Fellow Chippers...

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. I can't repeat the exact words Kevin used when he saw the final artwork. Suffice it to say, he thought it was awesome. As mentioned above, they will be distributed in an attractive presentation box containing the numbered set of chips in three separate airtight holders. A scan of the final artwork is provided below.

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. A link to this list is provided below.

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.

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 will be available at the Opera House Casino in North Las Vegas on Friday, January 4th, 2001 at 4 PM.

+ Sets will also be available by mail. CC>CC members can send a check or money order to the address shown below. {NOTE: Please include your club membership number}. If you are not a member, a money order would be preferred. 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