Social Register members still try to top each other

For the past five years, the Social Register of Las Vegas has been exploring the "fun" in fund-raising.

What began as a small, quickly organized luncheon with a handful of women has turned into the "can't miss" event of the year for members of the women's organization because each member who attends must wear a hat.

Members have taken the requirement far beyond expectations. One of last year's winners in one of the dozen categories was a taco hat featuring the "Mexican Hat Dance" song when prompted.

"I'm known as the hat lady," Clair Zeto, owner/president of the Social Register of Las Vegas said. "I have 40 hats and 40 hat boxes. I think I started this because I struggle with my hair sometimes. I wear hats so much that my husband sometimes thinks my hair is attached to a hat. I dream a lot at night, and my creative juices come through dreams. I thought we should do a hat event, but with hats that aren't normal or standard. I thought, `we've got to do something to make it twisty and different.' "

The next annual luncheon is slated for July 17 and Zeto said she can only imagine how outrageous the hats will be this year.

It has escalated to the point where it's the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. People laugh from the time they arrive to the time they leave. You can't imagine what people will put on their heads."

Amid the laughter and the friendly setting is a serious cause to be helped. The Center for Independent Living, a nonprofit local organization that helps homeless or abandoned teens and young adults become self-sufficient, has been the recipient of the donations that come in the form of cash or gifts to fill needs on a wish list.

"(Zeto) met with my husband, executive director of the center on a Wednesday and on that Friday they had the first hats extravaganza," said Nancy Gillis, community liaison and founder of the center. "She had not yet had a charity to benefit. The way that it's run is that it's a wonderful ladies luncheon, but we spend time in the lounge before going in to eat.

"The event has grown from eight prizes for different categories of hats to the point where we had 16 different categories last year. We want to please as many people as possible. Some people work on their hats all year. We make a wish list and (Zeto) puts it out with invitation. They get to go shop. It's a great way to give gifts."

In addition to being a worthy cause, Zeto said the annual event is a wonderful way to overcome the impersonal aspect of a banquet dinner. Since she purchased the organization in 1997, it has grown from 220 members to 2,300. She thinks her innovative ways to get people interacting has something to do with the organization's appeal.

"The best way to get people to know each other is to break the ice," Zeto said. "I hate it when you go to a charity event and you get stuck at those big tables and you don't know anyone. Most people say hello once and that's it. I want to make it conducive to members to meet and make some nice connections. Any time we do a charity event, there's an open bar with elegant food stations and small tables."

In the past the event has drawn celebrity guests such as comedian Rita Rudner and well-respected people in the community such as Nevada first lady Dema Guinn. It has also been filmed by the Discovery Channel and aired as part of the channel's "Casino Diaries" series.

Some of the categories for this year's luncheon include most original, most ornate, best theme, most creative and most elegant, but what Gillis believes is most important to the center is most willing to become involved.

"I've gotten checks from people and donation items," Gillis said. "We usually talk about one of the kids, which brings it home to reality. I'd like to pump up the financial donation aspect of it."

Those interested in learning more about the event can call 562-7511. Those interested in learning more about The Center for Independent Living can call 385-3776.


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