The value of a person’s life “is seen in every act of integrity, compassion or sacrifice that enriches and encourages others,” Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ernie Anastos said in receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Christophers.

The award recognizes individuals whose personal and professional contributions to making the world a better place “have left an indelible mark on our culture,” according to an announcement from the organization.

Previous winners include jazz legend Dave Brubeck, actor Carroll O’Connor and author/historian David McCullough.

Anastos, currently at FOX News 5 in New York, has been a television news anchor for more than 35 years. He also has been lead anchor at two other New York stations – WABC-TV and WCBS-TV.

He received the award during the 67th annual Christopher Awards ceremony in Manhattan. The same evening awards were presented to 21 winners in film, TV and book categories.

In his remarks, Anastos quoted a Greek philosopher who he said “once wrote a wonderful line: ‘I have a wish to die young but as late in life as possible.’ As I am standing here before you I’m thankful to the good Lord for giving me this life.

“From the time I was 16 years old, I started my first job in radio, and I haven’t been off the air (since),” he said, adding that he remembers all kinds of things that have happened in his life “but most important, every day I think about the blessing I have that God gave me a gift.”

“God gave you a gift,” he told the other winners.

But over time, he continued, “money, fame and power … become irrelevant. Wins and losses that once seemed important don’t matter. Even grudges and resentments disappear. So what really matters?

“The value of your life is seen in every act of integrity, compassion or sacrifice that enriches and encourages others. It’s about character – not just what you have learned, but what you have taught. More than what you got, it’s what you gave.”