Ellijay churches are hosting an annual “Night to Shine” event, and are in need of volunteers.
“Night to Shine,” started by the Tim Tebow Foundation, is a movement and celebratory event to honor people with special needs.
Churches around the world are organizing the complimentary “prom,” on Feb. 7, for anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older.
Cartecay Baptist Church and Autumn Ridge Community Church are partnering to throw “Night to Shine.” This is Cartecay Baptist’s sixth year hosting the event that always falls on the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
“It’s an amazing night to watch the folks come out and just have a blast,” Dr. Chad Hall, the pastor at Cartecay Baptist Church, said.
Hall explained that the Tim Tebow Foundation works to add “Night to Shine” events in areas that do not already have a prom for people with special needs.
Woodstock and Blairsville are the closest other locations. Cartecay Baptist tries getting the word out to Gilmer and the surrounding counties, so people with special needs in the area are able to enjoy the night.
Honored guests get to have the full prom experience, from dancing the night away, riding in limos and singing karaoke. Every guest will be crowned King or Queen. There will be a makeup and hair station, a shoe-shining station and corsages and boutonnieres provided.
When asked what his favorite thing about the event is, Hall said, “Watching the honored guests enjoy the night, seeing the smiles on their faces when they come in on the red carpet, and we’ve got the paparazzi out there cheering them on.”
Everyone at the event will be able to enjoy a sit-down, fully catered meal. He expressed that caregivers are welcome to eat and stay for the prom. Heaven Sent Massage of Ellijay will be there to provide free massages for them as well.
“Night to Shine” needs about 100 volunteers for the event to run smoothly, according to Hall. Right now, they have around 20 to 30. Besides people to run the registration table, serve food and help with activities, they mainly need volunteers as “buddies.”
“Each honored guest is paired with a buddy, who stays with them the whole night, and they basically do whatever the guest wants to do,” Hall explained. “Right now, we are probably going to need about 30 to 40 buddies.”
Those interested in volunteering have until Monday, Feb. 3, to sign up. A background check will be performed.
“If you volunteer for [‘Night to Shine’], you will never be the same, it’s amazing,” Hall expressed.
Everyone is invited to dress their best. One of the sponsors, the Faith, Hope and Charity Thrift Store, is even offering attendees that may not be able to afford a prom dress the opportunity to be outfitted in one of theirs.
Thanks to the donations of several community sponsors, the event is completely free. “Night to Shine” will be held next Friday at the Victory Christian Center, located at 208 Victory Circle, from 6 to 9 p.m. It’ll be on the first floor and wheelchair accessible.
To sign up as a guest or volunteer, go to www.cartecaybaptist.com, click the “Night to Shine” link and then the “register” button.