Bill Walton, the former UCLA great and NBA legend, will be the featured speaker at the 7th Annual Volunteers of America Celebrity Dinner. The dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 12th at Genetti’s Hotel in Wilkes-Barre.

 

Walton was a two-time National Champion and a three time NCAA Player of the Year as the leader of Coach John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins from 1972-74. He also earned Academic All-American honors in each of those years as well and was named the US Best Amateur Athlete in 1973.

 

Walton was the number one pick in the 1974 NBA draft and won World Championships with the Portland Trailblazers in 1977 and with the Boston Celtics in 1986. He was the NBA MVP in 1978. He was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named among the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all-time in 1997.

 

Following his playing career, Walton was an award winning television analyst and appeared in a number of movies and commercials. In 2001, he was the inaugural inductee into the Grateful Dead Hall of Honor and in 2002 he received the NBA’s Humanitarian Award.

 

“Bill Walton had an amazing playing career and his accomplishments off the court have been significant as well. Bill is a model of hardwork and achievement,” said Bill Jones, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Volunteers of America of PA. “As a speaker, he is both entertaining and inspiring. We are looking forward to his appearance at our dinner,” said Jones.

 

According to Jones and other published reports, Walton is very close to his legendary college coach. Jones believes Walton will be humorous and meaningful when he talks about his playing days at UCLA.

 

In addition to the dinner, a VIP reception with Bill Walton is planned as is a Silent Auction that will feature many Walton signed items and other sports memorabilia, including autographed items by Larry Bird, Joe Montana and others.

 

Another highlight of the dinner will be the presentation of the 2010 “Spirit of Youth” award. This year’s honorees will be Jack and Cece McCarthy and Attorney Lee Piatt. The McCarthy Tire Company has generously supported the organization over the years and Attorney Piatt has been associated with Volunteers of America as a board member and in other capacities for over 23 years.

 

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.

You are invited to view the Celebrity Dinner photo album: Volunteers of America 2010 Celebrity Dinner