Ready, Willing & Working is excited to announce Washington Wizards television announcer Steve Buckhantz as our Master of Ceremonies for The 6th Annual Magic & Miracles benefit on Thursday, December 5th from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE.

With 40 years of broadcasting experience, including over a quarter-century in the Nation’s Capital, Steve Buckhantz is one of the longest tenured sportscasters in the Metropolitan area.  A four-time Emmy award winner, including the honor for Wizards play-by-play in 2008, Buckhantz is in his 17th season as the television voice of the Wizards on Comcast SportsNet.

Buckhantz’ dramatic game calls have crept into DC’s sports lexicon.  “Dagger,” “Backbreaker,” “Not Possible,” all are heard regularly on sports highlight shows around the country.

Buckhantz is a native of Washington, DC, born in the District and raised in nearby Arlington, VA.  He attended Washington-Lee High School and his education continued at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts.  In 1995 Buckhantz was honored with JMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Following four years broadcasting JMU basketball games on radio, Buckhantz made the transition into television at ABC affiliate WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, where he anchored the 11pm sports and weather.  His TV career then took him to WRCB in Chattanooga, TN, WTVF in Nashville, TN and WSB in Atlanta, GA, before returning in 1984 to his hometown and Fox owned WTTG-TV, where he was the Sports Director and lead sports anchor for nearly 14 years.  Buckhantz’ play-by-play work also includes the “NFL on Fox” and in 1994 was part of that networks’ inaugural season televising professional football.  From 1991-’97 Buckhantz was the radio play-by-play voice of the US Naval Academy Football Team.  In 2011, Buckhantz was inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences National Capital Chapter Silver Circle, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the broadcast industry over the span of 25 years or more in the National Capital region.

Buckhantz is involved in numerous charitable events in the Washington area, and for the past 18 years has been the spokesman for the Steve Buckhantz/St. Jude Celebrity Golf Tournament, which to date has raised over three million dollars to benefit research at the children’s hospital in Memphis, TN.

Magic & Miracles benefits the “men in blue” that can be seen everyday in the business areas of Capitol Hill, Barracks Row Main Street, and Adams Morgan. All are all formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated individuals; many of whom have struggled with substance abuse. Ready, Willing & Working empowers these individuals to break their destructive cycles by offering a paid-work experience and supportive services that put them on the road to self-sufficiency. With your support, you are helping these men continue their journey to becoming productive, contributing members of society.

The event will feature cocktails, heavy hor d’oeuvres, a silent auction and special presentation. We will be honoring Phil Truluck and The Heritage Foundation for their support of the program and dedication to its mission. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at rwwdc.eventbrite.com.