Hall of Fame MLB Catcher Johnny Bench to Headline Boys Town Boosters Banquet

Hall of Fame catcher, two-time National League MVP and 1976 World Series MVP Johnny Bench will headline the Boys Town Booster Banquet on Thursday, May 4.

The Booster Banquet, which benefits and honors Boys Town student athletes will be held at 6 p.m. at Omaha’s Holiday Inn Convention Center, 3321 S. 72 St. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $80 each or tables of 10 can be purchased for $800 and can be obtained by contacting Shirley Gosier, (402) 498-1299; e-mail, GBTboosters@boystown.org .

The Boys Town Boosters, a group of local business professionals, sponsor the annual family oriented banquet, which raises money to help thousands of Girls and Boys

Town children build success, character, and sportsmanship through athletics. This is the event’s 32 nd year.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989, Bench’s successes include National League Rookie of the Year (1968), National League Most Valuable Players (1970 & 1972), World Series MVP (1976), 14-time All-Star, and 10 Gold Gloves. In 1980, Bench set an endurance record by catching 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons. Then, in 1999 Bench received baseball's esteemed honor of selection to the All Century Team on October 24.

Bench uses his celebrity status to aid such worthy causes as the Heart Association, the

American Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation and many others. He also supports the Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund, which provides funds for students to attend college in the Cincinnati area.

Nationally last year, Boys Town provided direct care and treatment to more than 43,000 children across the country and extended outreach and training services to nearly one million children, families and professionals. Additionally, more than 500,000 children and parents were directly assisted through the Boys Town Hotline (1-800-448-3000).