Prom night: Tomoka Christian Church hosts sixth annual Night to Shine

There were around 654 sites that hosted a Night to Shine event this year, with only two of them taking place in Volusia County.

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Tomoka Christian Church held its sixth annual Night to Shine event on Friday, Feb. 10th. 

Night to Shine is sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation and happens globally every year. This prom is for people with special needs 14 and up.

“It’s to give recognition and honor to people that often get shoved aside,” Lead Pastor Joe Putting said. “It’s people of all ages, all special needs and it’s just a chance to love on those people.”

After weeks of planning and setting up, the big night event included a dance floor, buffets, candy bars, donut walls, balloon animals, professional photos, a red-carpet entrance, gifts, the crowning of kings and queens, along with a balloon drop and fireworks. There was also a parent and caregiver room that had a buffet, live music, hair stylists, massages and nail stylists.

“We want this to not just be a one-time event, we want them to see that Tomoka cares and we’re here for the long haul,” said Christina Moore, event coordinator and benevolence director at Tomoka Christian Church.

The event encourages participating Night to Shine sites to go out into their communities to encourage donations to help make the prom possible.

“When you pour into your community, and you include them and not just ask them, it changes their perception of what you’re doing,” Moore said.

There were around 654 sites that hosted a Night to Shine event this year, with only two of them taking place in Volusia County. Volusia usually has nine different sites, making it more accessible for people in different areas. Due to them only having two this year locally, Tomoka Christian Church was close to its maximum capacity. With over 500 volunteers and 250 guests, it was a full house.

“We not only market what we do here at the church, but also our love for special needs and how they are just a community of people that are underserved, because people don’t know how to interact for them and with them and sometimes, they feel the burden of their needs is not easily available for them," Moore said.

 

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