October 27, 2005


Unexpected ‘magic’ act tops annual Legends & Leaders event

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

In addition to offering up the keynote speech for this year’s San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Legends & Leaders Awards Dinner, basketball icon Magic Johnson thrilled fundraisers with a $75,000 magic trick.

Basketball legend Magic Johnson and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s new President Pat Dando at last week’s Legends and Leaders Awards Dinner.

“It went very well,” said Ken Heiman, director of communications for the Chamber. “We had a sell-out crowd and Magic did a magic trick at the end by raising $75,000 in about seven minutes.”

The impromptu auction sent five winners home with $15,000 less in their pockets and a package that included an evening with Magic, along with dinner and floor seats to a Lakers game.

“It was pretty impressive,” said Heiman. “Celebrity auctions are such a great way to raise money.”

“Magic Johnson’s inspirational life, including his phenomenal sports career, business success, charitable works, and personal challenge with HIV, truly qualifies him as a legend of our time,” said Chamber Chairman of the Board William B. Baron, partner in Brandenburg, Staedler & Moore.

The 41-year-old former basketball great and philanthropist is well known for business ventures that focus on social value and build foundations to help inner city youth. During his 13-year basketball career, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships and nine appearances in the NBA finals.

Legends & Leaders also features community and education excellence awards to be presented to selected ‘heroes’ who are making a difference in San Jose and Silicon Valley, added Crane.

“The dinner is one of several Chamber events that will be rolled out over the next few months,” said Chamber Vice President Jim Tucker. “While former President & CEO Jim Cunneen has moved on, it’s still business as usual at the Chamber.”

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in the Santa Clara Valley. Membership represents 2,000 private sector companies and nonprofit organizations of all sizes and from every industry within the area. The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organization, promotes pro-growth fiscal policies and financial investment in order to stimulate Silicon Valley’s economy and create jobs. For more information, contact Ken Heiman at (408) 291-5264 or kennethh@sjchamber.com.