CLOSE-UP
The Detroit Games will be the size of the Winter
Olympics and set a financial pattern for the future.
fund-raising materials, the
computer program used by
the Detroit housing com-
mittee, even the 39 flag
poles at the opening
ceremonies.
"This will help com-
munities focus on the prob-
lems," Plotnick says. "They
won't need to lose money to
host the Games."
With that financial base,
Plotnick envisions
expanding the Games' scope.
Regional games could be
held throughout the United
States on the odd-numbered
years between the North
American Games. With mul-
tiple sites, the regionals
could total 5,000 to 10,000
young athletes, and Plotnick
would like to see the inclu-
sion of folkdance and art
competitions.
"When we hosted the
Games in '84 and said we
wanted to host 1,000 kids,
everybody thought we were
nuts." With funding in
place, Plotnick believes re-
gional games of 500 to 1,000
will be normal and
"communities who said they
couldn't handle 200 to 300
won't think twice about 500
to 1,000."
Plotnick predicts a max-
imum of 3,000 athletes at
the North American Games
because of the logistics of
transportation and home
hospitality.
Lenny Rubin, assistant di-
rector of the Jewish Com-
munity Centers Association
of North America (JCCA),
credits Detroiters for
pushing the Games idea and
establishing the financial
model.
"The Detroit JCC board
has agreed to allow Mort to
help us with this for 20-25
days over the next few years.
We hope eventually to have
someone at JCCA do this.
"We've been involved
since 1984, but the person
who has pushed this with"
the Jewish Center movement
is Mort. It makes this more
than just athletic competi-
tion. It makes it easier for
any size community to sup-
port the Games."
Hugh Greenberg, former
president of the Detroit JCC,
has chaired the Games
commission for JWB and
JCCA for five years. He al-
ready sees an impact from
Jay Robinson is bringing back volunteers, and seeking more.
the financial model.
"We are seeing more en-
thusiasm from other cities to
host the Games," Greenberg
Goods, TDK, Gillette, Mars,
Planters, Tulkoff Products
and Highland Superstores.
While recruiting corpora-
tions, Plotnick has created a
fund-raising model for
future Games. He has al-
ready briefed officials in
Baltimore, site of the 1992
North American Games, and
will advise cities that will
host regional games in 1991
and 1993.
Plotnick's model includes
26
FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1990
says. "We have received
queries up to six years in ad-
vance and it is conceivable
that we could have the 1994
and 1996 sites established
by the end of this year."
Says Jay Robinson, "I
can't tell you how many peo-
ple are taking the week off to
work on the Games, or how
many people are returning
from 1984 because they
thought it was the time of
their life.
"All I can say is that you
don't get that kind of return
unless people think their
efforts are addressed to
something worthwhile." LI
To Volunteer
Volunteers for the JCC-
North American Maccabi
Youth Games are still needed.
More than 800 individuals
and families have signed up
to host young athletes, but
200 more are needed.
• The hosts provide sleeping
quarters and breakfasts, and
ensure that the athletes
reach their bus drop-off
points. Host families are in-
vited to all athletic competi-
tions, the opening
ceremonies at the Palace
and closing ceremonies at
the Jewish Community
Center.
Volunteers are also needed
to serve lunches, monitor
bus stops, and run the
athletic competitions. To
volunteer, call the JCC-
Maccabi office, 661-1000.