The Tim Tebow Foundation introduced “Night to Shine” in 2015 to celebrate persons with special needs and give dignity to people who are often overlooked. Since then, the event has occurred annually, even during Covid when events were held virtually or as ‘drive-through’ experiences.
This year, the event returned to in-person events at over 600 locations worldwide. Thousands of honored guests prepared to dance the night away at this complimentary event.
Get Ready!
Twenty-three St. Louis Center residents were excited to attend Night to Shine on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 2|42 Community Church Ann Arbor campus.
In preparation, the ladies enjoyed a bit of pampering in the comfort of Mike’s House on the St. Louis Center campus. Rose Lawrence of In-Chelsea Hair Design volunteered her time and products to style each lady’s hair for the event. Rose’s daughter-in-law Samantha came along to help paint fingernails. Summer Reed and Kaycie Hill-Cassibo of the Center’s social services department also joined the fun. Laura Rayer, the Center’s activities Coordinator, was on hand to assist with nails too. Kaycie painted nails and Summer was the make-up artist. With all this help, the ladies were ready before the guys.
Let’s Go!
As everyone arrived at the church, they were adorned with a corsage or boutonniere, and a tiara or crown.
Once each guest was ready, they were announced as king or queen and made their way down the red carpet and into the event space.
After all of the honored guests arrived, the pastor welcomed everyone and blessed the event, and most especially the dinner which was prepared by Smokehouse 52 BBQ. Volunteers served each honored guest and their chaperones. Once everyone had eaten, it was time to dance.
And dance they did!!! The DJs did a superb job keeping everyone on the dance floor. Even the St. Louis Center staff was on the dance floor making sure that the residents were having a great time.
It was Lenard’s birthday that day and the DJ led the entire crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.
Everyone had such a great time that they did not want to leave. They are already looking forward to Night to Shine 2024.
Click here for more photos from this event!
This article appears in the Spring 2023 issue of St. Louis Spirit newsletter.
You can read it online or download the issue in its entirety here.
Highlights from the Winter 2023 Issue of St. Louis Spirit
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