Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow will speak at the 15th annual HeartLight event this Saturday in the FedExForum.
Christian-based, non-profit organization Agape Child & Family Services is presenting the event, which will start at 7 p.m. The organization seeks to raise awareness of and support for homelessness, orphan care and under-resourced communities in the city through the event.
Brian Hoover, developmental director for Agape, said Tebow, who recently signed a contract with the New England Patriots, was chosen to be the featured speaker because of his various philanthropic efforts through his Tim Tebow Foundation.
“He directly connects with our mission around serving children and families,” Hoover said. “He’s going to talk a little about his life journey, what’s he been through and then really rally the city around taking care of children and families in Memphis.”
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Memphis Mayor A C Wharton will both be in attendance as well.
“We hope [attendees] learn more about us as an organization and decide to get involved with us as a volunteer, mentor [or] teacher,” he said. “We hope they decide to make Agape a part of their philanthropic process.”
In 2011, Hoover said there were nearly 6,000 homeless women in Memphis. He said there are currently around 1,100 orphan children in Shelby County.
Agape has been combating these type of community issues since 1970 through community restoration, homeless services, mentoring, adoption, foster care, maternity services and counseling.
Tickets for the 15th Annual HeartLight event can be purchased at AgapeMeansLove.org or Ticketmaster.com.
