Perhaps the numbers really do speak for the event.

Nearly 1,000 people have reserved a seat for Wednesday's 7 a.m. breakfast to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming with a goal of 1,100 attendees.

The numbers may indicate the respect for this year's honoree, Susan Thomas, wife of the late and beloved U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas.

They might indicate a respect for old-school NFL history and the keynote address by former Chicago Bear and current NFL Hall of Fame member Gale Sayers.

Heck, some folks just might want a stick to your ribs breakfast of eggs, potatoes, sausage, sweet rolls, juice and coffee prepared by the small but dedicated kitchen staff at the Casper Events Center.

But really, most in attendance probably will be there to support the thousands of children ages 6 to 18 who at the Boys and Girls Club main or satellite branches and after-school programs in Natrona and Converse counties find help with homework, positive role models, the chance to learn new activities and find safe supervision in those critical after-school and summer vacation hours.

This is the 10th annual Recognition & Awards Breakfast, the theme of which is that no tickets are sold, but those in attendance are gently asked to give or make a pledge before leaving.

State and local dignitaries and elected folks line up to get breakfast just like all of the other folks.

As the selected honoree, Thomas joins a distinguished group that includes Tom Stroock, John Wold, Mike Sullivan, Mick McMurry, Susie McMurry, John Martin and Gail Zimmerman.

By his side throughout his political career, Thomas continues the work of her late husband with the establishment of the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation.

The foundation recently awarded its first 13 scholarships to students Thomas describes as perhaps not the same students who would be eligible for other financial aid.

Long a special education teacher both in Casper and suburban Washington, D.C., Thomas knows the importance of recognition for all students who make an effort and succeed.

Sayers is the youngest person ever elected to the NFL Hall of Fame after a stunning career at the University of Kansas and the Chicago Bears.

Since retirement, he has served as an alumni spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, served as a trustee for the Boy Scouts of America Chicago chapter and is president of Sayers Computer Source, a company he founded with his wife in 1984.

His book, "I Am Third," recounts his placement of the Lord as first, his family and friends in the second position, and himself third. The 1971 made-for-television move, "Brian's Song," starring James Caan as teammate Brian Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Sayers, was scripted directly from the book.

Those wanting to reserve a seat at the breakfast should do so today by calling 234-2456.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com.