It's been a privilege to be a part of this charity event

I’ve been involved with the Rochester Press-Radio Club in various capacities for 20 years and I can’t remember a Day of Champions Children’s Charities dinner the equal of this year’s. It was a rousing success from start to finish and I couldn’t be more proud of the job done by the members of our all-volunteer organization. I’ve called Rochester home for more than 25 years and last night’s banquet was just a reaffirmation of what a caring community this is.

These dinners for 1,200 people are a bear to pull off and they never would take place without the tireless and generous efforts of our volunteers, especially my fellow officers, Pat Grover, Mike Kauffman and Keith Ryan. The number of hours these folks put in is mind-boggling. You talk about champions – these three truly are.

As I step down as president of the club, I’m grateful to all of our volunteers who have made the last three dinners in particular so incredible. The club has selfless, visionary people in place to carry it successfully forward, and I have no doubt that they will.

As our headliner, Drew Brees, said last night: “You don’t do something for 61 years unless you’re doing something right. This event has a great reputation around the country, but I can honestly say by being here tonight that this is one of the best events I’ve ever been to, not only because of the people in this room but because of what it stands for.’’

That’s pretty high praise from a national sports figure who’s proven to be an MVP in football – and in life. We’ve been so fortunate to land people such as Brees, Cal Ripken Jr., Joe Torre, Arnold Palmer, Emmitt Smith and Joe Montana in recent years. But we’ve also been fortunate to be able to honor local folks such as Mark Muench, whose graceful battle with brain cancer has inspired a community.

So, I hope my fellow club members take a bow and a moment to bask in the glow of their efforts. They are a remarkable group of people.

And it has been a privilege not only to work with them, but to be able to call them my friends.