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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!

Tampa Bay Sports Commission

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Rob Higgins with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission came to my house for me to shoot a few promotional pieces on why the Tampa area would be a terrific host for the 2015 Super Bowl.  Tampa is trying to secure the bid for the 2015 Super Bowl, which would be fantastic for our area.  I am happy to do whatever I can to help promote the Tampa area in this quest.  
 
 

SNN Feature

Antawan Smith, a sports reporter, came to Sarasota to do a three peice feature on me that will air in November on SNN (a Sarasota Network).  Antawan is a terrific guy, who I have known for years.  He spent the day with me, covering all aspects of what I do during the course of a typical 24 hours.  Looking forward to seeing the piece air on TV.

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American Red Cross

 
 
 
It was a pleasure meeting Jeannie Slater and Jeff Kassan this morning for breakfast at the Broken Egg Restaurant.  They were auction winners to meet me for breakfast at a fundraiser for the American Red Cross of Southwest Florida.  County Commissioner, Joe Barbetta, also joined us.  It was a lot of fun!!! My wife and I truly enjoyed meeting Jeannie and Jeff, and most importantly helping to raise dollars for a terrific cause.

      

  

Sunkist Contest Winner

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Ron Cottom, the Sunkist Catch Phrase that Pays contest winner, came to Sarasota to have dinner with me and my wife.  Ron is from Tupelo, MS (The home of Elvis Presley).  He came to Sarasota with his buddy Drew Carter.  For winning the contest, Ron received $10,000 from Sunkist plus a trip to Sarasota to have dinner with me.  Ron's phrase that won was,  "call the electrician baby, they are shooting out the lights!"  My wife and I truly enjoyed spending time with Ron and his friend. It was a pleasure meeting them.  I can't thank the people at Sunkist enough for this terrific promotion!
 
 

National Sons of Italy - Orlando

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I was thrilled to be an honoree at the National Sons of Italy Convention. There were over 400 people in attendance at the luncheon in Orlando.  Previous winners include sports personalities and heroes, Joe Garagiola, Yogi Berra, and Rick Pitino.  I am honored to be among this elite group of people.  It was especially meaningful after coming back this week from a ten day stay in Italy.  I was excited to share with the audience my meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.  It was a great afternoon with a great group of people!

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2011 Jimmy V New Jersey Dinner

The V Foundation for Cancer Research proudly presents "2011 Jimmy V New Jersey Dinner"

When: Friday, September 30, 2011

Where: The Brownstone in Paterson, New Jersey

The V Foundation invites you to join their New Jersey "Friends of V" for the first ever Jimmy V New Jersey Dinner featuring dinner, host ESPN`s Bob Ley, special guest Notre Dame Basketball coach Mike Brey and a special tribute to a New Jersey "favorite son" Dick Vitale.

For ticket information, click here or call Joyce Aschenbrenner at 919-380-9505.


Cafe Gabbiano's Fundraiser - Siesta Key

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I can't thank Susan and Peter Migliaccio, owners of Cafe Gabbiano, enough for their generousity in hosting a dinner at their restaurant to benefit the V Foundation.  Susan and Peter kindly donated all the food and wine for the night.  Over 200 people from the local community came to support the cause and enjoy a fun night on Siesta Key.  With Cafe Gabbiano's help, we were able to raise thousands of dollars to battle the dreaded disease of cancer.  Thanks to all my friends and the people in the Sarasota area who came to support this fantastic cause.

 

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Sarasota Boys and Girls Clubs Scholarship Presentation

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It is always an exciting time for my wife and I to be with all the youngsters from the Boys and and Girls Clubs.  Today was our Dick Vitale Scholarship Day and Awards event and it really thrills me to see youngsters chasing their dreams and their goals.  I told them to never, ever believe in the word “CAN’T” and to always make good decision and choices in pursuing their goals.  My wife and I presented a total of $5,000 in college scholarships— $1,000 each to five outstanding Club members bound for college. As long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, we have donated a total of $70,000 for scholarships in the last 14 years.  This year the recipients were:


Dalena Nguyen  - graduated North Port High and will study Pre-Clinical Heath Science at the University of Central Florida. She is a first generation college student and a bilingual student, fluent in English and Vietnamese. She has been a member of the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club member for two years and worked as Power Hour Assistant during her senior year. She is a member of the Key Club and enjoys art.


Caroline Vale  - graduated North Port High School and will study Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Caroline has been a member of the BGC for six years and participated in the BGC Keystone Club for three years.  She enjoys modeling, Karate, is a member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and supports Schools for Schools which benefits “Invisible Children in Uganda.”


Omar Woodard - graduated top of his class from Riverview and plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. He played football at Riverview for four years and ran track for two years. He is a member of Greater Hurst Chapel A.M.E. and the BGC Keystone Club. Omar has been a member of the Roy McBean Club for six years and assisted at the front desk of the Club his senior year.


Quay Williams - graduated Booker High School and will attend State College of Florida studying Business and Management. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with family and friends. He is a member of the BGC Keystone Club and volunteers at Boys & Girls Club. He also coaches at Pop Warner. He played varsity football, participated in the College Out Reach program, A.M.E., Y.P.D. Church and is a Music Manager.

Emily Wells - graduated Booker High School and will attend Memphis College of Art studying Illustration. Her interests are art, children and charity work. Emily was BGC Keystone President and volunteers hundreds of hours. She says that the Boys & Girls Club “saved her life.”

 

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Cafe Gabbiano and Dickie V present "Roam the Regions of Italy"

"Roam the Regions of Italy"

Friday July 29th, 2011

Presented by Cafe Gabbiano and Dick Vitale.

Tickets are $95 per person and limited tickets are available. To request a ticket, please call 941.349.1423

Join Dickie V at Cafe Gabbiano for a special event to raise funds for the V Foundation and the fight against cancer. Enjoy five regions of Italy with food and wine. All proceeds of the event benefit cancer research.To see the event invitation, click here.


 

Cardinal Mooney Basketball Camp

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Today I had a blast attending a basketball camp for youngsters at Cardinal Mooney high school in Sarasota, FL.  My twin grandsons (age 8) participated in the camp, as they love hoops.  Coach Gates asked me to share a few words with the campers, which I was glad to do.  I spoke to them about having passion, strong work ethic, and the importance of making good decisions.  I had a great time with all the youngsters.  It is so much fun to be around kids who love the game of basketball!

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Manatee Chamber of Commerce

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I was honored to receive the Mark Wandall Citizen Advocate Award by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce this morning.  The award is named after Mark Wandall, whose life was lost in a tragic car accident.  His wife Melissa, a strong advocate for lights being installed at traffic lights, introduced me.  All representatives from the local area were at the Manatee Chamber legislative meeting.  The event was hosted by Will Robinson, a Notre Dame classmate of my daughter, now a prominent attorney.  
 
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Quote of the Week

"The Buc created drama as they scored to cut deficit to 14-12 vs. Green Bay. They could not convert a two-point conversion and that was all she wrote! Does not get easier as The Chiefs arrive next week with chip on shoulder after losing to the Colts."
-Dick Vitale