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“We are honored to have with us a longtime supporter and friend to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter,” said Lisa Gerrol, chapter president. “Bobby, who began his athletic career in his hometown of Stamford, has over the course of 40 years made headlines from Los Angeles to New York to Japan. It goes without saying that we are delighted to have Bobby Valentine on our team, joining us in the fight against multiple sclerosis.” After a successful and much-celebrated high school career in both football and baseball, the Stamford athlete was selected in the first round by the L.A. Dodgers. Valentine went on to have successful stints with the Angels, Padres, Mets and Mariners. After retiring as a player, Valentine stepped up to the plate as manager, leading the New York Mets to the World Series in 2000 and the Marines to the Japan Series title in 2005. Off the field, Valentine has been recognized many times for his contributions to the community. He has been an actively involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter for more than 20 years, serving as host to its annual MS Dinner of Champions seven times. In 1982, Valentine received the Leonard Schine Memorial Award from the chapter for outstanding volunteerism. In 1998 Valentine received the Good Guy Award from the New York Press Photographers Association and the New Jersey Sportswriters Association, and he received the same award from the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers Association in 2001. Valentine received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation in 2001 and the Joan Payson Award for humanitarian services in 2002. The MS Dinner of Champion event honors outstanding corporate leaders and local and national sports figures making a significant contribution to the community at large. The dinner includes a cocktail reception, dinner, awards ceremony, live auction and silent auction. Past honorees include Steve Young, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford and Billie Jean King. This year’s event will recognize Kevin Segalla, president of the Connecticut Film Center. Segalla will receive the MS Champion of the Arts Award. The award honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to advancing the arts and art appreciation in the community. Segalla founded the Connecticut Film Center, a leading provider of financial and production services and facilities for the motion picture and television industries in Connecticut. The center’s flagship facilities in Stamford and Norwalk have played a significant role in the increase of productions located in Connecticut. Segalla, in addition to supporting a number of charitable organizations, has championed the Connecticut Chapter’s annual MS Gala for many years. Funds raised through events, such as the MS Dinner of Champions, ensure ongoing scientific research to find a cure and provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the chapter to Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Valentine owns and operates two sports restaurants; one in Stamford and the other in Arlington, Texas. Valentine and his wife, Mary, the daughter of former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca, reside in Connecticut. For more information on MS Dinner of Champions or to purchase tickets, please contact Kim Maloney, development manager for the Connecticut Chapter, at 860-913-2550 or e-mail kmaloney@ctfightsMS.org. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org. © Copyright by ConnecticutPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of ConnecticutPlus.com, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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