Saturday, March 1, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Two years ago, the first-ever theft from the showroom floor of the Salute to Seniors event occurred -- and it was a big one.
The incident, in which two large television entertainment centers disappeared, left the Nate Mack B'nai B'rith responsible for reimbursing one booth operator $1,000 -- money the sponsoring organization had earmarked for local charities.
"We had good security -- everything was locked up at night -- but it happened," said B.J. "Burt" Black, founder and chairman of the event, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday and Sunday at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
"The next day, I was handed an envelope. Inside was a check for $1,000 from one of our longtime benefactors and a note saying to use the money to reimburse the victims so that the funds for the charities would not be diminished. You know your program has succeeded when something like that happens."
This year's event, targeting a large senior audience with products, services and giveaways, will feature about 200 booths and entertainment. It is expected to generate more than $40,000 for local charities -- pushing the all-time grant money derived from the events to about $300,000.
In just a decade, Salute to Seniors has grown from a simple idea to provide middle-income seniors with a centralized location for necessities to one of the largest annual senior-oriented shows in Nevada.
In 1994, Salute to Seniors received from B'nai B'rith International the Col. Elliot A. Niles Award -- the organization's highest national recognition for community service.
"Once we got past the fourth year, we knew it was taking off," said Black, a 60-year-old retired local art gallery operator who devotes about six months of his year-long volunteer work at B'nai B'rith to Salute to Seniors.
"This could be our biggest year."
For many years, the event has been held at Cashman Field Center. When that facility was not available this year, Black was left with a dilemma, which he resolved by approaching the man who already had been selected as this year's co-community service award recipient.
Sheldon Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands Inc., offered the use of his exhibit hall.
"Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, were selected as the recipients of the community service award for their longtime charitable work and humanitarian efforts," Black said. "Allowing us to use the facility was just a capper."
Although Black's project is large, he has certain logistical problems that must be addressed to keep the event convenient.
For instance, Black, recipient of the 1995 B'nai B'rith Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, says he has to arrange the 200 booths in such a manner that it is not too taxing on the mostly older visitors who have to walk the expanse of the convention center floor.
Also, Black must balance the types of booths ranging from product retailers who pay premium fees to offer their wares to the nonprofit service groups that pay modest fees to share their information.
"I always say that when we are this close to the date of the event, I don't have room for another booth -- but if someone wants to come in and buy 20 booths, I'll rearrange my layout," Black said.
For it is the booth fees that account for all the grant money. Because B'nai B'rith wants to attract the largest audience possible, admission is free, as is parking and a tram service to the hall. Entrance to the entertainment area also is free.
"Our exhibition will reach 20,000 or more local active seniors," Black said. "These seniors have discretionary income and want to do business."
The money raised by the event stays in Southern Nevada, even grants given to local offices of national organizations.
For instance, money that is given to the Muscular Dystrophy Association must be used to send local afflicted children to summer camp.
A grant to United Methodist Social Ministries had to be used specifically to buy wool that the organization used to make winter caps for the homeless.
B'nai B'rith also donated Salute to Seniors-generated funds to Hollyhock Adult Day Care Center specifically for supplies for its arts and crafts department and to Meals on Wheels solely for its Saturday bag lunch program.
Other past recipients of grants from Salute to Seniors proceeds include Jewish Family Services, Nevada Animal Society, Alzheimer's Disease Association, Las Vegas Center for Children, Holocaust Center, Red Cross, Easter Seals, UMC Foundation and Nathan Adelson Hospice.
Those attending the event can expect to find help with their income taxes, information about the notch baby issue and a health fair.
Black admits, however, that the more popular booths are those that give away stuff. For example, in past years, the Mirage Resorts Inc. booth has had lines of seniors waiting to spin a wheel for prizes.
In addition to the Adelsons, Salute to Seniors will honor three others for their humanitarian efforts.
Joe Schwartz, past commander of the Jewish War Veterans Post 711, will be honored as senior of the year for his longtime work helping indigent veterans.
Ed and Nadine Kaufman will receive the volunteers of the year award for their work providing food, clothing and other essentials to many organizations.
Scheduled entertainers for the event include Johnny Jay and his band, Bobby Berosini and his orangutans, and singer Joe Williams.
Co-sponsors of this year's event include KLAS Channel 8, KORK 920-AM, KNUU 970-AM, the Senior Spectrum newspaper, ShowBiz magazine and the SUN.
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