It may be months away, but Jan. 16, is sure to be a night no one will soon forget when Moore Buddies and Communities In Schools host the first-ever 'Dancing with the Sandhills Stars' event at the Pine Needles Reception Center.

In an effort to raise money to benefit Moore County's mentoring programs, local community leaders will take the stage in a celebrity-style dance-off.

This event is open to the public and will be a dinner party beginning that evening at 6 p.m.

The Pilot and PineStraw magazine's Jim Dodson will be the event's master of ceremonies, and the dancers will be announced at a special party in October.

Moore Buddies and Communities In Schools are both 501c(3) non profits focusing on mentoring the youth in Moore County.

While these two nonprofits share an overall goal, they are both very different.

Moore Buddies provides

one-on-one, community-based mentoring for its youth with mentors spending about 10 hours a month with their younger mentees.

Communities In Schools provides one-on-one, school-based mentoring during the school day; mentors spend one hour a week with their mentees focusing on goal setting strategies.

Each organization provides a valuable, necessary service to the children of Moore County.

For more information about the event, contact Moore Buddies at 400-5236 or Communities In Schools at 295-1072.

"Be on the look out for more updates in The Pilot as the event draws near including ticket sale locations, price, and the list of 'stars,'" says a spokesman.