Make Rickey's Vegas Trip with Mom Unforgettable

A Birthday Wish: Making Memories with My Mom in Las Vegas!

You're never going to guess where I’m going for my birthday at the end of September? Shocker…Las Vegas!

But this time, it’s not just about me. I’m taking my mom! She's left Illinois less than 10 times in her life, hasn't been to Vegas in 40 years since she married my dad —and I want to make this trip truly special. Even though it’s my birthday, I want to celebrate the person who gave me life, in one of my favorite places in the world.

I know I go to Vegas a few times a year, but I promise it’s not because I’m living large. I make it happen with cheap flights (usually under $200 roundtrip), free hotel stays from my rewards program, and budget-friendly meals. It’s a vibrant place I love—and I’ve figured out how to visit somewhat affordably.

This time, though, I want to treat my mom to something magical: The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere. This was one of my mom's favorite movies when I was growing up. And The Sphere isn’t just a venue—it’s the most advanced LED screen in the world, wrapping 360 degrees around you with crystal-clear visuals that literally make you feel like you’re inside the story. Every inch of the space is alive with light, sound, and motion. Seeing a movie there isn’t like watching—it’s like stepping inside a dream. A bit of a step up from the TCL TV in the bedroom...

2 Tickets & parking for the two of us would be about $400 total for this experience.

If you're a family member, a former coworker, or a friend near or far, and you know how sweet, kind, and deserving my mom is of a nice experience outside of IL, and you're in a position to help me give my mom this one-of-a-kind experience and make this birthday extra unforgettable—for the both of us—I’d be truly grateful for any donation, little or small. I have fun activities and sight seeing spots on the agenda already, and we will definitely have a great time regardless. This would just be the very expensive icing on the most delicious cake, errr something.

To make the journey fun along the way, I’ll be doing silly milestone challenges with my 7-year-old twin daughters, Bailey & Tinsley, as we reach fundraising goals:

At $100, they'll get to absolutely obliterate me with spray silly string, with no resistance from myself.

At $250, I’ll model a few outrageous outfits of their choosing. Who's closet or thrift store will they be from? Who knows!

At $400 when we reach the goal, i'll go on Facebook Live and let them give me a full makeup makeover (...help?!). You can request and have them write stuff on my face with lipstick, suggest colors to batter me with, etc. I REALLY LOVE YOU MOM!!!

And once we’re in Vegas, every single donor will receive a thank-you message from us—sent with love and appreciation from the heart of the Strip....or wherever we happen to be! I highly doubt it, but if for some reason we receive more than $400, there are plenty of other activities for us to do, such as going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, riding the Ferris Wheel, enjoying a more upscale italian dinner, etc, that those funds would go towards, with pictures & videos showing it all! But of course, if we can get anywhere near the money needed for Wizard of Oz, I'll be ecstatic.

I know there are many important and pressing causes in the world, and hundreds of other tangible things that require your money. This isn’t urgent or life threatening or necessary—just a humble, heartfelt wish to create a joyful memory with my mom. Whether you donate a few bucks, or simply send good vibes, thank you for being a part of our story.

With love and gratitude,

Rickey