JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler, Changing Homelessness and First Coast News will host the 2nd annual "Make the Call" Telethon to raise money for homelessness charities across the state of Florida on Oct. 25 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event was rescheduled due to Hurricane Milton.
Butler has asked sports commissioners for the National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball Association to invest $1 million per organization to Florida cities with professional sports teams.
This comes in response to Florida HB-1365, which prohibits sleeping on public streets or benches, and the anticipated impact of Hurricane Milton on veterans, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, according to a press release from Changing Homelessness.
The investments would be managed by the lead agencies designated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing programs and services, which include Changing Homelessness in Jacksonville, Homeless Services Network in Orlando, Miami-Dade Homeless Trust and Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative in Tampa.
Butler is a Jacksonville native and ambassador for Changing Homelessness. He will join the organization and FCN for the telethon, which will be broadcast live from the WJCT Soundstage and air on First Coast News, as well as stream on Facebook live.f the rival matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Green Bay Packers.
“This work is extremely important to me. I grew up poor and understand the impact of breaking the cycle of poverty. Together, we can help thousands of people to find hope, dignity, and a home because homelessness is not a crime, and no person deserves to be punished for it. Homelessness is solvable. I believe in the power of sports to unite communities, inspire change, and make real impact. The same commitment that leads to victories in arenas and stadiums across the country can help us to be champions for our community," Butler said.