Ex-pitcher to aid Make-A-Wish auction

2/16/2010

Former major league baseball player and cancer survivor Dave Dravecky will be the keynote speaker at the 16th annual Make-A-Wish Foundation sports auction on Feb. 24.

The fund-raiser features a VIP reception with Mr. Dravecky from 5-6 p.m. The doors to the main auction and dinner at SeaGate Convention Centre are open from 6-10 p.m.

The live and silent auctions will include more than 300 items of sports memorabilia, sporting and nonsporting tickets and experiences, vacations, women's boutique items, and gift certificates.

Mr. Dravecky rose to fame as an all-star pitcher for the San Diego Padres in 1983. His career came to an end with the San Francisco Giants during the stretch run to the 1989 National League pennant when the cancer that had derailed him earlier in his career returned.

Also in attendance will be former Cleveland Browns Kevin Mack, Reggie Langhorne, Hanford Dixon, Mike Pruitt, and Don Cockroft.

All proceeds from the event will help grant the wishes of children in Northwest Ohio who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Tickets can be purchased by calling Make-A-Wish at 800-666-8539 or 419-244-9474.