Las Vegas Weekly

August 4, 2010 · 9:49 AM

Terry Fator donates $1 million to Opportunity Village

By Robin Leach

Terry Fator at The Public Education Foundation benefit at The Mirage on Aug. 1, 2010.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Mirage headliner Terry Fator is making an unprecedented and extraordinary $1 million commitment to the beloved charity Opportunity Village this morning. The ventriloquist is to become a partner with the organization as its official spokesman and is donating and raising the staggering sum.

Terry plans to see that a portion of the donation will re-establish the downtown Opportunity Village Thrift Store, which was recently destroyed in a fire.

“There are only a handful of foundations that I support,” Terry said. “Opportunity Village is a very important local charity that does so much for the community and for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Once I learned more about them, I felt compelled to get involved.

“This is not a one-time commitment for me. This will be an ongoing relationship, and together we will rebuild the Thrift Store and improve the lives and experiences of all those served by this great charity.”

Linda Smith, Opportunity Village’s chief development officer, said: “We are so excited to welcome Terry Fator to the Opportunity Village family. Terry’s pledge of support and help with re-establishing our Thrift Store couldn’t have come at a better time. We are honored to have him as a spokesperson.”

Terry is set to sign on with Opportunity Village this morning at 10, and we’ll have a report and photos of his extraordinary act of generosity right here at Vegas DeLuxe tomorrow.

Terry was the $1 million winner of Season 2 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, which led to a 10-year, $100-million contract as the headline singer, ventriloquist and impressionist in his own theater at The Mirage.

On Sunday night, as Vegas DeLuxe reported Monday, the 45-year-old star from Mesquite, Texas, who now calls Las Vegas home, also was honored by the Public Education Foundation when MGM Resorts International donated $350,000 to The PEF after Terry’s benefit performance.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Phyllis A. James, Judi Steele and Terry Fator at The Public Education Foundation benefit at The Mirage on Aug. 1, 2010.

Opportunity Village has benefited from a long history of local donations and celebrity support. Over the past 56 years, superstars including Celine Dion and Elvis Presley have made contributions to the organization. I’ve joined Siegfried & Roy each year for the Santa Claus Run, and we’re on track to do that again this year.

It is truly a wonderful cause and a great charity, and it’s thrilling that Terry has become involved with its work. Opportunity Village’s mission is to provide vocational training, employment and social recreation for people with intellectual disabilities in order for them to live more fulfilling lives.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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