A Huntsville-based group dedicated to fighting homelessness will host a fundraiser next month featuring Bill Searcey, author of “High Tide: A Story of Football Freefall and Forgiveness.”

The event is being presented by First Stop, a nonprofit organization established in 2001 to reduce the number of homeless persons in Huntsville and Madison County. It is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Campus 805 in the Stone Event Center. A VIP reception begins at 5:30.

After an All-American high school football career, Searcey went on to play for legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama, and was a member of two national championship teams in 1978 and 1979.

After college, Bill played in both the USFL and NFL, but his life took a tragic turn after football. He became addicted to drugs and alcohol which eventually left him homeless on the streets of Birmingham.

Individual tickets are $70 and tables start at $500. Ticket information and sponsorship opportunities are available now at FirstStop.org.