CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. - ATHLETES FOR AMERICA (AFA) Founder, Billy McGehee is a resident at Gulf Harbour in Iona-McGregor's Fire District. Since 9-11-01, he has been on a mission to utilize the strength of athletes, the power of the American sports system, emergency responders, and the media to network and educate millions of Americans on how each one of us can become better prepared and trained for any type of natural, man-made, or day to day emergency.

From the bayous of Louisiana, Billy has built an impressive legacy as an entrepreneur in the sporting world. As a four-year, scholarship athlete at Louisiana State University and a world ranked professional tennis player, Billy made contacts in the sports world that would change his life. He was the President, CEO, and Governor of the Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey League Team, General Manager and a Founding member of several Arena Football 1 League Teams, Owner/President of the National Collegiate Travel Company, Owner/President of International Sports Promotion and Management Company, and Director of Tennis for major tennis facilities throughout the United States. There are many other impressive accomplishments.

Billy will be launching the ATHLETES FOR AMERICA National Emergency Preparedness Tour from Iona-McGregor

Station 74, on September 7, 2010. Prior to that on, Friday, September 3, 2010 at 2:00 pm, the Spirit of America 1 tour bus will be christened at Station 74 (6061 S. Pointe Blvd./College). John Biffar (Dreamtime Entertainment) will be filming the christening and parts of the tour throughout Florida and beyond. A fire department escort is being planned from Station 74 to the Florida border. IMFD will be recognized at the christening as, AFA Post 1 and each fire department that joins along the tour route that takes a pledge to educate their residents and join in emergency preparedness nights with their local sporting affiliates can also become a Post.

We welcome you to the christening event and the launch from Station 74. More information about AFA can be found at: http://www.athletesforamerica.com. All are encouraged to join - athletes and non-athletes that want to Protect, Serve, Educate, and Make a Difference in America. Joining is free.

Dates and Times of Events:

Christening: Friday, September 3, 2010 @ 2:00 pm - IMFD Station 74

Launch: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 @ TBA - IMFD Station 74