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Niner Empire Tampa Chapter To Host 1st Helping Homeless Event
Committee To Host Second ‘Jazzin At The Ritz’ Event
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Nearly two years ago, members of the Positive Im- ages Committee hosted a fundraiser to provide assis- tance to a local school. Now, they are repeating their ef- forts by hosting another community event.
On Sunday, April 30th, members of the community will join Positive Images members for the second ‘Jazz’n At The Ritz.’ The event will take place at The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. 7th Av- enue, from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Marvin Knight, one of the organizers of the event said, “We are excited about bringing this event back to the community. We are
MARVIN KNIGHT
bringing it back because members of the community have requested it.
“Just as it we did in 2015, we are planning a came to- gether to raise funds for St. Peter Claver Catholic School.
a local school. All of the pro- ceeds from the event will go to the school. And, members of the community will have an opportunity to dress up and enjoy an evening of jazz.”
In 2015, the event was held in October and was deemed a success. The or- ganization raised more than $60,000 to help purchase supplies and equipment for the students.
St. Peter Claver Catholic School has been in existence for more than 100 years. It has historically educated African American students in elementary school.
For additional informa- tion about the event contact Marvin Knight at (813) 453-5690; or Tom For- ward at (813) 334-5705.
Members of the Niner Empire Tampa, FL Chapter are: John Downer (president), Misty Joyner-Downer (secretary), Theresa Whitehead-Marshal, (vice-president), Jay Deluca, Chris Deluca, Mike Deluca, Damien Emerson, Courtney Smith, Angel Cooper, Miata Ed- wards, Kevin House, Crystal House, Christopher Johnson, Josh Bur- nett, Patti Conover, Matt Conover, Andre Steadman, Kim Steadman, Lamont Hill, Richelle Hill, Antoine "Pushback" Williams, Mike Conze, Stephen Howard, Paula Nightengale, Ray Nightengale, and Tiffany Henry.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
When John Downer served in the U. S. Navy, the ship he was on went to San Francisco, California for a fleet brief. While there, he had the opportunity to attend a San Francisco 49ers game. The Tampa native and cur- rent resident of Mulberry, FL, was enthralled by the people, atmosphere, and most of all the exciting game.
Once he returned to the Bay Area, Downer won- dered if he was the only fan in the area of the 49ers. After doing some research, he learned that Joe Leonor had started the Niner Empire in 2004 in California.
In 2013, Downer started the “Niner Empire Tampa, FL Chapter, an official booster club of the San Francisco 49ers.
To date, there are 25+ Tampa Chapter members, who meet at District Tavern on Channelside. The group travels all the season to home and away games.
While attending a Niners game in Atlanta, the Tampa group joined the Atlanta
group to visit a homeless shelter where men, women and children were housed. That gave Downer an idea to want to do the same thing in Tampa.
“That really touched me. I was once homeless and now I’m fortunate to have come a long ways. I wanted to do something similar in the Tampa area,” Downer, who is president of the Tampa, FL Chapter said.
“We have partnered with District Tavern and various 49er chapters in different states across the United States on collecting donations for this drive. Trinity Café has provided a place that allows us to conduct this event,” he said.
The goal of the group is to “Help Donate To Provide For The Good Of All." This is their 1st annual “Help- ing The Homeless Drive."
They will be at the Trinity Café on Saturday, March25th,8a.m.–11a. m. providing items to the homeless, from tooth- paste to clothes.
For more information about the Tampa Chapter, call (813) 458-8746.
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A