“It’s a scam, it’s a scam.”
That’s what David Dennis’ oldest daughter thought when she heard that her father had been selected as the recipient of this year’s Ashok C. Sani All-Star Dad award.
But she was wrong — it was legit.
Dennis, a firefighter and paramedic from Kentucky — and a father of seven — had indeed been selected to be honored at the 83rd Father of the Year awards luncheon in New York on Thursday after his daughter Nora wrote an essay. “When people think of heroes, they often imagine capes and superpowers. But my hero wears boots, a badge and the title of Dad,” she wrote.
David Dennis and his family.
Courtesy of National Father’s Day Committee
Dennis was among the four fathers who received the awards this year along with Don Hendricks, chief executive officer of Belk; Marc D’Amelio, digital creator and entrepreneur, and Nate Burleson, co-host of “CBS Mornings” and analyst for “The NFL Today” show on CBS Sports.
The event, which raised $1.58 million for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, drew a wide swath of menswear executives including Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International, whose father George Feldenkreis was recognized at the event. The elder Feldenkreis passed away in February.
As always, the luncheon had its share of teary moments as the honorees relayed their experiences in parenting. D’Amelio, whose daughters Dixie and Charli are both social media stars in their own rights, said his father was absent when he was growing up so he was determined not to repeat that experience when he had children. “I’ve spent my life filling that void and being the best dad that I can be,” he said.
Mia, Atoya and Nate Burleson with Gayle King.
Courtesy of National Father’s Day Committee
Hendricks said that despite his success in the retail business, he believes the best thing he’s ever done is fathering his two daughters. “It’s the most important job I’ll ever have,” he said. It also means that he cherishes “face mask night,” when his youngest daughter helps him apply the mask to hydrate and exfoliate his skin every Sunday.
Belk CEO Don Hendricks with his family.
Courtesy of National Father’s Day Committee
Burleson was joined by his wife Atoya and youngest daughter Mia. His sons, Nehemiah and Nathaniel, were off playing football and sent video messages. He was awarded the honor by his “CBS Mornings” cohost Gayle King, who also did double duty as emcee of the luncheon.
King said Burleson was “unabashedly the biggest cheerleader of family” that she’s ever met, adding that close to 50 percent of Black families come from single-parent homes.
Burleson said he learned how to be a father from his dad, who was the quintessential role model to him and his three brothers. Although they “ate him out of house and home, our door was always open” to other neighborhood boys without fathers who needed some guidance, he said.
Growing up like that, he said, made him appreciate the “sacred responsibility of raising good humans” that he strives to achieve with his children.
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