Volunteers sought to assist in something special

For a decade Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine Foundation has provided a prom night experience for those with special needs.

Holmes County is entering just its second year of hosting an event, but what an impression the first effort presented last year — with decorations, the red-carpet treatment, a dance, plenty of food and games, and loads of interaction between attendees, their buddies and a host of volunteers.

Holmes County Night to Shine will take place Friday, Feb. 9 at Grace Church in Berlin, which has again united with Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities to host the event.

The event will be from 6-8:30 p.m., and from the moment attendees step out onto the red carpet, they are treated like prom royalty, with each participant taking their turn being crowned king or queen.

This year’s event is right around the corner, and in order to make it a smashing success once again, plenty of volunteers are needed to fulfill many different tasks throughout the night.

According to Kim Miller, organizer for Holmes County Night to Shine, the volunteers are the backbone of the evening.

“We were so excited to be able to host an event in our county, and it was well worth the wait,” Miller said.

While they already have 100 volunteers signed up, there remains a need for many more to fill all of the positions, with more than 200 making last year’s event a success.

“It’s a massive undertaking, but our community is incredible in its efforts to get behind this night,” Miller said. “The word of mouth and buzz heading into our second year has been awesome, and for our people here who attend, it is something that they talk about all year. It’s their night, it’s all about them and all of the spotlights are on creating something special and memorable for them.”

The evening is filled with pizzazz and happiness, and more than a few people shed some tears watching the attendees light up upon arrival as they walked the red carpet.

While the attendees and their buddies bask in the glow of the evening, partaking in games, dancing and dining, the parents are invited to stay and enjoy a catered meal in the respite room, where they can watch the proceedings on live TV and listen to a livestreaming satellite feed from Tim Tebow as he describes the love, passion and joy that goes into the event.

Another positive, according to Miller, is the evening is a judgment-free zone where everyone can come out of their shell, relax and enjoy the festivities.

“Everyone is excited for them,” Miller said. “What’s nice for the parents is that they can have discussions with other people who have walked in their shoes. Those with younger kids can reach out to parents of older individuals to learn from them what they did for their child at different stages of life. It’s just a terrific evening as a whole for everyone.”

Jessica Martell, who is coleading the event with Miller, said there is already excitement building around this night, and the evening, themed “Night Under the Stars,” should be even bigger than last year as individuals already are talking about their dresses, makeup and how much they are looking forward to it.

“Kim has done an amazing job with year one, and we started discussing plans and ways we could improve it just about right after last year’s event was over,” Martell said. “This is the crowning moment for our attendees, and we want to make it as special as we possibly can for all who attend.”

Volunteer roles include being a buddy, cheering on the red carpet, heading up the karaoke, coat checks, helping attendees out of the limousine, shoe shiners, food service, aide in the respite room for parents, and setting up and tearing down.

Becoming a volunteer requires registering for a background check for those age 18 and above. That includes an $8 fee, but Miller said that is a small price to pay for the joy volunteers receive in return. For volunteers age 14-17, a background check is not required, nor is one required to set up and tear down prior to or after the event when attendees are not there.

“Tim Tebow’s heart and passion make this special, but so too do all of our volunteers who step up and help make this an evening to remember forever,” Miller said.

For those with questions or those who don’t have access to register online, the HCBDD does have paper registrations that can be obtained by calling Miller at 330-674-8045 or Erin Seward at Grace Church at 330-893-3110.

For more information and to register to volunteer as either an individual or as a group, visit www.nighttoshinehc.org. Registration there is for both guests and volunteers.

Donations to help fund the event also are being accepted. Those donations can be sent with the designation “Night to Shine Holmes County” on the envelope or check and sent to Grace Church, 5850 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH 44654.