Joey's day
I had the privilege to emcee a luncheon honoring Olympic speedskater --- and fellow Dudley alumnus -- Joey Cheek Thursday.
I also had the honor to share a table with Joey, Joey's parents, a teacher and guidance counselor who helped inspire him at Dudley, and other friends and family members.
All the while, Joey, the gold medalist and Wheaties cover boy, was gracious, softspoken and good-humored. (He had to be exhausted after being shuttled from one local love fest to another.)
Joey's sense of humility and desire to share his good fortune with others is beyond impressive. Sadly, it's also rare and precious in an era of preening, profiling, me-first athletes.
At last count, more than $100,000 had been raised here in Joey's name for local and international charities.
Next on Joey's agenda: volunteer work in Africa.
This may sound hokey, but rarely have I been part of a more uplifting experience.
An update: The community raised more than $292,000 for youth-focused charities on Cheek's behalf, Walker Sanders of the Community Foundation confirmed today.
Comments (3)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Yeah, he's got my vote, too. Isn't it nice that just for a day we can put aside reports, agendas, tax increases, accusations and redistricting for a little hometown happiness? Nope, it's not Mayberry (and Mayberry was never Mayberry), but it was nice.
We now take you back to your locally scheduled programs.
Posted on March 24, 2006 3:40 PM
Sue:
Do we have to?
Posted on March 24, 2006 4:33 PM
looks like a good time was had by all, all i can say is joey cheek deserves WHATEVER good thing that's gonna happen to him, to often ballplayers are overpaid ungratefull people, but thanks to joey some of my faith in humanity is restored. i know that god will be keeping an eye on joey and guide hin in whatever the next chapter in his life will be . iam a afrcian amercian , an joey made SO PROUD , he handled himself with class , respected his fellow countymen , he has compasson empathy and is very humble. so here's from one of his fans in baltimore, maryland.
Posted on March 24, 2006 6:01 PM