Rotary sends local kids on football trip

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 12, 2001

More than 40 children from the Jerome Brown Community Center will enjoy a trip to Orlando for Saturday's third annual Rotary Gridiron Classic, thanks to the Brooksville Rotary Club.

"The kids are really excited -- this is the first trip we've had here," Center program coordinator Emilia Raia said Thursday.

The charity event showcases college football's top seniors, with former NFL coaches Lindy Infante and Buddy Ryan coaching two teams, one from Florida and the other representing the rest of the country.

As the official all-star game of the NFL Players Association, the Classic has helped more than 130 players sign with NFL teams.

The real beneficiaries Saturday will be groups like the Brown Center's, which received tickets and transportation and lunches from the Brooksville chapter.

Proceeds from Saturday's game will go to the Buoniconti Fund, named for former Dolphins player Nick Buoniconti, who helped create the Miami Project, a foundation working to support research on paralysis.

Mary Beth Gary of the Brooksville chapter has a teenage son, John Martz, who was paralyzed in a car accident in February.

They will be among several local Rotarians at the game.

For information about the game and the charities it supports, visit http://gridironclassic.com.

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