ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The month of February means that prom season is around the corner for individuals with disabilities who will gather for the “Night to Shine” on Feb. 13.
Held for the second year at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center, the dance is sponsored by Impact Church, with the assistance from Winthrop University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, WinthropLIFE and special education programs.
Invited to the dance are individuals with disabilities age 14+. Attendees will include high school and college students, and community members who will have the chance to dress up for a special evening, said Patricia Arter, chair of Winthrop’s Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Educational Studies and professor of special education.
Participants will be paired with “buddies” and are provided limo rides, hair and make-up services or shoeshines, corsages and boutonnieres, a red-carpet experience complete with paparazzi, dinner, dancing and karaoke. In addition, parents and caretakers will be provided with a fun evening of respite at Knowledge Perk, she said.
Volunteers Help Make the Night Special
“Night to Shine” is a project of the Tim Tebow Foundation and is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year as its church partners around the world offer an unforgettable night for those with special needs.
Among those participating as volunteers are members of the Winthrop women’s soccer and lacrosse teams, Winthrop Teaching Fellows and education majors, members of Pi Kappa Phi, faculty and staff members.
Associate Dean Erin Hamel will volunteer as a buddy for the second year. “The joy everyone experiences at Night to Shine – with or without special needs - is truly remarkable,” Hamel said. “It is a beautiful reflection of love and inspiration.”
Planning started two years ago when Amy Brinkley, connections and outreach director at Impact Church, applied and was awarded the right to sponsor the event, as well as a $6,500 grant. Churches participating for the second year are eligible to apply for a $4,000 grant.
“Impact Church members are honored to share the love of Jesus with people who have special needs and are excited to celebrate their worth and value as we are all created in God’s image,” Brinkley said. “Our hope is to provide a night of dancing and fun for our honored guests and relaxation for their caregivers.”
Nearly 100 guests, 100 parents and more than 300 volunteers will participate in the event from Impact Church and the community.
Among those assisting are WinthropLIFE Program Director Ryan Morrison ’13 and LIFE staff member Lindsay Starnes, special education faculty members Arter and April Mustian and special education majors Jasmine Washington and Emily Ellis who provided training and expertise for a sensory room. Among those volunteering are Education Dean Beth Costner, Associate Professor Sherry Hoyle, Provost Sebastian van Delden and his wife, Beth.
For more information, contact Patricia Arter at arterp@winthrop.edu or Amy Brinkley at abrinkley@impactmycity.org.
