Night to Shine presented by the Tim Tebow Foundation hosted by Life Community Church celebrated all abilities at the Owensboro Convention Center Friday night.
Kerri Booker, one of the event coordinators, views this year as a great success as full capacity was met prior to the event.
“We have 200 guests, 350 volunteers, roughly 150 caregivers and parents- a lot of people, it was a big night,” Booker said.
A new addition this year was an expanded karaoke room. Booker said the guests have enjoyed karaoke so much in the past, that this year they decided to double the stage.
Also added was a live feed from the dance floor to the respite room so parents and caregivers could watch their loved ones out on the dance floor.
“Every guest can have two parents or caregivers invited to attend and spend time in the respite room,” she said. “There is food and even live music for them. They can enjoy the live feed of prom without actually having to be in that room.”
Booker’s husband Nathan called out each attendant’s name as they walked the red carpet, also a new aspect of this year’s Night to Shine. Prior to the event, Booker said she was excited to see how each person would react.
This is the event’s fourth year, and Booker has been involved since the beginning. When she volunteered at another event five years ago outside Louisville, she came back to Owensboro and told her pastor they needed this event here. Michelle Miller was also on that trip, never realizing at the time what an amazing impact the event would have on her own community.
“I loved seeing all the smiling faces as we share the love of Jesus,” Miller said. “I always look forward to the end of the night when everyone is leaving, hearing them say what their favorite part of the night was. We enjoy standing by the door and asking them if they had a good time. Hearing what they loved about the night is my favorite part.”
Since the first year, community support has grown significantly. Applying for the grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation was an early step. Although grant money from the foundation decreases each year, the community support has continued to increase.
This year, the event was largely funded locally through sponsors. Volunteer support has continued to grow as well.
“We reach out to our life groups and bible study groups at church- that’s the core group that helps us come and volunteer and set up. Other churches do the same thing,” Miller said.
First-time attendee Brian Roberts volunteered at Night to Shine with his wife, his teenage daughter and a young man that he mentors. He was impressed with the enjoyment of giving back and all that went into making the night a success.
“It’s amazing to see so much laughter and smiles and watch the community come together for such a special group of people,” Roberts said.
