Jul 19, 2008 9:01 am US/Central
Hundreds Attend Randy Salerno Fundraiser
MCHENRY, Ill. (CBS) ―
We are remembering our friend, Randy Salerno - six months after he was killed in a snowmobiling accident. Hundreds came out last night to celebrate the life of the man who always seemed to have a good time.
There was a full day of festivities - from a golf outing to "an evening under the Caribbean twilight."
CBS 2's Chief Correspondent Jay Levine has more on the major turnout to support the Randy Salerno Foundation.
It was definitely not your father's kind of fundraiser. It was more like a laid-back gathering of Randy's friends. Some who knew him, but far more who didn't.
"I never had the pleasure of meeting Randy," a guest said. "I heard a lot about him. And I know he was a great guy. I'd like to support what they're doing here."
"I felt like I knew him through TV and watching him on the news, on channel 9 and channel 2," another guest said.
"I never actually had the honor to meet Randy, but I admired him," a guest said. "I think he was a great father, great husband."
Nearly a thousand people filled a huge tent erected for the occasion; donating $75 a ticket to be wined and dined and serenaded with the Caribbean rock Randy loved.
They also bid thousands of dollars for dozens of auction items including a hand-crafted surfboard, with caricatures of Randy flanked by his musical heroes; Jimmy Buffet on the left and fellow Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally on the right.
Between the party and the auction and an all-day golf tournament, they hoped to raise $150,000 for the newly created Randy Salerno Foundation. Not bad for a first effort by volunteers determined that his legacy would be to enable others from the Northwest Suburban area where he grew up to follow his footsteps into journalism.
The whole day was infused with the Salerno spirit at Boone Creek Golf Club, where a tree had been planted and a plaque placed in his memory. Everyone played 27 holes instead of the normal 18. Randy would have loved it.
He would have loved the party too, where shorts and wild shirts were the dress code. And where the guests seemed to love every minute.
"Because of their kindness and the support of everyone here tonight, financially strapped students will have a chance to pursue their dreams of a career in broadcast journalism," said Irene Salerno, Randy's wife.
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