Presbyterian Church, YMCA Partner To Host ‘Night To Shine’ Event
Presbyterian Church, YMCA Partner To Host ‘Night To Shine’ Event
Posted
Staff Report-
Presbyterian Church, YMCA Partner To Host ‘Night To Shine’ EventOn Feb. 8, the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with direct support from the Kosciusko Community YMCA, played host to Warsaw’s second annual Night to Shine event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
Night to Shine is a prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older, according to a news release. This event took place at over 600 churches around the world.
Following pampering of hair, makeup, and shoe shinning, guests arrived by limo to this complimentary event and were each greeted on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, all 129 Warsaw guests received the royal treatment, including corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors for each honored guest, a Respite Room for parents and caretakers and a dance floor. It led up to the moment when each guest was crowned king or queen of the prom.
One of the guests, Skylar, said, “It was fun getting pampered by getting my hair and makeup done. The people helping me were all so nice. It was exciting getting to walk, well roll down the red carpet and have everyone treating me like I'm famous. I was even able to get my picture taken with the mayor. I was worried that no one would dance with me, but I love to dance. Sometimes I am just move my arms, sometimes I spin around in my chair. I even made myself dizzy for the first time. I even had a gentleman ask me to dance. Him and some other volunteers got me out of my chair and helped me dance. It was special to be able to be crowned prom queen. After that I was able to dance with my dad for the first time, because he is always running the sound equipment. This made me feel so special and awesome that so many people would take their time out of their own life to improve somebody else’s.”
The release states, “The smiles were endless and lives of both the guest and the volunteers were changed forever. Some volunteers shared that this is what heaven must look like. A sea of all ages, all abilities of humanity, happy, sharing, loving and dancing in joy together. It truly was a night full of God’s love.”
As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation provided each host church with the official 2019 Night to Shine Planning Manual, the official Night to Shine Prom Kit, complete with decorations and gifts for the guests, and personalized guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member. Many of those decorations and gifs were made locally by Shindigz, a worldwide supplier to the Tim Tebow Foundation for the Night to Shine.
Locally, the Night to Shine was made possible through the support of the community, 221 direct volunteers and many sponsors.
Platinum sponsors included Blosser’s Photography and Mason Geiger Photography and Film.
Gold sponsors were Titus Funeral Home, Anderson Florist & Green House, Toyota Warsaw, Rice Ford Lincoln, Wildman, S & M Marine Products and The Murphy Family.
Silver sponsors were Latte Lounge, Warsaw Party Rental and Male Fashions.
Bronze sponsors were Patrick Blanda, Terry and Sherri Milton, Ronna and John Fruth and Jane Teevan.
Other contributions were made by Grace College CEC, Lutheran EMS, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Infinity Salon, Walmart, Senior Services, Owens, First United Methodist Church, Launda Ewell, Terry Powers, Russell Ridley and Terry Long.
Limo services were provided by White Diamond Limo of Warsaw, Elite Whiteman Limo of Bourbon and Royal Excursion of Mishawaka.
The Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Kosciusko Community YMCA gave a thanks to all that helped make the night a huge success.
For more information on the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org.
