‘Be Kind’ motivates Recycled founder

Justin Spencer says he always tried to "Be Kind" even before he knew about the Josh Stevens Foundation's campaign.

The founder of Recycled Percussion was "a kid that grew up on food stamps and grew up with an alcoholic mother."

Not only has he "never even had a beer" in his 34 years, Spencer is proud to have "made a multimillion-dollar show over 15 years," while "always making sure I was polite to people and respectful, and never burned bridges and just tried to go about things in the right way."

When Spencer met Drew Stevens -- who was motivated to start the foundation after his son's death in a golf cart spill three years ago -- there was an instant bond. "I really had positivity and believed in myself and the people around me. This foundation has a lot of those qualities. We just kind of latched onto it when we came to Las Vegas."

Now, in the only time each night that he speaks from the Tropicana stage, Spencer tells audiences 20 percent of the band's merchandise sales go to the foundation. Moreover, Recycled headlines the "Rock Your Heart Out" benefit at 6 p.m. today at the Hard Rock Cafe, 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Drew Stevens says he never would have asked an entertainer for help.

"It never crossed my mind, frankly," he says, attributing Recycled's aid to the same kind of providence that has seen the "Be Kind" movement embraced by 125 schools in two years. "I don't know how we were so blessed to come together and for (Spencer) to get his band rallied around our message. It's been humbling, to be honest with you."

More celebrities than not give back in some manner. High-profile benefits, such as Celine Dion doing a sickle cell anemia benefit concert on Jan. 15, occur along with less-heralded affairs, such as the entertainers who shared the Las Vegas Hilton last week teaming to help Project 120 for the world's orphans.

But some special relationships have formed between resident entertainers and local causes.

Mac King has become known for book drives and reading in schools on behalf of Clark County Reads.

"Once you do that, people start identifying you with it," the comic magician says.

The most dramatic ongoing story is how Family Promise was rescued from the brink of extinction by the ongoing efforts of the "Phantom" cast.

"There is that real personal connection between the cast members and the families," says Bruce Ewing, who led efforts to help the shelter program for homeless families.

Ewing calls it "taking ownership" in a charity instead of helping when asked.

Drew Stevens doesn't know what to call it. "I just shake my head. The word 'Thank you' sounds so trite."

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.