Night to Shine is a global prom-like event created for teens and adults with special needs. This annual party is organized by the Tim Tebow Foundation, which seeks to serve marginalized populations, and takes place at hundreds of locations across the world. Here in the Bay Area, there are four local events: Danville, Pleasanton, Fremont and Los Altos.
Bridges Community Church Los Altos Volunteer coordinator Carrie Miller helps arrange the parish’s annual Night to Shine, which takes place every Friday prior to Valentine’s Day. This year, it will be held on February 13th.
Individuals with disabilities are called honored guests for the night.
“We have honored guests who come, ranging from the age of 16 up. So we have individuals who are teens in their 20s, 30s, 40s, even 50s who attend this prom-style event, said Miller.”
It is the church’s third year hosting the event, with an expectation of about 250 honored guests attending this year’s dance.
Miller encourages students 16 or older to sign up as a “buddy” who will be responsible throughout the night for an honored guest. A buddy can be prepared to dance with their guest, interact with special needs individuals and hang out with them for the night. Those who are not 16 can help the adults with setup, food or managing the red carpet.
“There’s a training you go through to kind of learn how to interact with people with special needs, whether it’s intellectual special needs, or physical specialties, individuals in wheelchairs, or walkers, or things like that,” said Miller.
Last year, Miller’s favorite memory was a karaoke machine, where guests could sing and dance.
“[The karaoke area] is one of my favorite places to hang out, because you have honor guests who might have communication barriers, or might just be a little bit shy and unsure. And yet, you see these kids, and these honor guests step out and shine when they’re in the spotlight, and everyone’s up there cheering for them>”
There is no fee for honored guests, and parents are invited to join or eat next door through a parish-sponsored dinner.
