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East Tampa
Ready for kickoff
More than 2,000 children, parents and coaches gathered Tuesday night at Middleton High School to celebrate the inaugural season of the Unity Youth Football Conference.
By SHERRI DAY
Published August 26, 2005
The Tampa Police Department's Orlando Gudes decided to form the league earlier this year to cater to youth from low-income communities. The local conference, which is a part of the national American Youth Football League, has nine teams from communities ranging from Central Park Village to Town 'N Country.
In July, Gudes appealed to the community to help raise $6,000 for uniforms and equipment. Donations came pouring in. On Tuesday, Gudes thanked sponsors for donating $14,000. The conference's season starts Saturday.
"We didn't think it was going to happen, but it did," he said. "We appreciate everything they've done, and we hope that others will get on board."
Major donors included Ken Stoltenberg of the World Trade Center Tampa Bay and Grand Central at Kennedy; law firm Morgan & Morgan; Ability Medical Equipment; Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union; and Rairigh Construction Management.
The league also received donations from Aikens Funeral Home; Dale S. Appell, P.A.; DBA Essential Cabinet; Everett Derr & Anderson Funeral Home; Howard McKnight, P.A.; and Wilson Funeral Home.
[Last modified August 25, 2005, 09:36:09]
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