Friends of Scouting Annual Breakfast Kick-off Hits a Home Run
CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon (left) thanks former LA Dodger Manager Grady Little for serving as the 2008 Friends of Scouting keynote speaker. |
On Thursday, March 6, 2008, nearly 500 friends of scouting came together at the Hilton North Raleigh to hear and see Grady Little, who recently retired as the 25th manager in LA Dodger history. Little’s retirement marked his 35th year in professional baseball as a manager, coach, or player.
This breakfast has become an annual kick-off event for the Occoneechee Council’s Friends of Scouting Campaign. CBC President and CEO, Jim Goodmon served as chair of the 2008 Friends of Scouting Breakfast Kick-off which raised more than $445,000 for scouting programs, the most money ever raised in the history of the event.
Greg Fishel, WRAL Chief Meteorologist, served as Master of Ceremonies for the breakfast. This marked Greg’s eighth year as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which has grown from an annual attendance of less than 200 individuals to approximately 500 civic and community leaders attending the breakfast each year.
A highlight of this year’s breakfast was a rendition of the National Anthem by Katie Fritsch, who has performed at the beginning of each Carolina Hurricanes game this year.
Grady Little shared stories from his thirty-five years in baseball and his personal life. He began his career as a catcher at Grainger High School in Charlotte, NC before he was drafted by Atlanta in the 12th round of the 1968 Draft. Little went on to play 167 games as catcher over six minor league seasons. He posted a .207 career batting average with two homers and 37 RBI. He retired as a player after the 1973 season. Little began his coaching career as a full-time coach for West Haven in the Eastern League in 1974. In 16 years managing in the minor leagues, Little compiled a record of 1,054-902 (.539). During his career, Little worked with such teams as the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox and most recently the LA Dodgers.
The Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America provides Scouting programs to young men and women in twelve counties in north central North Carolina. Over 600 traditional Scouting units meet every week in church basements and other meeting facilities across this great territory. Support for this year’s Friends of Scouting Breakfast Kick-Off ensures that the Boy Scouts will be able to provide a quality program and help develop the future leaders of our communities.
Thanks to the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts for this capcom story & photo.
