Outreach program plans an ‘all-star’ event
Local chapter of youth o u t r e a c h program, First Priority, is hosting their second annual Gala for Hope fundraiser 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the CenturyLink Center, with a theme to attract a fan-filled crowd. The 2013 Gala for Hope will feature an NFL theme, which Chairman Julie Colvin calls the “perfect fit” for the event.
“The First Priority organization itself reflects entire community involvement, with each member playing an active role,” she said. “Our students are our players on the field, the parents are our fans in stands, the educators are our Reis referees and our community partners are the team owners.”
First Priority focuses on connecting middle school and high school students to the local church by encouraging student-initiated, student-led Christian clubs on campus. By bringing in guest speakers and participating in community activities, First Priority builds a bridge to students looking for community and leadership, and provides a connection point with local churches for students interested in getting plugged into a youth group, Colvin said.
First Priority has active groups at Caddo Magnet High School and Caddo Middle Magnet, Byrd High School, Captain Shreve, Parkway, Airline, Ruston High School and Youree Drive Middle School.
Endorsed by leaders like Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A; Josh McDowell, international speaker and author; Pat Williams, senior vice president, NBA’s Orlando Magic, Terry Bowden, former head football coach of Auburn University; and many others, First Priority is widely acknowledged to be a launching point for giving students direction and community.
The evening will be emceed by pastor Justin Haigler of The Simple Church, and the guest speaker will be former Saints football player Chris Reis. Best-known for his game-changing play in the 2009 Super Bowl, Reis is also known as a devoted husband and father, author and speaker, and active philanthropist.
“Organizations like First Priority are extremely important because they provide young people the opportunity to experience a real relationship with an amazing God that will love them unconditionally and never leave them, let them down, or fill them with false lies,” Reis said. “They empower kids, parents, community leaders, and local churches to speak of the Truth and Hope of Jesus Christ, and First Priority does this in the most needed mission field in the world, our schools. And we need this now more than ever.” Reis travels across the country telling his story of “living a faith-based lifestyle in an ego-centric culture.”
“Chris was selected to speak at the Gala for Hope after several staff members read the ESPN article ‘Lost Heroes of the Super Bowl,’” Colvin said. “The combination of his faith and the role it has played in his life, and the winning play he made for the New Orleans Saints made him seem like the perfect choice for the event.”
Guests are encouraged to dress casually in jeans and their favorite team’s jersey, and sponsors will get to choose their team table based on their level of sponsorship and date of purchase. The evening’s activities will carry on the theme with a pre-party gaming area called the “Eagle End Zone,” football-related games and a drink sampling of new sports drink EX5, developed at LSU. The evening will focus on two games, which will take the place of a traditional silent auction in the fundraising focus of the event – the Priority Playoff and the MVP Game.
The Priority Playoff will mirror the NFL playoffs leading up to the Super Bowl champion, and winners will receive prizes at each level. The MVP Game will award a Defensive MVP, an Offensive MVP and the Super Bowl MVP.
The event is sponsored by HealthCARE Express Urgent Care & Occupational Therapy, Specialists Hospital Shreveport, Advantage Reliability, Rose, Whetstone & Smith – Ameriprise Financial, Eagle Distributing, The Forum and Gumbeaux Productions and prizes will include gift certificates from Performance Car Wash, 14K white gold and black onyx diamond earrings from McCary’s Jewelers, LSU tickets, local restaurant gift certificates and two trip giveaways.
The evening’s goal is to top last year’s Gala for Hope intake of $50,000, which goes towards support for the clubs, providing Bibles to students and events like a pre-concert parties and outreach events.
– Kayleigh Plette
Want to Go?
For more information on tickets and sponsorship, contact: John Carruth, director of First Priority Ark-La-Tex 751-0799 john@arklatexfp.org Visit: www.arklatexfp.org.
