Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow is the featured speaker at this year’s Great Futures Celebration April 19.
“This is an event we’re really excited about,” said Jessie Vintson, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta’s communications and development manager, of the event which is the club’s major fundraiser.
The two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback heads the Tim Tebow Foundation, which has four focus areas — people with special needs, orphan care and prevention, children with profound medical needs and anti-human trafficking.
The foundation works in more than 70 countries with 16 initiatives.
“He’s a champion for youth,” said Vintson.
And his emphasis on children and working to give them healthy lives parallels the mission and work of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, which serves more than 4,700 children in Richmond, McDuffie and Washington counties, she said.
There are eight clubs in the area — five physical ones and three at Richmond County schools. Officials recently introduced a mobile club to reach even more children.
The club offers after school and summer camp programs for children from kindergarten through high school.
After school programs provide “daily activities centered on five core areas of personal development – character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness, and recreation. By focusing on these areas, our members amplify their academic success, build good character and citizenship and adopt healthy lifestyles,” according to the organization’s website.
The Great Futures event supports its operational budget and is the largest fundraiser of the year, according to Vintson. A burger battle is held in the fall.
The event will be held at the Augusta Convention Center, with a 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception followed by the dinner at 7 p.m.
Sponsorships are still available, but the reservation window is closing, she said.
The community support is phenomenal, she said. The event draws upwards of 900 people.
This is the eighth annual event. Previous speakers have included Condoleezza Rice and Kirby Smart.
For more information, visit the organization’s website.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com
