A crowd of several hundred attended the Crescenta-Cańada YMCA’s 17th annual Prayer Breakfast this past Saturday, which organizers said was a successful and inspiring event.

“We had a truly inspirational morning sparked by the moving words and compelling stories shared with us by our various guest speakers,” said Robin McCarthy, the YMCA’s Communications director. “As always, this community event was both motivating and memorable.”

USC athletic director Mike Garrett, a former Heisman Trophy winner, was the keynote speaker. He opened his speech with a simple, emotional greeting: “I am most humbled to be here this morning.” Garrett continued by discussing the influence that prayer has had on his life, and the life of his family, sharing a simple motto that seemed to sum up what the morning was all about – “Prayer changes things.”

KABC 7 reporter Rob Hayes shared historical anecdotes about the YMCA and how it has helped to shape his life. In particular, he discussed how fortunate he felt to have found the Crescenta-Cańada YMCA for his family.

“We were very lucky to find a home so close to where we live. You are all very lucky to be a part of this YMCA; it’s a great facility with great people,” Hayes said.

The morning also featured musical interludes highlighted by the voice of Kenna Ramsey, video clips from a documentary produced for the YMCA of the USA about the Jerusalem International Y, with voiceover by Leland Waters, the YMCA’s co-director of membership. There were also prayers offered by local clergymen.