From the 2017 Night to Shine Prom/ courtesy Fairview: the Grace Place
FALKVILLE – On Feb. 9, Fairview: the Grace Place in Falkville will host its second annual Night to Shine Special Needs Prom, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Pre-registration for the event is now open.
The Tim Tebow Foundation’s website describes this ministry: “Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On one night, February 9, 2018, more than 500 churches from around the world will come together to host Night to Shine for approximately 90,000 honored guests through the support of 175,000 volunteers!”
Kelli McAnally of Fairview: the Grace Place shared, “Last year was our first time to host the Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine Special Needs Prom. It was a huge success! We had 67 attendees and tons of volunteers. It was a wonderful night for everyone!
“This is a free event for our attendees, people with special needs aged 14 years or older. They are invited to come dressed and ready to meet their date for the evening and then load into the limos for a ride around to the front entrance where our huge crowd of fans and ‘paparazzi’ will cheer them on as they walk the red carpet! At the end of the red carpet they will have a photo op in front of the Night to Shine backdrop, then be ushered into our beauty/shoeshine area for a quick touch up before they are escorted to the prom floor where we have a live DJ, food and a huge dance party! Towards the end of the evening there will be a special video message from Tim Tebow himself, followed by the crowning of every attendee as our prom kings and queens!”
Upon arrival, attendees will be paired with a trained and certified “buddy” who will accompany them for the evening. Food will be served, provided by Chick-fil-A.
The church offered the following information for families and caretakers of attendees:
-Parents/caretakers are free to join their attendee at any time during the event. If your attendee needs assistance using the restroom, we ask that you check in with your attendee throughout the evening.
-This is an actual prom. We will have bright lights and a live DJ. The music will be loud. Please consider earplugs or noise cancelling headphones for your attendee, if needed. Karaoke will be offered in the sanctuary the entire night (This will be quieter and will have normal lighting). We will also have a sensory room available near the respite room.
-Attendees must provide their own prom attire/makeup/etc. If you have no way of providing attire for your attendee, please contact us. We may be able to help! Our beauty shop/shoe shine shop is for touchups. The idea of this is to make them feel special and important! Unfortunately, time does not allow for full makeup for each attendee.
-This event begins at 5 p.m., but late arrivals are perfectly fine! Please do not let being late deter you from attending. If you know you will be arriving late, please call Kelli or Danielle, and we will make sure your buddy is ready for your arrival!
-Our buddies are background checked and attend sensitivity training provided by the Tim Tebow Foundation. If for any reason you need to specify the type of buddy needed for your attendee (woman, man, older, strong, etc.), please note this on your registration form. This will help us tremendously when pairing attendees and buddies.
-Family members are welcome to attend as a guest/spectator to this event. We do ask that you please limit this to four guests.
-We try our best to address everything our attendees may need to make this a night they will never forget! If you have any needs not addressed above, please feel free to contact us!
“The purpose of the evening,” said McAnally, “is to make these precious people with special needs feel like they belong and are just as important as everyone else, that God loves them, and that they matter to Him!”
At a glance
- Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine Special Needs Prom
- Friday, Feb. 9, 5-9 p.m.
- At Fairview: the Grace Place, 4154 Huckaby Bridge Road, Falkville
- For a registration form, visit www.fairviewthegraceplace.com/tim-tebows-night-to-shine.html.
- For more information, call Kelli McAnally at 256-339-8653 or email kellimcanally@gmail.com; or call Danielle Hayes at 256-784-5642 or email hayesldk32@gmail.com.
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