The Tim Tebow Foundation said 200 churches in 48 states and eight countries have signed up to host Night to Shine, a prom-night experience for people with special needs ages 16 and older.
The proms will occur simultaneously in churches around the world Feb. 12.
“When I was 15 years old, I began to realize the importance of fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves,” said Tebow. “As a foundation, we are so passionate about people with special needs, and this event is a great time to tell them how much they are loved by God and by all of us.”
Every guest will enter the prom on a red carpet, complete with a welcome from a cheering crowd and paparazzi.
Once inside, guests will receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room and dancing.
The highlight of the night will be when each of the guests is crowned as a prom king or queen.
Night to Shine began with 44 churches. After a 400 percent increase from its inaugural year, the foundation will provide more than $2 million in sponsorships to the churches and is anticipating more than 70,000 volunteers serving over 30,000 attendees.
For more information or to sign up to help in celebrate people with special needs, visit timtebowfoundation.org.
Grants available from Walmart Foundation
The Walmart Foundation is seeking applicants for its State Giving Program for nonprofits that focus on hunger relief and healthy eating, career opportunity and disaster preparedness.
The deadline to submit requests is 11:59 p.m. Friday.
In 2014, community giving in Florida from Walmart stores, clubs and the Walmart Foundation totaled $82 million.
The Sulzbacher Center received a $50,000 grant for its meals program in 2015.
Established in 2008, Walmart associate-led State Advisory Councils work with the Walmart Foundation to help identify needs within their state, review grant requests and make funding recommendations to the foundation.
Eligible applicants must have current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria. Grant submissions are only accepted online at http://giving.walmart.com/foundation.
Annual Fight for Air Climb event is Feb. 6
Hundreds of American Lung Association supporters at 8 a.m. Feb. 6 will scale 42 flights of stairs – that’s 838 steps – at the Bank of America Tower at 50 N. Laura St.
Participants climb in support of friends and loved ones who suffer from lung diseases, like asthma and lung cancer, and raise funds for clean air and lung disease research, education and advocacy.
More than 33 million Americans suffer from a lung disease. The event has been raising awareness for lung education and advocacy in Jacksonville for eight years.
Firefighters from Duval, St. Johns and other counties will show their support at the end of the event by climbing the 42 flights in full firefighter gear — helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air pack — weighing more than 45 pounds.
Firefighters have an increased risk for lung disease from exposure to gases, chemicals and smoke in the line of duty.
For more information or to register, visit ClimbJax.org.
Chariots of Fur charity run is Feb. 6
North Beaches Pharmacy is the presenting sponsor of the 2016 Chariots of Fur Beach Run and Festival on Feb. 6 at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion.
The event is a day at the beach for four-legged and two-legged participants.
North Beaches Pharmacy provides customized medications for pets and people based on individual needs.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a 5K run and 1-mile fun run on the beach followed by live music, vendors, contests, food trucks, dogs available for adoption, a raffle and a silent auction.
Participants will receive a T-shirt and race packet filled with goodies for people and pups. The top 5K finishers will receive hand-made ceramic dog bowls.
For more information and to register for the event, visit ChariotsofFur5K.org.
Founded in 2003 by veterinarians, St. Francis Animal Hospital is a nonprofit that provides affordable veterinary care to pets in the Jacksonville area.
The hospital doesn’t receive state or federal funding. Its only sources of revenue are fees for services and donations. With the help of donors, the clinic served more than 9,000 pets in the past year.
For more information, visit saintfrancisanimalhospital.org.
Agency opens center for foster children in Yulee