Mid-Ohio Valley ‘Night to Shine’ in need of formal wear donations
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LITTLE HOCKING -- For many people, prom night was a time to party with friends while garbed in formal dresses or tuxedos.
Local residents with special needs will have their own 'night to shine' from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Porterfield Baptist Church in Little Hocking.
But until then, a formal wear donation drive is being held to help the guests dress in gently used gowns and suits. Donations can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sundays until Jan. 9. They can also be dropped off by 10 a.m. Jan. 11, which is the day of the giveaway.
The Mid Ohio Valley Night to Shine is in its second year locally, but it has been held worldwide for the last six years. The event is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and is free of charge.
Larry Ryan, director of special programs for Warren Local Schools, said last year, there were 130 honored guests between the ages of 15 and 90, with more than 350 volunteers.
"The level of support needed for the honored guests vary greatly, but each guest is assigned a buddy to hang out with throughout the evening," Ryan said. "There are limo rides, a red carpet entrance, a crowning ceremony, activities, and of course, the dance floor."
He added that volunteers are needed to be buddies to help with hair, makeup and shoe shines.
Eric Leeson, associate pastor at Porterfield Baptist, said he had never heard of the event before Ryan approached him.
"Larry Ryan approached me through email and I looked into it more," he said. "Our church is really excited to host the event. It's a great opportunity and another way to share the love of Christ with people."
He said the foundation looks to local churches to host the experience.
"There's an application process to be a part of it," Leeson said. "Your first year, they'll help fund it, and each year, they ask that you reduce the amount you seek from them. They kind of set it up to ease the burden to help cover the cost."
He explained that the foundation gives the event coordinators a manual to follow, which instructs them on what they need for leaders and about the sensory room "if there's too much excitement and the guests are overstimulated, they can go in and relax."
Ryan added the special needs of the guests vary greatly, from physical to cognitive to emotional.
"This event allows us to celebrate individuals with special needs as well as provide a respite room where we can provide a meal, activities and fun for the parents or caregivers," he said. "The respite room is one area we are excited to improve upon this second year. We can give the family and caregivers a few hours they can relax, enjoy a meal and be entertained."
Leeson said the guests arrive around 4:30 p.m., when the girls get their hair and makeup done, while the guys get their shoes shined.
"They are actually taken on a limo ride and then dropped back off to a red carpet," Leeson said. "They have their pictures taken like the paparazzi. Then there are a bunch of activities and karaoke to give them things to do."
The guests will have dinner in the church's worship center before Pastor Mark Eaton shares a message.
"The idea of hosting the event came from the special programs department of Warren Local Schools, but the Tim Tebow Foundation requires the 'official' host to be a faith-based organization so we reached out to Porterfield Baptist Church," Ryan said. "PBC was very excited and 100 percent committed from the initial conversation."
Leeson said instead of having one winner during the crowning, everyone receives either a crown or tiara.
"Then they'll go and do more activities and tear down tables to create a dance floor. They will have time to have fun with songs that are clean and tasteful, but also songs they can have fun and dance to," he said.
Before heading home, each guest will have a picture taken with their buddy for the evening.
The event's website states that this past year, on one night, 655 churches from around the world came together to host the Night to Shine for approximately 100,000 honored guests through the support of 200,000 volunteers.
Ryan said formal wear is not required, but the donation drive will allow people to give dresses and suits that the guests may be able to wear.
It wasn't just Porterfield Baptist and Warren Local School District that makes this event happen.
"The Tim Tebow Foundation may provide support through grants, but Porterfield Baptist and more than 20 businesses in the area donated talents and money for the event to offset the costs," Ryan said.
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.
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If You Donate…
* What: Formal wear donation drive
* Where: Porterfield Baptist Church, Little Hocking
* When: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to noon Sundays until Jan. 9
* Why: To provide gently used dresses and suits of all sizes for guests of the Night to Shine
Source: Larry Ryan, director of special programs, Warren Local Schools
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If You Go…
* What: Mid Ohio Valley Night to Shine
* Where: Porterfield Baptist Church, Little Hocking
* When: 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 7
* Cost: Free
Source: Eric Leeson, associate pastor, Porterfield Baptist Church