More than 80 VIPs and their guests attend the third annual Night to Shine prom-style event for special needs individuals at Link Church on Friday evening. The night included limo rides, a fully-catered dinner and, of course, dancing.--NEWS PHOTOS BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Under the spotlight and surrounded by hundreds of cheering fans, members of the city’s special needs community attended a lavish affair last Friday evening that included a red-carpet introduction, limo ride and dance.
More than 80 VIPs were invited to attend the third annual Night to Shine prom-style event that is organized by a team of volunteers, teachers, Special Olympics members and community support groups, with a goal to ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging in the community.
“They can be with people that they associate well and easily with in an atmosphere that is totally accommodating to whatever their needs are,” said co-organizer Cadice Meyer. “So they can have the best experience possible.”
Well-dressed VIPs arrived at the event with their buddies, who are their caretaker or family member, and were crowned before walking down the red carpet, surrounded by hundreds of cheering friends, family members and volunteers.
Meyer told the News that the event team and volunteers worked to create an energetic and lively atmosphere that welcomed all its VIP guests and put them under the spotlight for one special evening.
“It’s so important that we make them feel special, because this is their night to shine.”
Following the picturesque red-carpet experience, VIPs and their guests were treated to free limo rides outside the facility, as well as a fully catered meal, games, karaoke, photo booth and dance.
“We are just trying to love on and shine a light and let them know that they are so important in our city, and so that’s why we’ve had so many people from all different walks of life and careers wanting to be a part of this.”
The large-scale dinner and dance was held at the Link Christian Fellowship Church, and requires the generosity of several community businesses sponsors and non-profit organizations to create a memorable evening for its guests the week before Valentine’s Day is celebrated.
“A lot of them do it because they love being a part of this,” says Meyer. “Seeing the excitement and the happiness on all of their faces and just connecting in such a wholesome way, it’s this light.
“That’s the reaction that we all get, all of us feel the same way. We all get teary eyed. Even when we feel like, ‘OK I’m exhausted,’ you still can’t help but push just that little bit more.”
Meyer says since starting the prom-night event in 2023 the attendance of VIPs and guests has doubled.
VIPs were also given swag bags that were provided by sponsors, and their guests also received small gifts and thank-you cards.
“We’ve also had our sponsors contribute toward thank-you cards and gifts for the buddies, too, to appreciate the fact that they took time out tonight to be part of this.”
The organizing committee hopes to include more VIP guests at next year’s upscale function, and is working with city officials, schools and local non-profits to spread the word about the event.
