MAKING LAS VEGAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

Fountain change helps local charities

By Beth Fisher

CREATED Feb. 7, 2013

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  • SPOTLIGHT: Money in fountains donated Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Ever wondered what happens to all that money the tourists toss in the fountains down on the Las Vegas Strip? It turns out it's making Las Vegas a better place to live.

Phil and Sharon Lefevere own a limousine company. Like millions of visitors, they're in Las Vegas for a convention and they'll leave behind plenty of change. Sharon says, "I'm so happy to see this is going to charity. I didn't know that. This is our 44th year here and I did wonder where our coins went and if the casino just kept them."
 
These magnificent fountains outside Caesar's Palace are now helping fund the burn and trauma centers at University Medical Center.
 
Gregg Fusto is the Director of Trauma Services, "With the mayor's help, she arrange a meeting with Caesars management. I said we want the fountain. He said why. I said we need the money."
 
Doctors here tell us the money was most recently used  to make a painful, frightening shower room more kid friendly for pediatric burn victims. It helps distract them from the pain.  "There are a lot of charities to give to and I understand that.  But there is only one UMC. Only one trauma center and burn center in the state."
 
Across the Strip and inside the Miracle Mile Shops there are more fountains, more money and more making Las Vegas a better place to live.
 
Angel Williams with Miracle Mile says, "Month after month, day after day, consumers are throwing money into the fountain and we wanted to give back by donating to the community."
 
So, these colorful fountains collect money for different local charities every month.  Last month? The Shade Tree Shelter.  This month, Goodie Two Shoes.  Miracle Mile donated more than $150,000 to local organizations last year.
 
Back outside, a big thank you to the visitors who help make this possible.
 
We did reach out to other properties to find out what they do with their fountain money, but they declined to participate in this story.
 
Caesar's cuts a quarterly check to UMC for the fountain change. It is a great partnership.
And Miracle Mile will focus it's efforts this year on charities committed to women, children, and our veterans.