I was desperate.

We were expecting more than 1,000 of our biggest donors to come to Lincoln Center on St. Patrick’s Day for Smile Train’s big celebration of our 500,000 surgery.

And we had no emcee.

Usually, Alex Trebek hosted all over the events, but he was stuck in Los Angeles and couldn’t do it.

I sent almost 100 letters to all the biggest news reporters, anchormen, celebrities, actors, and actresses in New York City asking if they would help us and host our special event.

Only one responded: Norah O’Donnell.

Maybe it was because both of her parents were Irish. Or because she is a really nice person. Or because she is extremely generous with your time and supports a lot of charities and good causes.

Whatever it was, St. Patrick’s Day was our lucky day.

Norah did a fantastic job that night hosting our star-studded roster that included the Chris Meloni, from the hit TV show Law and Order: SVU, the award-winning actress Candace Bergen, the famous Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan and General Colin Powell.

Our donors absolutely loved Norah – and she loved us right back. She quickly became one of our biggest supporters and helped us with other donor events and programs.

I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Norah because she is a fierce combination of beauty and brains. She has two degrees from Georgetown, a sharp intellect, quick wit, and a gracious, thoughtful, gentle style.

CBS is lucky to have her as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News.