WHAT IS NIGHT TO SHINE?
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. This coming year, on Friday, February 7th, 2025, Night to Shine will celebrate its tenth anniversary as hundreds of churches and volunteers come together to honor thousands of guests with special needs. Our church is so excited to join other churches around the globe in hosting this unforgettable night!
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for Participants and Caregivers
When is Night to Shine?
Night to Shine will take place the evening of February 7, 2025. Honored guests will check-in at Knowledge Perk and meet their buddies who will hang out with them for the night. The guests and buddies will take a short party bus ride to the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center about 3 minutes away. A wheelchair accessible party bus will be available. Caregivers will pick up guests at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. Details will be provided.
Where do honored guests register?
Honored guests can register at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine. Registration opens November 1 and will be on a first come, first serve basis.
What is the cost?
Night to Shine is free for honored guests to attend. The Caregiver Respite Event is also free.
How old do you need to be to attend as an honored guest?
Anyone 14 years of age and older is welcome to attend. There is no upper age limit!
What should the honored guest wear?
We encourage ladies to wear a dress or gown and men to wear a suit or tux. However, this is your night, so dress as you would like as long as it is appropriate attire!
Does the honored guest need a date?
No, we encourage each guest to enjoy the fun with the volunteer buddy we pair you with and friends you meet there. All volunteers are required to complete an application and background check.
Will a meal be served for honored guests?
Yes, a buffet dinner will be provided, and gluten free options are available.
What if the honored guest has allergies?
You will be asked on the registration form about any allergies. The honored guest’s buddy will be made aware of the allergy and help with food choices. If we can’t accommodate your honored guests needs, you will be notified prior to the event and asked to send a meal.
What are the honored guests going to be doing all night?
Tentatively, after check-in, the honored guest will be escorted by their buddy to the glam station where they’ll receive a corsage or boutonniere and an optional hair/makeup refresh or a shoeshine. Then, they make their red-carpet entrance. After that, the DJ will get everyone moving on the dance floor, limo rides begin, and the Karaoke Room will be open. The dinner buffet will be available once they get hungry. For any guest who needs a quieter space or just a short break, we will have a sensory room with calming activities and low lighting available. Medical and security teams will be on site for the duration of the event in case of an emergency.
Who is going to keep the honored guest company all night?
Each honored guest will be matched with an age-appropriate, same-sex buddy to hang out with and do activities with throughout the night.
What if the sounds/activities at the event become overwhelming?
We will offer a Sensory Room where all guests are welcome to come enjoy a quiet and peaceful environment to rest and regroup. Sensory offerings will include soft lighting and calming activities lead by employees of Winthrop University’s Special Education Department. The Sensory Room will be in a separate area of the building to allow for a quiet space.
What if the honored guest needs medication administered or toileting assistance?
Volunteers are not allowed to administer medication or assist with toileting. Parents/caregivers of these guests will need to be on call and close by. See “Can parents attend with honored guests?” for options.
What is the Caregiver Respite Event?
The Caregiver Respite Event is designed specifically to provide a space for parents and caregivers to kick back and have fun while those you care about are having the time of their lives! We’ll have a meal and activities for you to enjoy.
Due to space one parent/caregiver per honored guest is welcome, and registration is required. Use it as personal time or time to connect with other parents and caregivers. We want to honor the incredible parents and caregivers for their lifetime commitment to caring or their loved ones with special needs. Just check the Caregiver Respite Event box on the application if you wish to participate.
Can parents/caregivers attend with the honored guest?
Parents/caregivers are not required to stay, but if they do, there are two ways to participate. They can attend the main event as the guest’s buddy for the night OR take a break at the Caregiver Respite Event. You can note your choice on the registration.
1. If a guest would like for a parent/caregiver to be their buddy, the parent/caregiver must attend our mandatory volunteer training in January AND complete the background check process for the safety of all the honored guests. Please make sure the parent/caregiver checks in with the honored guest.
2. If the parent/caregiver wants to be close by, we’ve planned a meal and night of fun at a nearby location.
*Honored guests who need medication administered or toileting assistance must have a caregiver within 2 minutes of the venue.
Do parents/caregivers have to stay on site for the event?
Staying on site is optional. Parents/caregivers of those who need medication administered or need toileting, are REQUIRED to be within 2 minutes of the venue in case we need them for medication or toileting. The Caregiver Respite Event will be the perfect spot! To hang out! Volunteers are not allowed to administer medication or assist with toileting.
See “Can parents/caregivers attend with honored guests?” for more information about what caregivers can do during the event.
Night to Shine will take place the evening of February 7, 2025. Honored guests will check-in at Knowledge Perk and meet their buddies who will hang out with them for the night. The guests and buddies will take a short party bus ride to the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center about 3 minutes away. A wheelchair accessible party bus will be available. Caregivers will pick up guests at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. Details will be provided.
Where do honored guests register?
Honored guests can register at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine. Registration opens November 1 and will be on a first come, first serve basis.
What is the cost?
Night to Shine is free for honored guests to attend. The Caregiver Respite Event is also free.
How old do you need to be to attend as an honored guest?
Anyone 14 years of age and older is welcome to attend. There is no upper age limit!
What should the honored guest wear?
We encourage ladies to wear a dress or gown and men to wear a suit or tux. However, this is your night, so dress as you would like as long as it is appropriate attire!
Does the honored guest need a date?
No, we encourage each guest to enjoy the fun with the volunteer buddy we pair you with and friends you meet there. All volunteers are required to complete an application and background check.
Will a meal be served for honored guests?
Yes, a buffet dinner will be provided, and gluten free options are available.
What if the honored guest has allergies?
You will be asked on the registration form about any allergies. The honored guest’s buddy will be made aware of the allergy and help with food choices. If we can’t accommodate your honored guests needs, you will be notified prior to the event and asked to send a meal.
What are the honored guests going to be doing all night?
Tentatively, after check-in, the honored guest will be escorted by their buddy to the glam station where they’ll receive a corsage or boutonniere and an optional hair/makeup refresh or a shoeshine. Then, they make their red-carpet entrance. After that, the DJ will get everyone moving on the dance floor, limo rides begin, and the Karaoke Room will be open. The dinner buffet will be available once they get hungry. For any guest who needs a quieter space or just a short break, we will have a sensory room with calming activities and low lighting available. Medical and security teams will be on site for the duration of the event in case of an emergency.
Who is going to keep the honored guest company all night?
Each honored guest will be matched with an age-appropriate, same-sex buddy to hang out with and do activities with throughout the night.
What if the sounds/activities at the event become overwhelming?
We will offer a Sensory Room where all guests are welcome to come enjoy a quiet and peaceful environment to rest and regroup. Sensory offerings will include soft lighting and calming activities lead by employees of Winthrop University’s Special Education Department. The Sensory Room will be in a separate area of the building to allow for a quiet space.
What if the honored guest needs medication administered or toileting assistance?
Volunteers are not allowed to administer medication or assist with toileting. Parents/caregivers of these guests will need to be on call and close by. See “Can parents attend with honored guests?” for options.
What is the Caregiver Respite Event?
The Caregiver Respite Event is designed specifically to provide a space for parents and caregivers to kick back and have fun while those you care about are having the time of their lives! We’ll have a meal and activities for you to enjoy.
Due to space one parent/caregiver per honored guest is welcome, and registration is required. Use it as personal time or time to connect with other parents and caregivers. We want to honor the incredible parents and caregivers for their lifetime commitment to caring or their loved ones with special needs. Just check the Caregiver Respite Event box on the application if you wish to participate.
Can parents/caregivers attend with the honored guest?
Parents/caregivers are not required to stay, but if they do, there are two ways to participate. They can attend the main event as the guest’s buddy for the night OR take a break at the Caregiver Respite Event. You can note your choice on the registration.
1. If a guest would like for a parent/caregiver to be their buddy, the parent/caregiver must attend our mandatory volunteer training in January AND complete the background check process for the safety of all the honored guests. Please make sure the parent/caregiver checks in with the honored guest.
2. If the parent/caregiver wants to be close by, we’ve planned a meal and night of fun at a nearby location.
*Honored guests who need medication administered or toileting assistance must have a caregiver within 2 minutes of the venue.
Do parents/caregivers have to stay on site for the event?
Staying on site is optional. Parents/caregivers of those who need medication administered or need toileting, are REQUIRED to be within 2 minutes of the venue in case we need them for medication or toileting. The Caregiver Respite Event will be the perfect spot! To hang out! Volunteers are not allowed to administer medication or assist with toileting.
See “Can parents/caregivers attend with honored guests?” for more information about what caregivers can do during the event.
FAQs for Volunteers
How do I apply to volunteer at Night to Shine?
Volunteers can apply by clicking on the Volunteer Application button at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine. The application opens November 1 and will close January 7 or once we have filled all available positions.
Who can apply to volunteer at Night to Shine?
Anyone 16 years of age and older by February 7, 2025, can apply to volunteer. Volunteers will be selected based on event areas of need and volunteer skills/experience.
All volunteers 18 year of age and older who are selected will require a background check. All volunteers 16 and 17 years old by February 7, 2025, will need a permission slip signed by a parent. No walk-up volunteers are permitted the night of the event for safety and security. Volunteers will be selected by January 14, 2025.
What kinds of volunteer positions are needed, and will I get to pick?
Volunteers can select the positions they are interested in on the application. See description of volunteer positions by clicking on the Volunteer Application button.
Do volunteers have to come to a training beforehand?
Yes, all volunteers are required to attend a mandatory volunteer training in January. Date to be determined.
What time do I have to be there on event night?
All volunteers and buddies will need to tentatively arrive at 3:45 pm for a volunteer orientation. The tentative event time is 5:30-9:00 pm. All volunteers are required to help clean up after the event. You will see your team leader for clean-up duties.
What do I need to wear?
BUDDIES: Buddies will need to dress up. For males, a tux is not required but welcomed. A suit and tie or dress pants and a jacket would be fine as well. For females, please wear a dress. You can do something as fancy as sequins or go with something simpler.
ALL OTHER VOLUNTEERS: A required volunteer t-shirt will be provided. Please wear pants with no holes or rips. You can tie your t-shirt up, but no midriffs can be showing.
Will a meal be provided for volunteers?
If you are a buddy, you will eat the buffet dinner with your honored guest during the event. All other volunteers will be provided a light meal before the event begins.
Volunteers can apply by clicking on the Volunteer Application button at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine. The application opens November 1 and will close January 7 or once we have filled all available positions.
Who can apply to volunteer at Night to Shine?
Anyone 16 years of age and older by February 7, 2025, can apply to volunteer. Volunteers will be selected based on event areas of need and volunteer skills/experience.
All volunteers 18 year of age and older who are selected will require a background check. All volunteers 16 and 17 years old by February 7, 2025, will need a permission slip signed by a parent. No walk-up volunteers are permitted the night of the event for safety and security. Volunteers will be selected by January 14, 2025.
What kinds of volunteer positions are needed, and will I get to pick?
Volunteers can select the positions they are interested in on the application. See description of volunteer positions by clicking on the Volunteer Application button.
Do volunteers have to come to a training beforehand?
Yes, all volunteers are required to attend a mandatory volunteer training in January. Date to be determined.
What time do I have to be there on event night?
All volunteers and buddies will need to tentatively arrive at 3:45 pm for a volunteer orientation. The tentative event time is 5:30-9:00 pm. All volunteers are required to help clean up after the event. You will see your team leader for clean-up duties.
What do I need to wear?
BUDDIES: Buddies will need to dress up. For males, a tux is not required but welcomed. A suit and tie or dress pants and a jacket would be fine as well. For females, please wear a dress. You can do something as fancy as sequins or go with something simpler.
ALL OTHER VOLUNTEERS: A required volunteer t-shirt will be provided. Please wear pants with no holes or rips. You can tie your t-shirt up, but no midriffs can be showing.
Will a meal be provided for volunteers?
If you are a buddy, you will eat the buffet dinner with your honored guest during the event. All other volunteers will be provided a light meal before the event begins.
FAQs for Donors
Does the Tim Tebow Foundation Fund the event?
The host church funds the event. The Tim Tebow Foundation provides the opportunity for first year churches to apply for a $6,500 grant.
How many people attend the event?
For our 2025 event, we plan to host 100 honored guests, 100 caregivers, and 200 community volunteers.
How will donated funds be used?
The Tim Tebow Foundation has many requirements for a host church to meet. Here is a list of some of those requirements donated funds will help our church cover.
• Venue: Our church does not have adequate space to host an event of this size. We are renting a venue along with tables, chairs, and other necessities
• Safety: background checks for volunteers, police presence, check-in/check-out system
• Activities: DJ and dance floor, red carpet moment, karaoke room, limo rides, dinner, hair and make-up, shoeshine station, crowning moment, caregiver room with dinner and entertainment
• Other requirements: sensory room if someone needs a break, decorations in line with branding package, boutonnieres and corsages, professional photography and videography
Will my donation be tax deductible?
Yes. For a monetary gift, Impact Church will send a giving statement for all gifts during the tax year given toward Night to Shine. For donations of noncash items, Impact Church will send a letter with a description of the donated items for your tax records.
Receipts for monetary and noncash gifts given in 2024 will be sent by January 31, 2025. Night to Shine monetary and noncash gifts given from January 1 – February 7, 2025, will be sent a receipt by March 15, 2025. Please be sure to provide us with your mailing address or email address on the giving page to ensure the receipt is received in a timely manner.
Will my business be recognized for donating?
Yes, a range of giving amounts will receive various benefits. Click the Donation button for more info.
How do I donate to Night to Shine?
Click the Donation button at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine.
The host church funds the event. The Tim Tebow Foundation provides the opportunity for first year churches to apply for a $6,500 grant.
How many people attend the event?
For our 2025 event, we plan to host 100 honored guests, 100 caregivers, and 200 community volunteers.
How will donated funds be used?
The Tim Tebow Foundation has many requirements for a host church to meet. Here is a list of some of those requirements donated funds will help our church cover.
• Venue: Our church does not have adequate space to host an event of this size. We are renting a venue along with tables, chairs, and other necessities
• Safety: background checks for volunteers, police presence, check-in/check-out system
• Activities: DJ and dance floor, red carpet moment, karaoke room, limo rides, dinner, hair and make-up, shoeshine station, crowning moment, caregiver room with dinner and entertainment
• Other requirements: sensory room if someone needs a break, decorations in line with branding package, boutonnieres and corsages, professional photography and videography
Will my donation be tax deductible?
Yes. For a monetary gift, Impact Church will send a giving statement for all gifts during the tax year given toward Night to Shine. For donations of noncash items, Impact Church will send a letter with a description of the donated items for your tax records.
Receipts for monetary and noncash gifts given in 2024 will be sent by January 31, 2025. Night to Shine monetary and noncash gifts given from January 1 – February 7, 2025, will be sent a receipt by March 15, 2025. Please be sure to provide us with your mailing address or email address on the giving page to ensure the receipt is received in a timely manner.
Will my business be recognized for donating?
Yes, a range of giving amounts will receive various benefits. Click the Donation button for more info.
How do I donate to Night to Shine?
Click the Donation button at www.impactmycity.org/nighttoshine.