TimesLeader.com

Football great, Theismann, to speak at celebrity dinner

Joe Theismann, a former Notre Dame All-American and a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Washington Redskins will be the featured speaker at the 6th Annual Volunteers of America Celebrity Dinner. The dinner will be held on Monday, May 11 at Genetti’s Hotel in Wilkes-Barre.

click image to enlarge

Joe Theismann

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

Theismann, the NFL’s MVP in 1983, was a standout at the University of Notre Dame, an All-Star in the Canadian Football League and a Superbowl Champion with the Redskins. His professional playing career lasted 14 years but ended abruptly in 1985 after sustaining a broken leg during a nationally televised game against the New York Giants.

The play that ended Theismann’s playing career was voted the NFL’s “Most Shocking Moment in History” by viewers in an ESPN poll and was dubbed “The Hit That No One Who Saw It Can Ever Forget” by the Washington Post.

Theismann spent twenty years working for ESPN on their broadcast and is an entrepreneur today.

“Joe Theismann’s story is a great one and he is an excellent speaker,” says Bill Jones, VP/COO of Volunteers of America of PA. “He has achieved success at every level of his career and we are really looking forward to his appearance here,” said Jones.

According to Jones, Theismann has a genuine interest in organizations like Volunteers of America. In 1982, he was named the NFL’s Man of the Year for his service to the community and dedication to the health and welfare of children. While Volunteers of America is a very diverse organization with a number of local services, the largest population the organization serves is children and families.

In addition to the dinner, a VIP reception with Joe Theismann is planned as is a silent auction that will feature many Notre Dame and NFL items.

The evening will also feature the presentation of Volunteers of America’s 2009 “Spirit of Youth” Award. More information on the honorees and the silent auction will be released shortly.

Volunteers of America is one of the oldest and most comprehensive, faith-based, human services agencies in the country. The organization first came to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1896 and, today, offers a number of programs serving at-risk youth, low income families, individuals with disabilities and the elderly. The agency is also serving homeless young adults.

Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for students when accompanied by an adult. There are also a very limited number of tickets available for the VIP reception. For more details on the event, please call 825-5261.