ND’s Weis suits up for VOA (With Video)

WILKES-BARRE – Charlie Weis said he gets from 100 to 200 requests a year to speak at charitable organizations across the United States.

“I turn down almost all of them,” confessed Notre Dame’s head football coach, adding that his hectic schedule forces him to pick his engagements judiciously, or, as he said, “find something where there’s a connection.”

So when the local chapter of Volunteers of America came calling, Weis didn’t hesitate.

The third-year Fighting Irish sideline boss was the featured guest at Thursday’s fourth annual VOA Celebrity Benefit Dinner, held at Genetti Hotel & Convention Center. A record crowd of 700-plus attended the event with proceeds helping one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s human service agencies.

Volunteers of America offers a number of programs geared to helping at-risk youths, low-income families, individuals with disabilities and the elderly.

Weis has a special interest in disadvantaged children. He and his wife, Maura, founded “Hannah & Friends” in recognition of their daughter, Hannah, who has been affected by developmental disorders. “Hannah & Friends” is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing a better quality of life for children and adults with special needs.

“We have enough money to take care of Hannah,” Weis said prior to Thursday’s dinner. “But we’ve seen so many people with special needs that just have crummy lives, that my wife talked me into starting a charity called ‘Hannah & Friends.’

“Our goal initially (was to raise) $100,000 a year,” the coach revealed. “Well, now, we’re raising seven-figures a year.”

The local chapter of VOA hoped to bring in as much as $40,000 from the event, which included a silent auction featuring signed Notre Dame football memorabilia.

“We’re thrilled about it,” said Bill Jones, VOA’s vice president and chief operating officer. “A number of our programs depend on charitable giving for the work we do. And to have coach Weis come in here and help us raise the money that we’re raising for the dinner, we’re just thrilled.”

During the dinner, the 2007 Spirit of Youth Award was presented to Bill Williams, president and chief executive officer of Jack Williams Tire Co.

“There’s so many good organizations and they’re all very worthwhile,” said Williams, who recently underwent hip replacement surgery. “But we just have a feeling for Volunteers of America because they do so much for our youth. They just do such a great job with a minimal amount of staff.