(Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
On Sunday, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proclaimed June 13, 2021, as 'Tunch and Wolf Day' in Allegheny County, honoring their years of service to the mission and the Pittsburgh community in a ceremony on the Great Lawn on North Shore Drive. Numerous former and current Steelers players were in attendance at the event in support of Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, and the ceremony was coupled with the 19th Annual Tunch & Wolf's Walk for the Homeless for the mission, which was held virtually and with walkers doing their own 5K or 10K walk on Pittsburgh's North Shore on Sunday morning.
Mayor Peduto issued a proclamation to Mr. Ilkin in recognition of his retirement from the Steelers and decades of service to the Pittsburgh community. Ilkin announced his retirement on June 3 as the color analyst with the Steelers Radio Network to focus on his treatment to fight ALS, which he was diagnosed with in September of 2020.
Ilkin and Wolfley have been involved with Light of Life for more than three decades. They've led Bible study at the mission, spoke at Chapel services, hosted the walk, served meals and invited members of the Light of Life's programs to training camp, along with a lot more. The Light of Life will open a new shelter, as well as renovate the other, and there they will include the Tunch and Wolf Chapel and the Tunch and Wolf Kitchen in their honor.
“Since they walked through the doors of the Mission, they have continued to bless our organization by volunteering, leading Bible studies with clients, speaking at Chapel services, starting Tunch & Wolf’s Walk for the Homeless 19 years ago and so much more,” said Doug Smith, Director of Development for Light of Life.
Mayor Peduto tweeted this afternoon, "Family, Friends, Faith & Football, Tunch is a true Pittsburgh legend with a soul of compassion."
Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was at the ceremony today and tweeted that Ilkin was a mentor for him when it came to showing him how to do things the right way.
"Had a great time at the 19th Annual Tunch Ilkin & Craig Wolfley's walk for the homeless. This walk supports Light of Life Rescue Mission. You two are true heroes. THANK YOU Tunch for taking me under your wing and showing me how to do things the right way. Love u brother."