By now, all of you are probably aware of the Relief Effort NCV Chip Set available at the Opera House. The primary objective of this project is to raise $14,000 for charitable efforts in connection with the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Only 150 sets were made. The thought here was that this would be an extremely limited and unique set…oversized…numbered…NCV’s, etc.

The original message announcing these chips was posted on January 1 at 6:42pm. Since then, 36 sets have been reserved via e-mail. Some of these have actually been from Las Vegas area individuals and dealers.

I was concerned that there would not be enough sets on hand for the demand at the Opera House…only 75 sets for the entire Las Vegas chip community. Surely the Las Vegas area dealers alone…just buying one for themselves…would need most of the 75.

I phoned Kevin Mahoney on Friday, just before the chips were to go on sale at the Opera House. The purpose of my call was to tell him exactly how many of the 75 sets in my possession were reserved so the when he ran out, he would know that I could overnight a certain number of sets back to him.

Yes…I recognize that $100 is not an insignificant amount of money. I recognize that many of us have given to relief organization already. I recognize that a lot of money has been raised already. I recognize many of us don’t collect “No Cash Value” chips. I recognize many of us don’t collect Las Vegas or Nevada chips.

Even having said that, I find it absolutely incredible that a total of 4 SETS…4 SETS…bought buy only 2 different people…have been sold at the Opera House. Boy…was I naïve !!

I just think the number of people that gladly paid $40 or $60 or $80 for the Mandalay Bay $1 Year of the Dragon. They made 600 of those.

To those few dealers who have contributed…Andy H, Dave H, Mel J, Bruce L, Rene N, Chuck S, Walter D …thank you…sincerely.

To those other individuals who have ordered sets…Nate P, Mark R, Mike Q, Neil S, Greg S, Jerry B, Travis L, Barry W, Rich H, Ross S, Steve B, Ralph B, Bob R, Rick M, Brian W, Al G, Charles K, Dave C, Joe F, Brian F, Sam A, Bill M, Val D, Gene L, Bill C, Jerry M, Dave S, Don P, Stu L, Jack J, Mike R, and to those that have contributed more than $100…thank you for your generosity.

To those who have not, I hope you might take a minute to see if it’s possible to re-think your decision.

To those who have encouraged me to express these sentiments…thanks for your support. We will sell all these sets and raise the $14,000 as we originally hoped. I hope you will be proud to have a set of these chips in your collection.

As President Bush said, “We will not fail.” As the friends of Bill W. often say, “Thanks for letting me share.”

Terry Lazarus