Greene County Daily World: A Night to Shine at WestGate Academy
February 6, 2017
Via Greene County Daily World Every guest enters the event on a red carpet, walking past cheering crowds and friendly faces. Every guest at the complimentary ‘Night to Shine,’ a glitzy prom night sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), will be crowned Prom King or Queen by evening’s end. Hair will be done and makeup expertly applied for every female guest, and every male guest will receive a free shoeshine. Corsages and boutonnieres are provided, and guests dance the night away at this worldwide event for people with special needs. Those who need assistance in obtaining proper prom attire just have to say the word, and the clothing is provided. An open invitation is issued every year to anyone 14 or older with special needs. According to the Tim Tebow Foundation, “Night to Shine celebrates the uniqueness of every individual guest by providing an unforgettable night, where they are welcomed, valued and loved.” The inaugural Night to Shine was launched in 2015, the five-year anniversary of the foundation. That year, the event was held on Valentine’s Day, at 44 locations in 26 states, Uganda and Kenya. 15,000 volunteers catered to 7,000 special guests. From 2015 to 2016, the numbers rose 450 percent, with Night to Shine held in 48 states and eight countries, assisted by 70,000 volunteers, with 32,000 guests. Further, according to www.timtebowfoundation.org, on Feb. 10, 2017, 150,000 volunteers in 50 states and 11 countries, on behalf of 375 host churches, will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 75,000 prom guests worldwide, at no charge to them. The foundation’s website explains, “The Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with financial support, decorations and gifts for each participant as well as a detailed book of guidelines.” Volunteers must pass a background check when they apply to help, and help they do, with food preparation and serving, cheering on guests as they arrive, crowning kings and queens and a multitude of tasks required to put on the glamorous and festive evening. From a promotional video made by the foundation, Tebow says, “All around the world, this night, there are (special needs) girls walking down a red carpet, being told that they are beautiful, and being loved and being celebrated.” The video is set to background music by Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline, a song called “Kings and Queens.” Lyrics from the chorus include: “Boys become kings, girls will be queens, wrapped in your majesty.” Read more by following this link