How do you roast one of the most humble and serious community leaders around?

That was the challenge Saturday night for the friends and colleagues of Joe Krushinsky, who in April will chair his 40th American Cancer Society telethon for Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

Krushinsky was honored during a dinner at Capriotti’s in McAdoo hosted by Lansford Alive.

Though he was showered with accolades, the Tamaqua native followed a standing ovation by quickly praising those around him.

“All of the things being credited to me, it’s the people in this room tonight who get the job done,” Krushinsky said. “I’m just lucky enough to be out front.”

Before Krushinsky took the microphone, a handful of speakers shared stories, some funny and some sentimental, about the guest of honor.

Among them was Krushinsky’s longtime partner in putting together the telethon, George Taylor. The two met in the mid-1970s when Taylor taught Krushinsky in high school. Though the pair may go toe-to-toe on telethon weekend trying to pull off the perfect broadcast, their friendship has grown stronger by the year, including trips together to China and Memphis.

“It’s rare that a teacher has the opportunity to have a student that, years later, they remain very close friends,” Taylor said.

Bud Wychulis, longtime telethon volunteer and friend of Krushinsky’s for nearly four decades, spoke of his dedication to the American Cancer Society.

Wychulis’ stories included how Krushinsky fought to keep the local number for the Lansford ACS office after the national headquarters wanted to change it to a 1-800 number.

Later, when the ACS corporate office wanted to change the local headquarters from Lansford to Frackville, Krushinsky bought the Lansford building to keep a local presence in the small coal region community.

“He’s the most dedicated guy I know,” Wychulis said. “When I hear the name Joe Krushinsky, I’m proud to say that’s my friend.”

On the entertainment side, ACS volunteer Lori Kane tapped into Krushinsky’s affinity for Elvis. Kane performed a song she wrote for Krushinsky to the tune of “Heartbreak Hotel” with Dominic Farole assisting on guitar.

Other roasters included Ann Marie Calabrese, Caine Brobst, and Danny Farole among others.

Lansford Alive normally gives out its Black Diamond award during its annual Christmas party, but Krushinsky, its board members said, deserved more.

“In Lansford, where we’re struggling to keep storefronts open, this man bought a building because he wanted to keep it open and keep the local ACS presence,” said Chris Ondrus of Lansford Alive.

Krushinsky also received citations and proclamations from the Carbon County Commissioners, and the state House and Senate.

This year may mark 40 years for the local telethon, Krushinsky is excited about what the future holds for the local ACS chapter.

“We’ve had a lot of progress and a lot of work ahead of us,” he said. “We have transformed the way daffodils are used to raise money, had the sun set on an event like Zoostock and welcomed new partners like the Lehighton Outdoor Center, who will host our Labor Day fundraiser. All the while, we continue to fight for, honor and cherish those people who have gone before us and those still with us.”