A Night to Shine
Do you remember your junior and senior proms? You had to find that special guy or girl to go with. You had to go shopping and find just the right dress, shoes, purse, and jewelry or tux to match that dress. Ladies, there was the anticipation of getting your hair and nails done and getting dressed for the night. And guys, let’s not forget about ordering those special flowers for your girl. When the night finally arrived, there was excitement in the air. Getting to walk in the grand march, a nice dinner, spending time with your friends, and dancing the night away. Do you remember how special you felt for one night? For most people, those are memories they will never forget.
Last year, as I was surfing the web one night, I read about an event called Night to Shine, sponsored by The Tim Tebow Foundation. I’m sure some of you are familiar with this event, but for those of you who are not, a Night to Shine is “an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older.” This year, on February 7, Night to Shine will celebrate six years. Night to Shine events are hosted by churches around the world. Last year, 655 churches participated. It took 200,000 volunteers to make this a memorable night for approximately 100,000 guests with special needs.
Night to Shine provides honored guests with the royal treatment. Upon arriving, guests are welcomed with a red carpet, crowds cheering them on, and photographers. Inside there are hair and makeup stations, shoe-shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room, and a dance floor. To top it off, all guests are crowned the king and queen of the prom. What a way to make someone feel special, honored, and loved, while also giving them a lasting memory!
Want to know more about Night to Shine or view a short video on last year’s event? Please visit the Tim Tebow Foundation website at: https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shine. This website has information on participating churches, volunteer opportunities, and how you can register someone to attend. There is also a button to donate to support this worthy cause. If you know of someone who would like to be involved in Night to Shine, please contact their local Night to Shine host church directly. A list of Night to Shine host churches can be found on the website. Once on the page, scroll down to the bottom to find a list and map of 2020 host churches.
