Super Bowl Champion Rocky Bleier Keynote at the 2017 Friends of Scouting Dinner

RICHMOND, VA – February 16, 2016 – On Thursday February 23, 2017 over 800 men and women from the metro Richmond business and philanthropic community will gather at the Richmond Convention Center for the 2017 Friends of Scouting Annual Giving Campaign Dinner presented by CapTech. Four-time Super Bowl champion and Vietnam War Veteran Rocky Bleier, keynote speaker, will share his encouraging story of how Scouting laid the foundation for his life of heroism, perseverance, teamwork and leadership.

The dinner is the signature event of the Annual Giving Campaign which aims to raise $1 Million to benefit Scouting initiatives across Virginia. The Heart of Virginia Council of the Boy Scouts of America supports operations, training, recruiting and troop initiatives for close to 400 Boy Scout troops and over 4000 volunteers across 24 counties in the Commonwealth. The $1 Million goal represents about 1/3 of the overall operating budget for the organization.

"As an Eagle Scout, I know first had the leadership and teambuilding skills that Scouting develops in our youth," said CapTech CEO Kevin McQueen who will emcee the evenings events. "As a lifelong supporter of the Scouts and a huge fan of the Steelers and Rocky Bleier, it is incredible to witness our community coming together to support and be inspired by an organization that makes such an impact preparing young people to be positive forces in our society."

The evening will culminate with the motivating words of Bleier, a former Boy Scout whose story of courage and determination has been an inspiration to generations. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968, Bleier was drafted by the U.S. Army to fight in Vietnam. Told he would never walk again after receiving severe wounds, he bravely rehabilitated himself to condition for re-entry into the NFL. Defying all odds, Bleier regained his running back position on the Steelers' squad.

To learn more about attending the Friends of Scouting dinner or contributing to the Annual Giving Campaign, visit http://hovc.org/friends-of-Scouting-dinner.

About Heart of Virginia Council, Boy Scouts of America: The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Heart of Virginia Council provides a "best in class" foundation that supports youth, districts, units, and adult volunteers to contribute to a dynamic Scouting program in Central Virginia. These resources include camping facilities, office support, and technology infrastructure. The successful implementation and quality of these services contribute to Scouting's overall strategic objective of delivering a quality experience to an ever-increasing youth membership.