A Night to Shine

FaithFun

Feb 9

This post is a very special (and emotional) post for me to make. Just a few short months ago, in early December 2022, I lost someone very dear to me. The world lost a bright light, a pure spirit. My great Aunt Betsy was truly the most precious soul, and she went home to be with the Lord after battling a year-long sickness.

Betsy had down syndrome, but that didn’t stop her from being the most kind and genuine person. She had an vivacious personality, extremely outgoing with an infectious sense of humor. She used any and every opportunity to compliment you and show you love. She had the most beautiful gift of making everyone feel special.

Since her passing, I have tried to find ways to honor her - eating Chinese food, having lots of ice cream (she had the BIGGEST sweet tooth) and watching The Brady Bunch. However, while looking through my wedding photos I was reminded of huge joy of hers… Betsy LOVED to dance!

So that got me thinking, how can I go beyond my personal honoring of her, and work to make a difference in the lives of others living with special needs? And God is so good that at church the next Sunday He provided the perfect opportunity!

A local church, Good Shepherd, will be one of thousands of churches participating in this global event. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs aged 14 years and older. On this one night (February 10th, 2023) hundreds of churches around the world will come together to celebrate people with special needs. Praise God!

“Rooted in the belief that everyone matters, we focus our daily efforts on standing up for those who can not fight for themselves. Perhaps nowhere else is the need to do so more apparent than in the special needs community. Too often, this demographic is overlooked, marginalized, or ignored entirely, particularly in countries outside the United States, where people with special needs are often believed to be cursed. We believe, however, that every child of God is uniquely created and inherently worthy of love, and so as we love Him, we also love ALL others (John 13:34-35).”

Tell Me More!

This upcoming Friday, the community will don their prom gear and work hard to make an unforgettable night for both special needs individuals and their caregivers. This prom will include a red carpet walk, with paparazzi cheering each attendee on as they enter the event. Exquisite catered food will be provided for a lovely sit down dinner. A DJ will fill the dance hall with stunning lights and jamming music, so that everyone can dance their heart out. And for individuals who might want a little something different, there will be a Mario Cart room, a karaoke area, a coloring/craft room, a calm room for those with sensory sensitivities and a Limousine ride!

As well, the caregivers will have the evening off to be pampered themselves. There will be a respite room where they will also be honored for their hard work and treated like the royalty they are.

This blast of an evening will end with each and every honored attendee getting crowned so that everyone can experience the glory of becoming a Prom Queen and King and be told how much of a treasure they are.

I am tearing up just thinking about how special of an event this is going to be!

How Did This Get Started?

Tim Tebow has a great passion for people with special needs, because when he was 15 a little boy named Sherwin from the Philippines altered the trajectory of his life. This sweet boy has physical deformities that made the village treat him as an outcast, but by Tim showing love and compassion to the boy the rest of the village was moved towards acceptance of his condition. This event inspired the creation of the Tim Tebow foundation in 2010. And just a few short years later in 2014 “Night to Shine” was officially born. Their mission is, “To bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”

“Shine On, a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation, equips the global Church and families living with disability with innovative resources, training, and programs to eliminate barriers and cultivate life-giving community.”

For more information on the Shine On foundation please visit here.

How Can I Help?

There are many different ways to get involved. If you look at the map here, you will be able to locate if A Night to Shine is taking place near you. I am sure they could always use more volunteers for this event! Everyone has something of value that they can contribute, whether that be a hair and makeup artist dedicating some of their time to help the honored lady attendees feel their most beautiful, or some strong men who want to use their muscle power to aid in set-up and take-down.

The more the merrier!

If you would like to contribute monetarily, you may do so on the Night to Shine website or you can become a donor for the Shine On foundation.

Night to Shine is much more than just one unforgettable evening a year. This is a chance for us to make a lifelong impact. This is an opportunity to bring communities together in a beautiful way.

For more information on Night to Shine please click here.

I know that Betsy would have loved this more than anything. And I look forward to meeting more beautiful souls at this event. I am excited to honor Betsy in this way.