Players for Kids Gala - 10/6/09

Pittsburgh sports stars scored big, off the field, the ice, and the diamond, with the Pittsburgh Kids Foundations’ Players 4 Kids Gala, which attracted 235 guests to the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. Families were able to get their pictures taken with some of their favorite athletes, including Pittsburgh Pirates Zach Duke and Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Penguins Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy, and Pittsburgh Steeler Daniel Sepulveda. Attendees bid on silent auction items such as a Penguins team autographed goalie stick and several pieces of jewelry from Henne Jewlers. In a live auction, they vied for an all-expense paid trip to Miami to see the Steelers play the Miami Dolphins and a round of golf for two at Oakmont with Jordan Staal — the auctions helped to raise $130,000 for the Foundation. Videos of several sports figures were shown, including one to honor former Pittsburgh Pirate Sean Casey, who was also presented with the Hall of Fame Award for his great work with children in Pittsburgh. Photography by Megan Wylie