Love. It’s associated with hearts, flowers and February, and for most people, love is linked to romance.
For the last three years, the Tim Tebow Foundation has used this month to share a different kind of love through Night to Shine.
Night to Shine is a prom for individuals 14 and older who have special needs, and last Friday night, First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland opened its doors to host this event for the second time.
The honored guests pick their outfits, get their hair and make up done, ride in limousines, take pictures and dance the rest of the night away.
From local congregation members to those who drove almost an hour to serve, volunteers came to participate for this one night. A few, though, were just a couple of blocks away.
“We all got involved because you know, we all love prom and thought it wasa cute idea,” FSC women’s lacrosse player Taylor Gillis said.
Gillis was not the only lax player to volunteer as her entire team was there helping alongside her.
“Our team is kind of all or nothing,” teammate Dani Bursinger said. “If one person’s on board we are too.”
The team served food to both the guests and their guardians who stayed in a back room and watched the prom on a monitor.
Gillis said it was great to serve the guests’ guardians since they were also giving their time to be at the event.
Other Florida Southern students, such as Chase Hoyt and Luis Rivera, also came to serve wherever help was needed.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one in five people have a disability. However, the disabled community is arguably one of the more neglected groups in the United States.
In a statement, Hillary Clinton said those with disabilities have half the employment as abled-bodied workers but double the poverty rate.
In a time where it seems like politicians or the average population does not appreciate these individuals, Night to Shine strives to show the community that there is a place where they will be loved and welcomed.
“I think it’s important to have these types of events,” Hoyt said. “We have to understand that they’re no different from us. This event shows it.”
The Tim Tebow Foundation stated they wanted to provide a night where people with special needs can feel valued.
Love. When most people hear the word, they think of romance, but this Valentine’s Day weekend, FPC and the Tim Tebow Foundation showed love to a group who doesn’t experience it as often. It was a night of smiles where individuals were valued for who they were, instead of ignored for what they have.
Related:
Get involved with Night to Shine
Interacting with those with special needs