National event for special needs features, dinner, dancing, and more
Bridgeway Church in Kokomo is rolling out the red carpet, literally, for people with special needs. The church will host the annual Night to Shine on Fri., Feb. 7, in conjunction with hundreds of similar events held around the globe and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
According to Bridgeway’s Next Steps Director Alison Brantley, the return of this event to Kokomo is already generating excitement.
“Night to Shine has not been in Kokomo for several years,” said Brantley. “It's kind of taken a hiatus, and we're excited to bring it back. When it's not in Kokomo, people drive to other cities. This is a good time of the year to do it because there's not a lot going on, and it gives people something to look forward to. So, we're really excited to bring it back.”
While each Night to Shine event is different at every location, the focus of the event is the same: lifting up the special needs community, honoring them and loving them.
“Our church’s heart is for people who may feel left out or less than,” said Bridgeway Pastor Joel Larison. “We believe that in God’s upside-down Kingdom, our friends with special needs are at the head of the table with Jesus. We are excited to create a night where they can shine here in Kokomo the way they already do in the eyes of Heaven.”
Brantley explained that there is a bevy of activities planned for the Night to Shine guests, from the red-carpet entrance to limousine rides to a sensory room and so much more. And it all starts at 6 p.m. on the night of the event.
“During the Night to Shine, our honored guests will be treated to a full buffet meal,” said Brantley. “There'll be a candy buffet, a glam station where they can get glitter, eyeshadow, hair tinsel, corsages and boutonnieres.
“There will be karaoke and a craft station where they’ll make friendship bracelets. There's going to be a limo bus that will be giving rides around the area. And the dance floor is going to be open all night, which is one of my favorite parts!”
Tebow, who originated the event through his foundation, looks forward to the Night to Shine every year, and he makes sure to visit participating locations to join in the fun.
“Night to Shine is my favorite night of the year!” said Tebow. “We get to celebrate so many kings and queens and share how much they are loved by us and by the God of this universe. Our goal is to be able to get to every person with special needs around the world until all are celebrated. No matter what city, no matter what country, no matter where you are, we want Night to Shine to be there.”
At the Kokomo event, every guest will be paired with a “peer buddy” who will guide them through the event, fetching items, refilling drinks, encouraging participation, and ensuring each guest has the best time possible. It also means that the guests’ caregivers can enjoy a break in the respite room, where they will be treated to a special array of food, chair massages, and a quiet space to relax.
The guest list is limited to just 100, and many of those slots have been filled. Brantley estimated that fewer than 25 spaces remain for the event. With so many participating, there is a need for more peer buddies.
“These are great opportunities for high school students who need National Honor Society volunteer hours,” said Brantley. “Or maybe there's a IUK or Ivy Tech team that wants to come and be peer buddies together. That would be amazing!
“It's going to be so much fun, I can't wait. This building is going to be transformed to look magical that night. I'm really excited about it! This amazing evening is literally catered all to them, which is pretty hard to find out in the world if you're an adult or a teenager with special needs. There's always a lot of barriers to overcome. We hope to erase all of those that night.”
Night to Shine at Bridgeway Church is sponsored by Duke Energy, Christy Dechert Realty, Hobson Insurance, The Kokomo Post, and Grissom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Bridgeway Church is located at 1401 E. Hoffer St.
To register an honored guest to attend Night to Shine hosted by Bridgeway Church in Kokomo, visit www.bridgewaykokomo.com/nighttoshine. Spots are limited to 100 guests!
For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, please visit: www.timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine.