Shaquille O’Neal’s Charity Gala Is Coming Back To Las Vegas

The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation just announced the third installment of their largest fundraising event. Called 'The Event', it is a formal gala that includes a gourmet dinner, live auction, and star-studded entertainment. This year 'The Event', presented by Pepsi Stronger Together, will be on October 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Founded in 2019 by Shaquille O’Neal, the foundation's mission is to open doors for underserved youth in our community to help them achieve their full potential. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation does this in part by partnering with other such organizations. Including the Boys & Girls Club, of which O’Neal is an alumni, and Communities In Schools, where O’Neal currently serves on the National Board of Directors. The foundation helps kids in both Las Vegas at Atlanta.

Tickets to The Event are available and on sale now via AXS.com. Pricing ranges from $50 to $250. That includes the dinner plus a private cocktail reception. There will also be a live auction. Which, according to the foundation website, will include "once in a lifetime packages". After the auction and dinner will be a night of entertainment.

Sponsorship packages are also available and range from $15,000 to $100,000. Details about ticket options can be found at shaqfoundation.org.

This year The Event will be hosted by actor and comedian Joel McHale (Community, Santa Clarita Diet). The entertainment will also feature more comedy by Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age). Musical guests this year include John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, and DJ PEE .WEE.

This year's proceeds will, in part, help fund the construction of a new joint facility which will house a Boys & Girls Club and a Communities In Schools Alumni Center in Las Vegas.

- Wendy Rush, 96.3 KKLZ

You may have seen the article we posted last week about the winning design for the 1 October Memorial. There were five companies who submitted bids. Ultimately, the Clark County 1 October Memorial Committee recommends the JCJ Architecture design. The title: "Forever One."

The JCJ Architecture website goes into great detail about the inspiration for the “Forever One” design. Specifically, inspiration arose based on several listening sessions with various segments of the Las Vegas community. First, they spoke to family members of the 58 concertgoers who perished that night.

After that, listening sessions were also conducted with emergency responders, survivors, and other fans attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival in October 2017. JCJ Architecture also listened to groups of community members who have been impacted by that tragic event even though they did not attend the concert.

JCJ Architecture’s website goes on to mention what they learned from those listening sessions. First and foremost, the memorial would need space to remember the 58 people who died there. Community members noted that there should be a feeling of strength and courage in the design. Additionally, JCJ Architecture is now aware of our community's need for healing and uniting.

Surprisingly, JCJ Architecture also invited the general public to submit “creative expressions” which would honor the victims, survivors, emergency responders, and other groups affected by the tragedy. Those submissions also provided inspiration.

In my opinion, one of the most intriguing aspects of their design proposal may not be noticeable when walking through the 1 October Memorial. In fact, you will notice its unique design better from above. Even though we live here, it’s still a thrill to fly into Las Vegas and see all the lights of the Strip and our growing city.

With that in mind, the “Forever One” memorial design represents the infinity symbol. Therefore, those 18 million or so airline passengers who fly into our airport will view the memorial from above. By and large, they will see a unique “expression of light” against the rest of the Las Vegas landscape. It should be breathtaking and very emotional. Final approval for this project is expected sometime in September 2023.

Scroll down to see some amazing artist renderings of what JCJ Architecture hopes to build on the Las Vegas Strip.

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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