From left, Randy Grey and former NFL Buffalo Bills’ football player, Donald Demetrius “Butch” Rolle will be hosting a fundraiser bowling tournament Dec. 7 in Jamestown. Submitted photo

Former National Football League tight end for the Buffalo Bills and Phoenix Cardinals, Donald Demetrius “Butch” Rolle will host a bowling fundraiser for The Butch Rolle Foundation in Jamestown.

Rolle, who used to wear No. 87 for the Bills and No. 82 for the Cardinals, will be holding a bowling fundraiser Dec. 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Jamestown Bowling Company, 850 Foote Ave. The onus for the fundraising, according to Randy Grey, a supporter of the foundation, is to raise money for educational scholarships and Christmas gifts.

Rolle and his band will also perform as part of the fundraising endeavor at Wicked Warrem’s Jamestown location, 119 W. Third St., from 9 to 12 p.m. after the bowling fundraiser with his band, The Butch Rolle Experience.

“I met Butch a few years back and wanted to help with his fundraiser,” Grey said.

Rolle’s organization has three pillars it uses:

– Awareness: Support 100 girls interested in the fields of artificial intelligence, advanced research and other scientific and technology centered specialties get access to the early training they need. That includes partnering to provide summer camps, virtual bootcamps and mentoring;

– Fundraising: Provide meals, mentoring, information, support services, and financial support to more than 250 people every year;

– Policy and Advocacy: Broad network of volunteers advocates state and education policies that benefit students.

“I have a passion for working with kids,” Rolle said. “My father was a pastor, and I come from a large family. I just want to give back to the community.”

Rolle says while things have changed over the years in Western New York, some things remain the same.

“Funding for education was a problem when I was in school, and when I played for the Bills and Cardinals. Paying college tuition is still a barrier for some kids,” he said. “I was lucky, I had scholarships for playing football. …Not everyone can get an athletic scholarship, not everyone is born 6 foot, 5 inches, and weighs 250 pounds.”

Rolle said that his organization will be picking a student from the Jamestown area to be a scholarship recipient and possibly more. For more information about the upcoming fundraiser contact Grey on 716-450-3414 or email Grey316@hotmail.com.