COLUMN: Links for Life benefitss worthy cause

Annual fund-raising events abound in Southern Nevada. One of my favorites is the Links for Life golf tourney, because the money raised goes to one of my favorite charities, Child Haven.

This year's tournament is on Thursday, and hosted by Colliers International and Del Webb Corp. More than 200 business leaders will get together at Anthem Country Club to have fun, do a little networking and, hopefully, raise a lot of money for the facility that houses abused, abandoned and neglected youngsters.

During the past five years, the tourney has raised more than $313,000 for local children's charities.

Last year's event raised $63,000 for Child Haven, which applied the funds to construction costs for a new Children's Center housing a child-abuse hot line, an admissions center and a visitation area.

Opened in 1973, Child Haven is a division of Clark County Family and Youth Services and aims to provide a stable and loving environment for these youngsters. County and private funds were used to open the shelter, which averages 120 to 130 children on campus. Their average stay is 28 days, but some remain there as long as three months.

Michael Newman, managing general partner of Colliers International, said Links for Life is hoping to raise $100,000 this year. The money will be applied to construction costs for a playground at the Medically Fragile Cottage.

Beth Mundo, who is coordinating Colliers' efforts, said a group of people from her office were at Child Haven recently to make signs that are put out on the golf course for the tournament.

"Some of us were playing basketball with the children, while others were involved in the sign painting," Mundo said. "While we were interacting with the kids, a little boy came over to give us a hug and said, `This has been the best day ever.' We all had tears in our eyes that this day meant so much to this child. His words really hit home the importance of what we were doing."

Sponsoring the event are: Anthem Country Club, Bank of America, Interstate Plumbing and Air Conditioning, Vestin Mortgage, Harsch Investment Properties and XO Communications.

The four-person scramble begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start, followed by dinner and a charity auction. This year's theme centers around the Great Gatsby era. Participants will receive a new pair of golf shoes and have the opportunity to win prizes. The hole-in-one prize is a Cadillac from Cadillac of Las Vegas West; the longest drive will be awarded a set of golf clubs.

Most materials for this year's tournament have been donated by companies such as Destinations by Design, Opulence Studios, Jason's Deli, Signco and Creative Graphics. Paula Yakubik, owner of Mass Media, has been aboard this project from its inception and donated hundreds of hours of time and other considerations.

Associate sponsors are: Ace Worldwide, American Nevada Corp., Dermody Properties, Houge Furniture, L.L. Bradford, Majestic Realty, Nevada Community Bancorp, Nevada Power Co., Panatoni Development, Roel Construction, Sanborn Bakery, Skipco, Soil Tech, Southwest Exchange, Stoltz Management, Thomas and Mack Development, Trade-Winds Construction, Triad Development and United Title Co.

As you can see, Links for Life attracts leaders from a broad spectrum of the business community.

Las Vegans have long been known for their charity. My hat goes off to those involved in this worthy event.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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