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Monday, Sept. 15, 2014

FOOTBALL FOR FIRST PRIORITY

Nonprofit encourages guests to put on game face

first-priority

This year Gala for Hope, a fundraiser benefiting First Priority, celebrates the kickoff of the football season with its football themed décor, attire and auction games.

First Priority, a faith-based nonprofit with youth ministry group chapters on the campuses of middle school and high school students in the Ark-La-Tex, will host Gala for Hope at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Shreveport Convention Center. Special guest speaker is Former LSU football player Kevin Mawae. Mawae is also a 2013 LSU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and host of 2014 Cox Sports TV LSU pre-game show. 

Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite NFL or NCAA team jerseys or T-shirts.

First Priority puts a new play on auctions with its “MVP Game” that places bidders right on the “field” in head-to-head competition for spectacular prizes. 

Julie Colvin, volunteer chairman for First Priority, said the gala guests are divided into “offense” and “defense” teams that compete to have the most ticket purchases. Using strategy, attendees work together with their teams to increase their chances of having the most raffle tickets in the pool. Colvin said players can also be “drafted” to the opposing team. “It’s competitive, friendly and fun,” Colvin said. “Instead of a live or silent auction, we’re doing something different.”

The raffle prizes include citron/diamond earrings from McCary’s Jewelers, a condo in the Gulf Shores and a Yeti Cooler. Colvin said there are different levels of “MVP” winners who will receive the prizes. The grand-prize winner will receive a trip to the sporting event of their choice anywhere in the country. Last year’s grand prize winners chose to attend a Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston.

First Priority’s groups are student initiated and led with support from the staff and volunteers of the organization. 

“Students reach out to their peers to share the hope and love of God,” Colvin said. “Students start groups in their schools, then lead, plan and drive the club.” 

Funds raised at the gala will go toward leadership training for students, bibles for new believers, team building exercises to train students and meeting supplies during school years for the clubs. In turn, the students learn skills that can be applied to other areas of their lives. 

First Priority Executive Director John Carruth said the organization’s leaders meet monthly with youth pastors in the community for fellowship and discussion.

“We’re bringing the youth pastors to one accord to discuss issues that students bring to them to find the best solution as to how to service the youth,” Carruth said. 

First Priority also uses this relationship with the youth pastors to help youth find a spiritual leader and church home. Colvin said the organization works with various religious beliefs including Baptist, non-denominational and Methodist.

First Priority’s goal is to extend outreach by hosting a club on the campus of every middle and high school in Shreveport-Bossier City and the Ark-La-Tex. 

Colvin said the youth groups began in about five schools in 2010. There are currently 11 schools in Shreveport- Bossier City with groups that have more than 200 students involved every week. 

There is also discussion of students starting a First Priority club in a school in Tyler, Texas.

“[The youth] need help with the issues they face – relationships, peer pressure, pressure at home and in the media,” Colvin said. “It gives them the ability to communicate what’s going on around the world. Young people face issues head on at a younger age.”

Want to go?

Tickets to become a “free agent” at the Gala for Hope fundraiser are $100, which includes one reserved seat and a chance to win a door prize. The ticket package to become a Team Sponsor is $1,250. The Team Sponsor package includes reserved seating for eight, a chance at winning a door prize and recognition on table and programs. Tickets may be purchased by calling First Priority at 751-0799 or visiting online at www.firstp.org.

ON STANDS NOW!

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