Since 2003, Farragut Christian Church has organized the PROM OF THE STARS, a special evening of dancing and food for physically and mentally challenged individuals, ages 15 and older, which is totally supported by the community, making it free to participants. The prom is held annually on the second Saturday of November, and November 8th marks the sixth annual prom. Last year there were about 800 guests, care givers, and volunteers who teamed together to make this evening a success. Why take on such a huge event?  There are 59.5 million special needs individuals in the United States, about 20% of the population. In Knox County, approximately 71,000 people live with a physical or mental challenge. Like most people, they desire the same opportunities as others in our community have, with chances to participate in a variety of activities. Why would you ignore 20% of the community in which you live?
This year the Prom of the Stars will be different from the previous five.  Jim Riner, who was an elder at Farragut Christian Church, started and organized the Prom, passed away in May of this year.  Our desire is to continue the dream that was so important to Jim.  Our hope is that as the Prom continues to reach the special needs community we will carry on the legacy that Jim began in 2003.
A feature story on the 2004 prom, written by Matt Shafer Powell of WUOT public radio, won a 2005 regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. If you did not get to hear the story, you can listen to it at the prom website, www.promofthestars.com, while you get more information about the prom itself.
The registration form for this year’s prom will be posted at the website, as well as a host of other information. There you will find a list of businesses that supported the prom during last year’s event. The prom offers tuxedos, prom dresses, pictures, food, prize giveaways and music. Every year, participants receive prizes that are donated by businesses in the community. They are usually items ordered for business marketing, or are leftover from an advertising campaign. If you would like to volunteer or support the prom in any way, contact Farragut Christian Church by phone at 966-5224, or by e-mail Jason.warden@farragutchristianchurch.com. The church had 100 volunteers that attended last year’s prom, and a host of others that provided needed supplies or monetary contributions.
The prom is held at the Knoxville Exhibition and Convention Center, and has been supported by LOVE89 radio since its inaugural year. This year, we will again have a sit-down dinner for the guests before the dance, so your monetary support is critical to those plans. Our goal to meet this year’s Prom expenses is $20,000.  If you or your group would like to sponsor a table, please send your monetary donation to the church at 138 Admiral Road, Knoxville, TN 37934.
The church hears from attendees every year. A telephone call from a mother in South Carolina whose daughter lives in a group home here in Tennessee got this response: “I want to thank you for holding this event. I have never seen my daughter so excited about anything in a long time. It’s all she talks about. You’ve provided joy in her life.” We hope each of you will consider supporting a special event that demonstrates how people being involved can make an impact in their community.