BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Nearly 14 years ago, Mrs. Cherylene Levy had a vision of owning a semi-professional football team. She became the owner of the Tampa Bay Bulldogs with the support and assistance of her husband, the late Eddie Levy, Sr.
Under the guidance of her husband, a few years after establishing the team, she created the Jr. Tampa Bay Bulldogs for younger athletes in the community. From the onset, Mrs. Levy has sought to use the team to give back to the community.
In addition to the teams, she is also active in numerous other activities including roller-skating. For the next two weekends, Mrs. Levy will collect toys for needy children through both not-for-profit organizations.
On Saturday, December 10th, from 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Sunday, December 11th, members of the community can visit United Skates of America, 5121 N. Armenia Avenue, and drop off an unwrapped toy. The toys are being collected by Movers & Skaters of Tampa Bay during their 4th Annual Toy Drive.
The following week, on Saturday, December 17th, the Tampa Bay Bulldogs and the Jr. Tampa Bay Bulldogs will host their 8th Annual Toy Drive. The event will take place at Nuccio Park, 4805 E. Sligh Avenue, from 9 a.m., to 12 noon. “We are asking members of the community to come out, bring an unwrapped toy and spend a portion of their day with us. They will have a chance to meet the players, obtain autographs, and enjoy refreshments,” Mrs. Levy said.
Since the death of her husband two years ago, Mrs. Levy said she has been forced to reevaluate many things in her life, including the football team.
The community will have an opportunity to meet her new staff including Head Coach, Nat Danley; Assistant Head Coach, Courtney “Peanut” Brown; Damian Bell, Offensive Line Coordinator; Ryan Patterson, Offense Line Coach; and Darnell Baker, who is the Running Back Coach at the toy drive.
“It’s been hard since I lost my husband, but the Bulldogs are still around and going strong. I hope the community will have a chance to come out and visit with them,” she said.
She further stated that former professional athletes Randy Crowder and Freddie Solomon serve as advisors for the team.
For more information about the toy drop offs or the team contact Donna at (813) 650-6199; or Ty Williams at (8130 900-6015.
