Night to Shine invites volunteers to assist at annual event

A very special evening is quickly approaching, and the community has a chance to be part of making it a memorable night for individuals with special needs.

The third annual Holmes County Night to Shine will take place Friday, Feb. 7 at Grace Church in Berlin, and before the limousine pulls up to the red carpet and each attendee is treated like a superstar and crowned king or queen by nights end, there is much work to do.

Night to Shine was created by former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow as a way to create a memorable prom night for individuals with special needs.

It is a national event, and Holmes County has been honored to host it the prior two years.

As preparations continue for the big night, organizers are seeking volunteers to fill some key roles, and because of the magnitude of the event, there are many roles to fill, from red carpet greeters and helping with karaoke to operating games, helping serve food or host the dance, being a buddy and more.

“Our volunteers are what truly makes this special for our guests,” Holmes County Night to Shine organizer Kim Miller said. “It’s a really neat opportunity to share in a very memorable night that is highly anticipated by our guests.”

Being a buddy for each guest and spending the evening with them is one of the most important and gratifying volunteer roles.

“It’s been neat to see the buddies build a bond with their guest,” Miller said. “They may not know their buddy very well, but by the end of the night, they are so close, and getting to see the excitement their guest is having is special.”

Tina Detweiler served as a buddy last year and said it was most gratifying, not only because it helped bring joy to her attendee Sedric, but also because of the way it brightened her life.

“Just spending time with Sedric was a blast,” Detweiler said. “Now I’m trying to get more people involved. I was a little intimidated going up front in front of everyone, but everyone was so willing to help wherever I needed it, and it turned out it was a lot easier than I thought.”

She said getting to know the parents of Sedric and learning more about him through them only enhanced the experience.

Callie Cline also has served as a buddy and jumped at the chance to return this year.

She and her buddy Aaron hit it off, and she has been his buddy the past two years.

“Aaron is the life of the party,” Cline said. “It is so rewarding I can’t even describe the joy it brings to me seeing him and all of the attendees having so much fun.”

Cline said everyone should give being a buddy a try, and if that isn’t their cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to volunteer.

Cline, a recent graduate of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, had six of her speech therapy classmates from MVNU join her two years ago. She said they are already asking her how they can come back and help this year.

Miller said those who volunteer have said this event is heartwarming and memorable because of the joy it creates for the guests, who come from not just Holmes County, but also surrounding areas.

Guests and volunteers may register for this free event by visiting www.nighttoshinehc.org, where they can fill out a short registration to volunteer or attend, and there will be choices listed for a variety of volunteer opportunities.