Honoring a legend’s Goodwill toward men

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- For Paul Salata, awards aren’t a chance to receive

recognition. They’re a chance to give recognition. Perhaps that’s why

about 15 plaques line the walls of his Irrelevant Week offices -- just a

few of the honors he has received in his 75 years. And perhaps that’s why

the organizations that have honored him have trouble articulating all he

does for the community.

“He is a guy who steps up for people who need it,” said Dan Rogers,

president and chief executive of Goodwill Industries of Orange County.

“It’s that simple, really. He steps up, and he puts himself on the line

for these people that are disadvantaged. Helping people is what he does.”

For this reason, Goodwill has chosen Salata as the honoree for its

first-ever An American Tribute.

At a dinner event tonight at The Grove of Anaheim, Salata will be

feted for community service so broad that Goodwill is describing Salata

as “philanthropist, entrepreneur and all-around good guy.”

Salata is founder of Irrelevant Week, which toasts the last player

chosen for the NFL Draft, while also using the opportunity “to simply do

something nice for someone for no good reason.” But the former pro

football player and USC booster has also racked up a long resume of

community service credits, including for the Orange County Youth Sports

Foundation, which he started in 1971.

But Salata takes honors somewhat in stride.

“Anything like this that I participate in is a chance to call

attention to all the organizations and people who really deserve it,”

said Salata, rattling off a list of individuals and agencies that deserve

attention or support: his family; alma mater USC; his church, St. Stevens

Serbian Orthodox Church, in Alhambra; the sports youth foundation; the

commodores of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce; Goodwill Industries;

and many more.

For Salata, even a cancer diagnosis provided an opportunity to help

the community. Salata was honorary chairman of the Newport Beach Relay

for Life, a record-breaking fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society

that took place last weekend.

Salata underwent surgery for cancer in February and a few months later

received a clean bill of health.

“I’m as good as new,” he said.

And for Salata, that means getting back to the work he loves.

“The idea of doing something nice for someone for no reason, that’s

what it’s all about,” he said.

FYI

Some tickets for “An American Tribute to Paul Salata” are still

available. They cost $175. For more information, call (714) 547-6308,

Ext. 311.