When I got the call from Gay Cunningham a few months ago, I’d never heard of A Night to Shine. It’s an event hosted each year across the nation by Tim Tebow’s foundation, for people aged 14 and up with disabilities.
It’s like Prom Night and the Grammy’s all wrapped into one, complete with a red carpet and glamour pictures, a 5-star dinner, a King and Queen ball, and karaoke for all who wish to participate. Fusion Bible Church agreed to host it, and volunteers spent several days fixing it up for the big event.
Cunningham was serving on the planning team and thought People First Industries would be interested in attending, and she was right. We had more than 25 of our supported individuals and employees show up dressed in suits and dresses that would have looked at home at a Hollywood awards show, along with dozens of other participants from all over the county. I was one of the many volunteers, all of whom had background checks and were required to complete training videos. Somehow, I managed to squeak through and snagged a ticket to the grand event.
When I arrived at the parking lot just prior, I was greeted by a friendly team of local citizens in bright yellow safety vests who pointed everyone in the right direction, and were also available to assist any of the participants who might need help when they arrived. Some rode in limousines which were made available to any of the honored guests, and it was quite inspiring to see the excitement on their faces as they walked into the church to meet their “Buddy,” the volunteer who would be escorting them through the various events of the evening.
A large, raucous crowd had formed alongside the red carpet, and when the guests walked down it, they burst into cheers, waving signs and letting them know this was going to be different. Some were so excited by all the attention that they insisted on walking the red carpet twice.
Immediately afterwards, shoeshine stations and hair and makeup rooms were made available for those who wanted to fix up even more. After having professional photos taken dressed in their finest attire, they were led to the main dining hall for a meal fit for a king. Volunteer servers dressed as chefs provided them with a great meal, and I have to say those of us who volunteered were captivated by the sights and smells and were more than a bit envious.
My stomach growled on more than one occasion. After dinner, it was on to the various events. A large dance hall had been set up with a professional sound system and lights worthy of a rock concert. A huge screen was lit up with all kinds of images, and the dance floor was packed with happy people leaving it all out there. The wellknown phrase “dance like no one can see you” was on full display, with large circles of people forming around the dancers, many of whom had moves that brought the house down and left many of the volunteers laughing and gasping in amazement.
A mother of one of the guests who was dancing commented that she hadn’t even realized her daughter knew how to dance. I don’t think there was a happier place on the planet other than perhaps the karaoke room, where people stepped up to the microphone and belted out songs that echoed throughout the hallways. America does indeed have talent. Toward the latter part of the evening, the group assembled in the dance hall to watch an inspirational video message from Tim Tebow and his wife Demi-Leigh, after which the participants were crowned Kings and Queens with crowns and tiaras.
Nicole Hixon was the event organizer, and she had many great things to say about her 13-member planning committee.
“To host an event like this for the first time and have everything come off without a hitch is a testament to how hard they worked,” she said. “We estimate there were over 235 volunteers and 75 guests. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and did their part. We also had some great sponsors and could not have done the event without them. We plan to host this every year and are hopeful the community will really rally around it. We’d like to see it continue to grow.”
Based on my personal experience that evening, I think it’s a given that “A Night to Shine” will only get bigger as time goes by. One would be hard pressed to determine whether the guests or the volunteers were having a better time. The joy in the room was palpable, and all the sponsors, organizers and volunteers are to be commended for putting on a show that will be remembered for a lifetime. Speaking for me, as someone who has worked with the disabled for 33 years, many of whom have become friends, I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. The good kind. (For additional information, photos and video, go to: nighttoshinetexoma.com).
