Duane Millard wants the single adults to rise to the potential he sees in them.

Millard and his wife, Glenda, are co-chairs of the Holladay Region Single Adult Council, and an upcoming event they're organizing for singles age 31 and older on Nov. 6 is designed to encourage them make changes in all areas of their lives.

"This is makeover time. This is new opportunity time. This is the holidays," Millard said.

Dubbed "Extreme Makeovers for the Holidays," the Friday evening activity will focus on spiritual, financial and social makeovers. Elder Von Keetch, an area authority, will be the keynote speaker and will address the more than 400 people Millard expects to attend.

Two workshops focused on giving the singles a "boost" in their spiritual and financial lives will follow Elder Keetch's remarks, as will the makeover event Millard really looks forward to. Representatives from Utah Woolen Mills will coach the men on dressing sharp, and 30-40 students and staff from the Sherman Kendall Academy of Beauty Arts and Sciences will offer women hair styling, manicures and make-up application.

Millard said the physical makeovers aren't intended to make people feel bad about their appearance or focus on shallowness, but are a way to give them a boost and motivate them to change other areas of their lives.

"Why not look and feel the best that you possibly can?" Millard said.

Millard has co-chaired the Holladay committee for more than three years, and in that time has noticed how unconcerned some people are with they way they look. He figures that most people would dress up for job interviews, yet they'll attend church or dances looking scrubby.

Millard said he understands how the current economy plays into individuals' feelings of self-worth.

"The recession has caused people to be a little bit discouraged," he said.

Which is why he's told the speakers to be lively and direct in an attempt to reverse the negativity.

"I want you to push them," he told the teachers. "That's kind of the spirit I'm trying to put into this thing."

Single adults everywhere are invited to attend, as part of the council's goals to provide an "endless stream" of new associations. The council sponsors several events a year, including a large conference held each May which has featured Olympic gymnast Peter Vidmar and actor Ricky Schroeder in the past.

In his experience, Millard said he's found that singles in the church mainly want two things: to form new relationships and to make a difference in the world.

Millard believes the Nov. 6 experience should help those who attend to do both.

"It's time you guys get out there and change the world."

E-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com