Fourth-Annual Gator Charity Challenge Tonight at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 | Football
The University of Florida football team is preparing to hold its fourth-annual Gator Charity Challenge event on Friday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The event, which was initiated prior to the 2008 season, will feature the 2011 Gator squad challenging each other in a series of strength and speed competitions. The event is weather permitting and will be free and open to the public. Gates 2 and 3 on the west concourse of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be open for entrance to the event at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
This year's event will feature some of the same challenges as past years. The team will be split into six squads, drafted by the players. The squads will compete against each other in a sled push, torpedo hold and tug-of-war competition. The event will conclude with a surprise full-team competition. The six teams this year are each led by multiple captains:
Team Takeover: Andre DeBose, Shariff Floyd, Xavier Nixon, Deonte Thompson
Trend Setters: John Brantley, Jeremy Brown, Quinton Dunbar, Dominique Easley
Against All Odds: Jeff Demps, Jon Halapio, Ronald Powell, Jordan Reed
Team BEDICK: Jon Bostic, Omarius Hines, Omar Hunter, Matt Patchan
Team Pandemonium: Matt Elam, Will Green, Lerentee McCray, Chris Rainey
Go Gettas: Trey Burton, Frankie Hammond, Jon Harrison, Jaye Howard, Jelani Jenkins
Although the format of this year's event will not change, the entire team will be competing for the same cause. Instead of each team representing a different charitable organization, this year's event will benefit the local chapter of The Salvation Army. Fans are asked to bring items to the event to donate to The Salvation Army. All items donated at the Gator Charity Challenge will be distributed by The Salvation Army throughout Alachua County. In addition to the Charity Challenge on Friday night, several members of the football team have volunteered time at The Salvation Army serving meals and stocking food.
The Salvation Army fed 97 families and 163 people last month and has fed up to 225 people in a single month. However, the needs are greater than just food. Following is a list of the most needed items:
· Hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, etc.)
· Diapers and Baby wipes
· Canned meats (corn beef, chicken, etc.)
· Female hygiene products
· Rice and Beans
· Noodles (such as Ramen noodles or dry spaghetti)
· Disposable razors (men's)
· Peanut Butter and Jelly
· Spaghetti sauce
Items from the above list are just a sample of what can be used by The Salvation Army. It doesn't take much to make a difference in the lives of families in need. A family of four can be fed for a week by donating a bag of rice, canned fruit, canned green beans, canned corn, canned beef or chicken and dry beans.
Staff from The Salvation Army will be on hand Friday night and fans are encouraged to bring items from the above list to donate at the event.
