This past Friday night, thousands of churches from around the world, with the support of more than 200,000 volunteers, celebrated thousands of honored guests by hosting the annual Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine event.
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs. The global event has grown significantly since it began in 2015 and its impact is felt all over the world.
“We do many things with our guys here at SMILE. In fact, I always say that their social life is far greater than mine, but Night to Shine is a different social experience. It is the biggest party of the year. It is a celebration of their individuality while simultaneously letting them know they are apart of something much bigger.”
-Susan Gallagher, SMILE Director of Community Affairs
Among the thousands of guests were SMILE’s very own Steven, Carl, Nate, Arthur, and Andrew. Their unforgettable night began with the red carpet treatment. Cameras flashed and the crowd erupted as our guys arrived on the scene dressed to impress. From there, they met up with their own “buddy” for the evening who would act as a personal valet to fun, with experiences tailored to their individual preferences.
That means Andrew, Arthur, and Nate dominated the dance floor, Carl chatted up the police presence, and Steven took pictures with everyone he spoke with. There were limo rides, photo booths, salons, and plenty of delicious treats.
At the end of the evening, a special message from Tim Tebow played on a big screen. He announced that each special guest would be crowned a king or queen of the prom. Crowns were handed out and the celebration continued. For many of the honored guests, the moment of crowning was a display of love and acceptance that they had never experienced before and will certainly never forget. It was the culmination of a night full of palpable joy.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to experience a prom where they feel loved and welcomed and we pray this event will positively impact the lives of thousands of people across the country,"
-Tim Tebow
SMILE would like to thank the Tim Tebow Foundation, Liquid Church, and all the wonderful volunteers that helped make this a special Night to Shine. We look forward to next year.
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