Volunteers

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MESSAGE FROM CANDY WALLACE,
2012 GENERAL CHAIRMAN, CHAMBER COMMITTEES 

The momentum for choosing Canton as the home for the Pro Football Hall of Fame began with an article written by Chuck Such in the December 1959 Canton Repository. He stated many reasons why Canton should be the selected site, ending his article with a challenge to the community: “The project will require a combined Herculean effort on the part of civic and sports leaders, business, industry and perhaps, more important, just plain fans.”

The community became engaged. The Chamber of Commerce joined service groups, local banks, businesses and citizens to select a site, develop building and operation plans, and begin raising money. Canton was selected as the official site in April 1961. Only 90 days later, $378,026 had already been raised. Ground was broken in August 1962, and the 17 member charter class of Enshrines was selected. The Herculean effort had begun in full force.

What began only as an enshrinement and exhibition game has now become a world renowned festival consisting of 18 diverse events.  What began with nearly $400,000 has grown to a priceless two weeks of entertainment, staged by a dedicated group of 4,200 volunteers.

More than 21,000 men have played professional football but only 267 have been recognized with a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Over the past 48 years, the Hall itself has grown from 19,000 square feet to 83,000 square feet, and the $27 million Future 50 Project set for completion in 2013 will expand the square footage to 124,000 while enhancing the visitors’ experience at “America’s Premier Sports Museum and Showplace.”

All  the festivities would not happen without the staffs of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Pro Football Hall of Fame who provide support and guidance for the volunteers, along with the many community sponsors and in-kind donors all working to make the events the best ever .

I am honored to serve as volunteer chair for this 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.  Over 700,000 fans participate in the annual events, and I encourage you to try each and every one.  It surely is a “One of a Kind Celebration!”