Jenna Abrahamm from Tryst loads up her cart with toys.
On Wednesday, the staffs of XS and Tryst Nightclubs at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas gathered for their annual donation to 98.5 KLUC Morning Zoo’s toy drive, shattering their record from last year with a total of more than $171,000 in toys this year. The staff raises money all year long, collecting a portion of their tips and personal contributions to make the donation possible.
More than 100 employees gathered at Wal-Mart at 10 a.m. to stuff their carts with everything in sight from basketballs to Barbies to pirate ships to pillow pets. This year’s efforts added up to more than 11,000 toys and 138 bikes. The donation filled four semi-trucks that were escorted to the drop off point by Las Vegas Fire and Metro. The final receipt stretched out past 150 feet and was raised from morning host and toy drive organizer Chet Buchanan’s scaffolding to show the full effect.
“We are truly fortunate to be in a position to give back to the community each year,” said Jesse Waits, co-owner and managing partner of XS and Tryst Nightclubs. “Our staff always looks forward to this event as it gives us the chance to relive our own childhood, picking out our favorite toys and gifts. Knowing that we’re helping to make the holidays a little easier for our neighbors in need is the reason we always strive to deliver more than the year prior.”
This is the nightclubs’ sixth year donating to the drive that assists HELP of Southern Nevada, a 501-C3 organization started in 1970 with the mission “to assist individual and families to become self sufficient through direct services, training and referral.” Last year’s donation of $106,000 in toys was the previous single donation record to the event, which is one of the largest and longest running single location toy drives in the world.
The toy drive, in its 13th year, is organized by Chet Buchanan, host of 98.5 KLUC’s Chet Buchanan & The Morning Zoo, where he lives on top of a 30-foot high scaffolding 24 hours a day for 12 straight days raising awareness to the Las Vegas Valley about the less fortunate kids and families in our community.
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.
-
- XS and Tryst executive team poses in front of one of four semi trucks full of toys. From left to right: Executive Director of VIP Services John Wood, General Manager Yannick Mugnier, Co-Owner and Managing Partner Jesse Waits, Director of Strategic Marketing Ronn Nicolli.
-
- Cleared racks at Wal-Mart follow the shopping extravaganza.
-
- XS and Tryst staffs donated more than $171,000 in toys to this year’s drive.
-
- Wynn Las Vegas Director of Nightlife Entertainment Zee Zandi purchases Barbie DJ turntables.
-
- 98.5 KLUC Morning Zoo Host Chet Buchanan holds the receipt that stretched more than 150 feet.
-
- XS and Tryst staffs assist in stretching out the final receipt.
-
- Aerial shot of check-out lines.
-
- Check-out lines at Wal-Mart.
-
- Jenna Abrahamm from Tryst loads up her cart with toys.
4 comment(s) 
2 comment(s) 
2 comment(s)
New York
Feb/March 2012
