESSEL, DAVE HOOVER, HANK CASTRO, JOHNNY HAGAN, JAMES ROMPEL, MARK DAVIS, RICK JAMES, STEVE MASON, WAYNE DILGER, JEFF RUTKIN, TIM RITCHEY and BEAR ALLEN.
GENE LANE was the show’s musical director, with JOHHNY V as emcee. Four reporters covered the event: EMILY BRISTO with City Life, JASON BRACELINE with the Las Vegas Review Journal, CHUCK BAKER with the Veterans Reporter, and this LLM reporter.
The theme of the evening was “Stars from the Past”, so some members came dressed up as their favorite movie star. Vendors came with lots of Elvis collectibles, a raffle was conducted and lots of prizes were given, and there was also an auction of Elvis memorabilia.
The Club’s Mission Statement
“All Shook Up in Vegas” is an EPE-registered Elvis Presley Fan Club celebrating the life, music, movies and generosity of the man known as “The King of Rock n’ Roll.” This club is a non-profit club formed for the express purpose of bringing together Elvis fans who wish to keep the memory of Elvis alive and giving them a collective identity within which to operate.
The Club’s officers are: JUDY RI CHARD, president; MONICA BEISECKER, vice-president; JILL CLARK, secretary; DEBI HARTRANFT, treasurer; and SYLVIA RONQUILLO, news editor.
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Zena may be reached by email at blue-orchid@hotmail.com
