Page 64 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2016

GIVING BACK special needs prom
PROM EXPERIENCE
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Tim Tebow Foundation
Many of us know of Tim Tebow as an American sports icon through his professional careers in football and baseball, but Tebow is just as dedicated to his mission off the field. Since 2010, Tebow has been actively involved in uplifting and ministering to those in need through his Tim Tebow Foundation.
“This foundation and all of our outreach initiatives were created to show God’s love to children around the world,” said Tebow through the foundation’s website. “From a very early age, my parents instilled in me the importance of God’s word, the salvation we have in His Son Jesus and the responsibility we have to give back to others.”
With Tebow’s words in mind, the Foundation operates with the mission of bringing Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.
One of the Foundation’s biggest events, Night to Shine, offers an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. This past year’s event provided 32,000 honored guests in 48 states and seven countries with the evening of a lifetime. Each guest is given the royal treatment and arrives to a red carpet
experience, complete with hair and makeup stations as well as friendly paparazzi.
Through their sponsorship, the
Tim Tebow Foundation provides
host churches around the globe with financial support, guidance and a prom kit including decorations and gifts for the attendees. This year, Woolmarket Baptist Church has been accepted into the program, making it the Gulf Coast’s only participant.
“We don’t have anything like this on the Coast,” said Adrian Holland, who is coordinating Woolmarket Baptist Church’s event. “The community of those with special needs is so large, and I realize that without an event like this, teens in our area may not have the opportunity to experience prom.”
Night to Shine will be held on February 10, and registration is currently open with availability for 100 guests of honor to attend.
Interested participants can register for the event online at www.nighttoshinewbc.com. For additional information on Night to Shine, or to volunteer or donate to the event, please contact Adrian Holland at
228.697.2976 or nighttoshinewbc2017@gmail.com.
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