Third-annual Night to Shine event

WASHINGTON - The KC Hall was decorated in blue lights and a red carpet was rolled out in front to welcome in guests for the third-annual Night to Shine event Saturday night.

Ann Williams, coordinator for the event, said the dance that catered to special needs adults was sponsored by the Washington United Methodist Church and support from area churches. The prom is a national event sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation with a mission of honoring guests with special needs, according to the Tim Tebow Foundation website.

The dance itself has been going on for six years but on Friday night, the third annual dance was held in Washington.

Williams said the church usually did a dinner and dance for adults with disabilities. A friend of hers told her about the Tim Tebow foundation and she looked into it.

Her passion for helping adults with disabilities stems from childhood experiences, she said.

'I had an aunt that was severely disabled at birth so I'd always grown up with a passion for folks with disabilities and I think the message Tim Tebow sends is an incredible one,” she said.

To begin the night, guests check their coats at the door and check in. As their names are announced they walk the red carpet while a group of people waiting at the end greets them, she said.

Every participant is required to bring a buddy who they meet at the end of the carpet. A flower is given to everyone and a professional photo is taken.

One of the spare rooms was set up for hair, make up and shoe shine, if needed. Face painting and a balloon artist was available followed by a video from the foundation and the crowning ceremony.

'Everyone gets crowned king or queen and it's a very big deal,” she said.

This year 314 people participated in the event between guests, buddies and volunteers. Kitchen staff, wait staff and even limo drivers were available that night.

Kurt Levetzow participated for the first time this year as an assistant limo driver. Having lived in Washington for 20 years, this is home for him and jumped at the opportunity to help out Saturday night.

'This is an awesome opportunity to help out and to see the community come together like this,” he said.

Community support was the theme of the night, Williams said. The success of the event is based on volunteers showing special needs members of the community how important they are, she said.

'They need to know how special they are that they are loved. As Tim always says, God wants them to know that they are loved and it's good for our community because (it) will reach out with open arms to folks with disabilities,” she said.