CENTRAL BUCKS: Tolly to speak Thursday

Philadelphia sports broadcaster Don Tollefson will be the featured speaker at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.

Tollefson made his Philadelphia debut in 1975, joining WPVI-TV (Channel 6), as sportscaster and sports director and has been a part of almost all the biggest sports moments in Philadelphia.

First as a TV sportscaster at ABC and Fox and now as part of the ESPN radio team at 950 AM, Don has brought enthusiasm and sports passion to coverage of the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers.

There, he covered some of the most exciting moments in Philadelphia's sports history and worked with the nation's top athletes and entertainers.

Tollefson left ABC in 1990 because of his determination to create a non-profit motivational program for disadvantaged children, “One Child Saved”, formally known as "Winning Ways" whose philosophy is to get kids involved in many activities, so that they're too busy to get into drugs or into other trouble.

In 1995, Don returned to TV as a general assignment reporter for the FOX Philadelphia (Channel 29) team. He served as co-host of "Good Day Philadelphia", FOX's morning news and entertainment program, from April 1996 to April 1998.

He also hosted a variety of sports-related programs including "The Ray Rhoades Show" and "Eagles Game Day Live."

In 1998, Tollefson was named Sports Director of The Fox 29 Ten O’Clock News. In 1999, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia named him “Person of the Year” and inducted him into their “Hall of Fame.”

Tollefson’s greatest excitement, on and off the air has been reserved for young people in sports. From local colleges to area high schools to youth sports programs, he has always emphasized sports as a vehicle for teamwork, character and racial and ethnic harmony.

Through his work with various youth charities, he has brought positive life lessons to tens of thousands of youngsters.

In addition to his charitable and media work, Don has been a faculty member at both Temple and Villanova as well as at North Philadelphia’s William Penn High School.

Don and his wife, Marilyn Torres, are also very involved in outreach efforts in Philadelphia’s growing Latino community.

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and is open to the public. The cost of attendance is $45 a person for members, $55 for non-members.

For more information or to make reservations, please call the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce at 215-348-3913.