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Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award
Voted upon by the CSC Special Awards Committee, the Bob Kenworthy Community Service is presented annually to a CSC member for civic involvement, community service and accomplishments both within and outside the athletic communications profession.
Greg Pellegrino – Penn State Abington Sports Information Director
In his second year at Penn State Abington and his 20th year in athletic communications,
Greg Pellegrino and his wife, Mary, have used the challenges faced by their son, Bennett, to help other children and parents struggling with medical issues at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
In response to their experiences, the Pellegrinos founded the BennettStrong Foundation, which provides support to families of medically complex children who are patients in the neonatal intensive care unit at CHOP. The outreach includes a “survival kit,” which is provided to every family with a child admitted to the NICU.
A Message from
Greg Pellegrino, 2024 Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award Recipient – "It’s hard to put into words, but it is a very humbling feeling and I’m grateful for the recognition with the Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet Bob Kenworthy, but the way people speak of him and the stories they tell makes receiving this award really special. To be honored like this by my peers in the profession for something that is near and dear to you is quite heartening."
Pellegrino on his son, Bennett: “Bennett is currently 10 years old and he’ll be turning 11 the day of the awards luncheon on June 12, which is pretty awesome. He’s in the fifth grade in a multiple disabilities classroom at our local elementary school. Bennett has been through a lot in his young life and his journey will continue to be long and hard but he’s persevered through it all. Despite his challenges, Bennett is always laughing and always has a smile on his face and just loves life. His smile will light up the room and he knows how to use it!”
Penn State Abington Director of Athletics, Erin Foley – "Greg Pellegrino is a consummate leader in the sports information industry. His expertise has expanded our outreach to highlight the accomplishments of our PSU Abington coaches and student-athletes, through website and technology upgrades, social media improvements and changes to our game-day management and delivery. His work with the BennettStrong Foundation highlights his tremendous commitment to help families and their children who are struggling with devastating diagnoses. We are lucky to have Greg as a part of our team and know that he is so deserving of this award."
Director of Psychological Services, Division of Neonatology, at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Chavis Patterson – “It is with great pleasure and admiration that we send out congratulations to Greg and Mary for their tireless efforts to give back to NICU families. Through their fund-raising efforts, we have been able to touch the lives of thousands of families. The journals and tools for parents to bond with their babies have had a positive impact on families who are going through an extremely stressful time. Over the years, they have maintained their dedication to supporting parents during their NICU journey. We value their partnership and look forward to working together in the future.”
Holy Family University (where Pellegrino worked from 2010 to 2022) Assistant Director of Athletics, Jami Hughes – “I had the pleasure of working with Greg at Holy Family for eight years. As an officemate, I had a front-row seat to his tireless commitment to his profession while also creating BennettStrong. Seeing how far the organization has come is a testament to the vision and work ethic both Greg and Mary have. They have helped so many families going through one of the toughest journeys. While all this was going on, Greg continued to be an excellent and well-respected athletic communications professional in our department and our conference.”
Prior to joining Penn State Abington, Pellegrino served as Holy Family University’s Direcctor of Sports Information from 2010-2022.
While at Holy Family, the Pellegrinos started the BennettStrong Foundation after their son, Bennett, was diagnosed at age 3 with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer that required surgery and chemotherapy. It was the second long-term stint at CHOP for the Pellogrinos. The first came after Bennett was born prematurely at 25 weeks.
At the heart of the BennettStrong Foundation’s efforts is providing a “survival kit” for families in CHOP’s neonatal intensive care unit. The kit includes a 5x7 journal, which families can use to take notes about treatment or document their feelings, thoughts and experiences.
The foundation funds its work through an annual gala, which raises thousands of dollars for the kits through silent and live auctions and donations from local merchants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pellegrinos partnered with Victory4Vincent and Brave Gowns for a Sponsor A Mask program, soliciting donations that, in turn, provided protective masks for CHOP healthcare workers.
“BennettStrong is making a difference because of the love of our local community,” Pellegrino said. “It takes a village sometimes and the support we have had has been nothing less than extraordinary. We wouldn’t be able to help N/IICU families if it wasn’t for our local community supporting our mission and what we do for those families.”
Currently the president of EAST-COMM (Eastern Athletic Communications Association), Pellegrino received that organization’s Bob Kenworthy Award in 2021. He has been recognized by CSC’s Volunteer 15 program every year since 2020 for over 200 hours of community service.
