Desire Street Ministries Hosts 8th Annual Desire Cup Uniting Gators and Bulldogs for a Cause at Georgia-Florida Football Game Weekend

ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Former University of Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Danny Wuerffel, will host the 8^th Annual Desire Cup Golf Fundraiser on Oct. 25-26, to benefit Desire Street Ministries. The event, presented by Pilgrim’s, will be held at TPC Sawgrass during the Georgia-Florida football game weekend, uniting Bulldog and Gator athletes and fans together for a cause. Wuerffel isn’t the only Heisman Trophy winner to expect at the event. Last year, all three Gator Heisman Trophy alumni, Steve Spurrier, Wuerffel and Tim Tebow participated in the fundraiser for Desire Street Ministries.

All three University of Florida Heisman Trophy alumni, Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow participated in the 2017 Desire Cup fundraiser for Desire Street Ministries. Former Gator Terry LeCount and Bulldog Musa Smith at The PLAYERS Stadium course for Desire Cup Golf Tournament. The Desire Cup is presented by Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading poultry producers, and other key sponsors. To participate, visit: www.desirestreet.org/desirecup.

“You never know who is going to show up at the Desire Cup,” said Wuerffel who led the Gators to win their first-ever national championship in 1996. “It’s another reason why it’s hands-down one of my favorite events of the year. It’s so uplifting to see rivals and teammates come together for a purpose and turn one of the most famous college football rivalries into a meaningful and impactful cause, empowering communities throughout the southeast.”

Desire Street started its ministry in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans in 1990. What began as a Bible study and tutoring center has developed over the past 28 years into a ministry seeking solutions for communities throughout the southeast and beyond. With headquarters based in Atlanta, Desire Street works to revitalize under-resourced neighborhoods through spiritual and community development. By partnering with organizations leading this challenging work, Desire Street helps develop thriving and sustainable ministries for long-term impact.

Last year’s Desire Cup raised more than $300,000 that went towards developing more leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods and allowed the organization to add another key coaching position. The goal of this year’s Desire Cup is to match the $300,000 from last year in order to add up to six new ministry partners by June, all of which will receive full-time coaching, organizational development, leadership assessments and retreats, as well as important social capital to enable the expansion of their own networks of supporters.

“In the same way a quarterback cannot win a game on his own, these ministries cannot survive without a team effort,” said Wuerffel. “What Desire Street is doing to support existing ministries is critical to the lifeline of these neighborhoods that would otherwise have little or no resources.”

A “Party with a Purpose,” opens the Desire Cup Fundraiser Weekend on Thursday, Oct. 25, with a fundraising dinner at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. Individual tickets are available for $500 and include the opportunity to mingle with Bulldogs and Gator Greats, former coaches, and other celebrity guests planning to attend including coaches Spurrier and Vince Dooley, Chris DiMarco, Tony Barnhart, Lito Sheppard, John Lastinger, David Nelson, Lindsay Scott, Judd Davis, Shane Matthews, Eric Zeier, Matt LaPorta, Musa Smith, Kevin Butler, Ahmad Black and more. The Desire Cup tournament tees off at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the world-renowned The PLAYERS Stadium course. The age-old rivalry continues on the green, as Bulldog and Gator players are paired up with participants in Ryder Cup format. After the tournament, lunch will be served in the Clubhouse at 2 p.m. where the coveted Desire Cup trophy will be presented. Anyone can participate virtually by donating to the 19^th hole online. The event is presented by Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading poultry producers, and other key sponsors. To participate, visit: http://www.desirestreet.org/desirecup.

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