With short notice and little publicity, about 1,800 fans showed up last year for the Florida football team's inaugural Gator Charity Challenge.

The event centered around Florida's final team workout before fall practice began and featured intensive competition in various strength and conditioning events between Gator players. It was designed to raise awareness for various charities including the American Cancer Society.

But this year, the players wondered how big might the event be if they really went all out to make people aware? 

On Wednesday, a group of Gator players will be at the 34th Street Wall in Gainesville painting one last annnoucement about the event. It will be the culmination of weeks of work with six charitable agencies - American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Children’s Miracle Network, March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the North Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help promote their causes.

Friday, they'll find out if the hard work has paid off.

The Gator Charity Challenge will be held July 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It features the football players, broken down into teams, challenging each other in a series of strength competitions. The event is free and open to the public.

Gates 1-4 on the west concourse of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be open for entrance to the event at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Because the Gator players are not allowed to take donations, pledge cards will be available on the West Concourse of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for fans to have an opportunity to donate to their designated charities. Cash and checks will not be accepted on site, only pledge form donations.

Check back here later this week for a story about how senior receiver David Nelson has helped lead the way on this year's event in what he calls a "life-changing'' project.

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