Sabres' Miller to address annual Compeer dinner

Compeer of Greater Buffalo has announced that Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will serve as the keynote speaker at the non-profit's annual Miracle of Friendship event on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Hyatt Regency.

Miller will be joined by his father, Dean, who will speak about their family's charitable work with the Steadfast Foundation.

During the event, the Compeer board of directors will present the Capozzi Family with the Spirit of Compeer Award for their dedicated support of their son Anthony's battle with mental illness and wrongful imprisonment.

Brian Lipke, chairman and CEO of Gibraltar Industries, will be recognized with the Western New York Vision Award for his dedication to the community and business leadership.

Community philanthropists Richard and Karen Penfold will serve as honorary chairs of the event, and former Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray will be the celebrity chair.

The event will be hosted by Ed Kilgore, WGRZ-TV sports director and Compeer board member, and will feature a VIP Reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, awards and a live and silent auction.

Proceeds from the event will support Compeer of Greater Buffalo programs. Call 883-3331 for information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, or visit the Compeer Web site at www.compeerbuffalo. org.

Compeer of Greater Buffalo is a not-for-profit mental health agency that uses the power of friends and mentors to enrich the lives of children and adults striving for good mental health. More then 3,000 Western New York adults, children, and seniors who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders, are at-risk, or have emotional disturbances have benefited from the programs of Compeer over the agency's 22-year history.