Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-4-16 Online Edition

Features
Belmont Heights Little
League Alumni To Host Reunion, Golf Tournament
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Members of the commu- nity are invited to participate in a week of festivities honor- ing one of its founders. The celebration is sponsored by the Belmont Heights Little League Alumni Association, (BHAA).
The Belmont Heights Lit- tle League was founded in 1968. Now, some of its for- mer players have united to keep the history of the organ- ization alive and express their concern for East Tampa neighborhoods.
John Greene, spokes- man for the organization said, “The BHAA has organ- ized with the motto of “You’re On Deck,” which means it’s our time to step into the plate to contribute to the success of our own com- munity.
“Our Belmont Heights Little League and the East Tampa community has many economic, educational and social needs. The BHAA has targeted the needs of the park in preparation for the league’s 50th anniversary in 2018. We are honoring one of the founders, the late President Benjamin “Skin” Rouse, with a Golf Tournament.”
BENJAMIN ROUSE
For more than 30 years,
Benjamin “Skin” Rouse
was employed as a letter car- rier for the U. S. Postal Serv- ice. In 1968, in the wake of riots in Belmont Heights and after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Rouse, Billy Reed, George Sulli- van, and James Hargrett, Sr., began the discussion of creating a safe haven for the neighborhood for young boys. The result of their dis- cussion was the formation of the Belmont Heights Little League.
Since its inception, the Little League has produced World Champions in base- ball and 4 times Little League World Series participants. It has also produced athletes who have gone on to become
JOHN GREENE
world famous.
Greene said the organi-
zation will also celebrate its college graduation rates, col- lege and professional athlete participation, local and na- tional community and busi- ness leaders.
In keeping with their plans, the organization has scheduled different events. There will be a free Baseball Camp and Reunion BBQ at the Belmont Heights Base- ball Complex. It will take place on Oct. 8, 2016 @ 8:30 a.m.
The Benjamin “Skin” Rouse Golf tournament will be held at Rogers Park on Oct. 8, 2016, with a shot- gun start at 7:30 a.m. To reg- ister visit the website at www.belmontheight- salumni.org or call Allen Rouse at (770) 265-2094.
Church’s Ministry To Hold Homeless/ Community Service Day Downtown
GWEN MYERS ...Project Manager, Homeless/Community Service Day
The Trustee Ministry of Greater Bethel Baptist Church invites the public to its 2nd An- nual Homeless/Community Service Day on Saturday, Octo- ber 8, 2016, at 9 A. M. The event will be held at the church, 1207 North Jefferson Street, downtown Tampa.
“We are ecstatic to have 20 community service providers to come and offer an array of serv- ices to the homeless and the low income residents of the Tampa Bay community,” ex- plained Ms. Gwen Myers, Project Manager of the Home- less/Community Service Day event.
“We want the public to come and receive these free services that can improve their health, be informed of legal is- sues and concerns, register to VOTE....last day to register is Tuesday, October 11; get a hot meal, haircuts, cloth- ing and a blanket, just to name a few of the things that will be going on.
Hillsborough County’s Pub- lic Defender, Julianne Holt and Ernest Coney, Presi-
JULIANNE M. HOLT ...Public Defender
ERNEST CONEY ...President/CEO, Corporation to Develop
Communities (CDC) of Tampa, Inc.
dent/CEO of Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., have been invited as guest speakers.
All services are on a first come, first serve basis. “We want the public to know that these agencies are there to as- sist them,” Mrs. Myers stated. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a. m. to the homeless as well as those from the commu- nity who attend.
“As the last African Ameri- can church in Downtown Tampa, there is a greater need to do "mission work" in this community,” she concluded.
Arts Organizations Receive $400,000 In Grants
The Arts Council of Hills- borough County has awarded grants totaling $400,000 to 27 non-profit cultural organiza- tions. The funding for the arts increased from $289,000 awarded last year.
The grants are awarded for a one-year period as general operating support or funding for specific projects as part of the Council’s Culture Develop- ment Grant Program.
The Council awards the grants each year through a competitive process. A panel of arts professionals evaluates the applications. The applica- tions are judged on overall quality, cultural excellence, public impact and outreach, and financial or administra- tive.
The funding can be used for special projects as well as general operating support.
FYI
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