LAURINBURG — On Feb. 8, hundreds of people will be having the time of their lives across the country and the world — including right here in Scotland County, thanks to a big grant.
The day is chosen for the international “Night to Shine” event put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation. “Night to Shine” began in 2014 to work with churches around the country to provide an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love for people with special needs, ages 14 and older.
In 2018 alone there were 90,000 guests around the globe who attended an event, and more than 700 locations are expected to participate in February.
Locally, 17-year-old Scotland High School senior Ali Andrews is heading up the project because the mission is one that is close to her heart.
“For the past two years I’ve worked with those with special needs on a weekly basis,” Andrews said. “I’ve mainly worked with one student in particular. While I’ve taught him I’m positive that he has taught and inspired me just as much as I have him.”
Andrews is involved in many various organizations and is also a competitive cheerleader. It was at a competition that she heard a mother talking about how her daughter had gotten to attend. The mother said it had been a wonderful event for her daughter and she had felt like a star, but she didn’t have any information on how to host it.
“When I had heard about ’,’Night to Shine the idea of nearly 100 residents of Scotland County getting to experience, even for a night, what I have through my own volunteer work encouraged me to do whatever I needed to do in order to make it happen,” Andrews said, “… to help to create a special night for those with special needs, their families and volunteers alike.”
After her research, she realized all she had to do was recommend her church, First Baptist in Laurinburg, which she did. All of the qualifications were met so she went to talk to her preacher, who loved the idea and opportunity, but told her that she would be the one who would have to put it on. She happily took on the challenge.
Every guest of “Night to Shine” enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors and a dance floor.
To help pay for what is needed for the event, Andrews said they hope to receive a $6,000 grant but it will cost much more to put on the event so she’s asking for the community’s help.
When each guest arrives at the event they are given a buddy to stay with them throughout the night and there will also be a room in the building where guests can go if they get overwhelmed by everything that is going on.
“Something like this is out of the ordinary, people don’t get to experience this on an everyday basis,” Andrews said. “I feel that bringing us all together as a community despite our differences is going to be really beneficial.”
At one point in the night, every guest will be crowned king or queen to make them feel like royalty, which is the whole purpose of the event.
So from 6 t0 9 p.m. on Feb. 8, “Night to Shine” will shine on the lives of those in Scotland County at the Highlands. But to do so, Andrews said she is still looking for volunteers to help out with different parts of the events — ranging from being a buddy to helping serve the food.
“While this event is about throwing the best party ever, the main focus of this is to make sure that volunteers, those with special needs and their families, recognize the love that is in this community for them,” Andrews said. “And that they have a place anywhere in this community, any church in this community that they would like to attend, that they are welcome no matter where they go, no matter who they are, no matter what our differences are.”
There will be an informational meeting for those interested in participating the “Night to Shine” event on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the St. John’s Building, formerly the Highlands, located at 17160 Plant Road, Laurinburg.
For information on the “Night to Shine,” hosted by First Baptist Church, or to volunteer visit the First Baptist Church, Laurinburg Facebook page or send emails to [email protected].
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