Community Activities

You’re almost as likely to find Dickie V on the streets of his hometown as you would behind the microphone during hoops season! Learn about Dickie V’s latest activities—from a scholarship event with the Boys and Girls Club to a fundraiser in downtown Lakewood Ranch, there is never a dull moment when Dickie V’s around Sarasota!

V Foundation for Cancer Research

Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer, V Foundation:

"When the Board of Directors for The V Foundation for Cancer Research was being formed more than a dozen years ago, Jim Valvano’s friend and broadcast colleague Dick Vitale was a natural choice to help keep Jim’s “Don’t Ever Give Up!” spirit alive.

Since then, The Foundation has raised more than $60 million for cancer research, funding hundreds of research grants nationwide. Dick Vitale has played a vital role in accomplishing the three objectives of all great board members – creating awareness, linking and introducing business and private connections, and raising funds – all to help support The V Foundation’s mission to finance cutting-edge research to help find cures for cancer.Dick has used his personal and professional contacts to help generate a number of new donors to The V Foundation, resulting in significant financial contributions annually.

Children's First Head Start and Early Head Start of Sarasota

alt I had so much fun as approximately 40 kids from the Sarasota area, ranging in ages from 4 to 6 years old, joined me for breakfast at my favorite place, The Broken Egg in Lakewood Ranch. The children, along with their teachers, piled into their school bus for a mini field trip to meet "Yours Truly" and enjoy some of the delicious pancakes, eggs and fruit from The Broken Egg. The kids also enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes tour of the busy happenings inside a restaurant and how it operates in the kitchen. In fact, each kid had a blast as they helped the cooks when they helped to crack several eggs in the kitchen! The kids were all very well-mannered and had a great time. But, honestly, I think I had more fun than all of them combined.

Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser

I had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast at the Broken Egg on Siesta Key with some great people who also live in the Sarasota area. I had a blast talking it up with NFL stars, Mike Gruttadauria and Tom Nutten, as well as with Dick Smothers of the hilarious, Smothers Brothers. They were all there to participate in the kick-off for the Muscular Dystrophy fundraising campaign at the Broken Egg. The campaign is led by the one and only, Betty Matthews, who dedicates her efforts to raising money for this important cause. Last year, the Broken Egg raised over $10,000 for MDA and they hope to match it or even exceed it this year.

Tom and Mike were NFL teammates for the St. Louis Rams, and were Super Bowl Champs under the leadership of Dick Vermeil. Tom, Mike, Dick SMothers and "Yours Truly" all had a great time and patrons of the Broken Egg generously gave to support the MDA campaign. We certainly had a blast signing autographs and taking pictures with guests and Betty worked tirelessly to spark a lot of excitement for this fundraising effort. It was a special and fun-filled morning.

Sarasota Area Sports Alliance

alt The Sarasota Area Sports Alliance (SASA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support area sports events and programs, including providing scholarship opportunities to high school athletes and financially needy youth. On November 11, 2006, SASA presented Dick Vitale with its Sports Person of the Year award for his tireless effort in promoting youth sports and supporting efforts to bring events to the Sarasota area. For more information on the event and award, click here.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

alt College Basketball Analyst for ESPN/ABC Sports, Dick Vitale Speaks to Sold-Out Crowd in Greensboro, NC to Benefit the Central North Carolina Chapter of the National MS Society. Emily Conner, Special Events Manager National MS Society, Central North Carolina Chapter:

"On Wednesday, June 14, 2006, Dick Vitale spoke at the MS Society’s 2006 Greensboro Dinner of Champions to a sold out crowd of more then 725. This is the first time the event has sold out in its more than 25 year history. The event raised more than $120,000 and featured a VIP reception with Dick Vitale prior to the dinner, as well as a silent auction.

Payton's Party:

As it appeared on www.dickvitaleonline.com in August 2006 by DIck Vitale:

"I was overwhelmed by the support in my Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton neighborhoods. So many beautiful people rallied around Payton Wright, a four-year old girl with a very rare brain cancer. I am so proud of the people in the area as they showed so much class, responding in a positive way.

They came out to support Payton and her family. She has been undergoing chemotherapy both in All-Children's Hospital in Florida and now at Duke. The parents, Holly and Patrick, have gone through so much, watching their girl go through such tough times. They are so strong and courageous.

Motivating the Troops at Mac Dill Air Force Base

As it appeared on www.dickvitaleonline.com in October 2005 by Dick Vitale:

"I was at MacDill Air Force base in Florida, speaking to hundreds of service members who will be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. They will represent our beautiful nation and the red, white and blue.

Within my speech, I told them how proud our country was of them, those willing to make sacrifices to help better our lives.

I also had a chance to share that many Hall of Fame coaches -- like Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, Lute Olson, John Chaney and a host of others, like Tubby Smith, Rick Pitino, Roy Williams and Gary Williams -- would love to have them on their team. They would be our ultimate dream team because they represent all the characteristics the aforementioned coaches and yours truly would love to see in every athlete.

They have superb discipline, dedication and desire. They are also unselfish, not greedy and thinking of me, me, me. It is all about team, baby, the best one of all, the USA, red, white and blue.

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