6-year-old plans a BUCM Kids Gala

When 6-year-old Winston Gantt helped his mom with the last Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala, something didn’t sit right with him.

“My mom had a gala and I thought it wasn’t fair if she got to have all the fun,” he explained, twisting in his chair. “I just wanted more fun, so I came up with the kids’ gala.”

The goal: helping children in need through Burke United Christian Ministries (BUCM). Now, Winston and his 8-year-old brother, Wade, are looking for sponsors for the Minecraft-themed event, planned for April 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BUCM.

Minecraft is a video game where players explore, gather materials, and build to their heart’s content with blocks, sometimes fending off monsters and other creatures in the process.

“I love playing Minecraft every day I wake up,” Winston said, now spinning his chair as he stood by it.

WHERE THE IDEA STARTED

Amber Bernard-Gantt is on the board of the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation, and has chaired the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gala, which benefits the hospital, for the last four years.

“He’s very familiar with the process,” she said. “Every year, (on) the day of the gala, Winston always likes to go to see all the decorations and how the final product is.”

The most recent gala’s green theme, “Evening in the Emerald City,” a nod to “Wicked” without overstepping copyright infringement, inspired Winston’s Minecraft idea, which also sports a green tone in its title and toys.

After a brief disagreement with his brother over which rock was the strongest in-game, they explained the sponsor packages.

SPONSORS

The packages correspond with in-game resources and characters, moving from The Mob sponsorship at $250 to the Bedrock at $500, and the Netherite at $1,000. Sponsors get varying levels of shout-outs on social media and recognition at the event, depending on how much they contribute.

The boys have already locked down five sponsors, including UNC Health Blue Ridge, and Winston thinks his teachers will be next.

BUCM Development Director Danielle Gordon-Vitrone said, “If somebody wants to have the perks of being recognized during the event, we’d like to have those in by April 8, at the latest.”

However, there is no deadline on how late sponsorships can come in.

Interested sponsors should contact Gordon-Vitrone at development@bucm.net or 828-433-8075 ext. 201.

WHERE THE KIDS COME IN

The event is intended for kids ages 5-12, with lunch and plenty of activity stations around the gala to keep them entertained.

The boys planned everything, from a Minecraft movie screening to bounce houses, and — they’re hoping — a station where the video game can be played.

They also decided on the menu for the evening: chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. As Danielle explained the meal, Winston sang “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” a tune from the movie.

Tickets are going for $20 apiece, or in a family package of four tickets for $60. Tickets can be purchased at bucm.net/events.