The Dapper Dan Charities were founded by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editor Al Abrams in 1936.
Started in 1936, the first few banquets honored such regional figures as Art Rooney, Jock Sutherland and John Harris.
In recent decades, all charitable contributions raised by the banquet go to the Boys and Girls club of Western Pennsylvania, which directly funds activities and equipment for nearly 7,000 youths annually.
[3][4][5][6] Various years the Dapper Dan Banquet has been a who's who of Western Pennsylvania sports, and attracted national and even international stars and entertainers.
[3] Howard Baldwin, Craig Patrick, Lanny Frattare, Marty Schottenheimer, Rod Woodson, Ambassador Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, Mark May, John Brown, Sal Sunseri, Hank Aaron,[49] Myron Cope, Lou Holtz,[50] Terry Francona, Pat Mullins, Dave Robinson, Len Dawson, Lou Groza, Bud Wilkinson,[51] Bob Prince, Governor Lawrence and Todd Blackledge[14] have all participated in recent events.