Night To Shine Gives Those With Special Needs Time In The Spotlight

CENTRAL: Friday night was one to remember for special needs teens and adults attending Night to Shine at Alive Wesleyan Church. Night to Shine is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and is in its third year. According to the foundation website, it’s an “unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love.”

The goal of the event is to celebrate each attendee and make them feel loved and valued. Local organizer Hannah Covington said the night is free to attendees and they work very hard to make everyone feel like they’re a star complete with red carpet, paparazzi snapping pictures, and crowns for guests.

The event is open to teenagers and up. Covington noted that one guest was in his 80s. It’s not just a night for the guests, but for their caretakers as well, according to Covington. That space features a meal, games, and a chance to meet others.“There is a special respite room for parents and caregivers to receive love and care from a special group of volunteers. This is a great way to love on families that may often feel overwhelmed,” she said.

While Alive Wesleyan hosted the event, Covington is quick to point out that the event really is a community effort. She said they have partnered with the ClemsonLIFE Program, which helps special needs young adults as they attend Clemson University. They have also partnered with area Chick-Fil- A stores and other local businesses.

“We are so thankful for volunteers from all across our community who are excited and committed to serving our special guests,” Covington said. According to Beth Petersen, another of the local organizers, 250 guests attended the event and they had a waiting list for people wanting to attend.

“We wish we could host more people, but we don’t have the room. Hopefully more churches in the area will get involved in future years,” Petersen said. Covington said they had to turn volunteers away as well. She said it was a wonderful problem to have and that the outpouring of love and support was amazing. Volunteers for the event attended training to learn the best way to help the guests. They outnumber guests 2-1, according to Covington.

Candice Godfrey, an occupational therapist in Anderson, volunteered for the second time Friday night. She was a buddy for one of the guests. She said being a buddy keeps the guest safe and gives a peace of mind to the caregivers.

“It’s a wonderful chance to meet these wonderful people and love on them. And I told them to find me a buddy who likes to dance,” she laughed. ClemsonLIFE liaison Chris Egan said Night to Shine is a wonderful opportunity for students of the program and that they look forward to the event all year long.

“They can be celebrated for who they are, and the pure joy that overflows through them because of this experience is contagious,” he said.Two ClemsonLIFE students in attendance Friday were Andrew Whaley, 22, and Joe Granatino, 26. This was the second year for both men to attend Night to Shine.

They said they enjoyed the event because it gave them a chance to spend time with their friends. “I like to dance and just be with the people I like,” Whaley said. “I just enjoyed riding in the limo,” added Granatino.

Last year, Night to Shine honored more than 32,000 kings and queens at more than 200 host churches across the United States and even in other countries. The Tebow Foundation reports that more than 350 churches were signed up for this year’s event, making it the biggest yet.