For many, prom is a rite of passage and a true celebration of youth. There’s the dress (or flashy tuxedo), the dancing, the decorations, the pictures, the food, the after-parties, and, most importantly, the memories. And sadly, there can be a population who, year after year, misses out on what some would argue is the most significant social event of a young person’s life.
Together with The Tim Tebow Foundation, a Christian-centered global community founded by professional athlete, Tim Tebow, Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church is taking steps to ensure everyone experiences prom. Now in its second year as a “host church,” Royal Redeemer organized a “Night to Shine” prom event for people with special needs. The annual foundation event is held simultaneously around the world on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, which occurred this year on Feb. 9. More than 540 churches from around the globe hosted their local “Night to Shine” prom events with an estimated 90,000 total guests and 175,000 volunteers, according to timtebowfoundation.org.
Royal Redeemer parishioner and founder of the church’s “Friends of Jesus” ministry serving those with special needs, Lynn Ebner, orchestrated the local event held at the Holiday Inn Strongsville where almost 200 people with special needs danced, dined and partied the night away alongside their companion “Buddies,” comprised of volunteers from the church community. Attendees enjoyed a truly phenomenal event complete with a beauty room for hair and nail services and rooms dedicated to shoe shines and karaoke. A red carpet greeted attendees as they entered the hotel surrounded by applause, checked in, and took their seats in the beautifully decorated ballroom. Guests had the opportunity to pose for a professional portrait, which they later received in a take-home frame, along with a gift bag. Each guest also received a crown or tiara to commemorate the evening and viewed a video message from Tim Tebow, who traverses the globe every Friday before Valentine’s Day visiting local “Night to Shine” events. Caregivers were given five-star service as well, with dinner, a movie, and access to the hotel pool and lounge. A “Night to Shine” didn’t only welcome teens with special needs, but older adults as well.
“We do this to demonstrate God’s Love as we care for those who may not have had a chance to feel the joy of attending a school prom,” said Royal Redeemer Care Ministry Pastor Dave Timm. “This is an evening to celebrate these special individuals and a God who loves them unconditionally. It’s a night filled with smiles and tears of joy.”
Nearly every aspect of “Night to Shine” is a donated or deeply discounted service, representing vendors like Lake Erie Limo, Sundance Day Spa & Salon, the No Name Band comprised of Cleveland-area lawyers, flowers by florist Ada Ahrens, LEDSignz.com, Strongsville Police Department, University Hospitals, and Holiday Inn Strongsville.
Churches must apply for the honor of hosting a “Night to Shine” prom and if approved, receive foundation dollars to assist in the production of their local event. Last year’s inaugural Royal Redeemer event received the aid of $8,000 from The Tim Tebow Foundation, and this year’s award dollars totaled $5,000, Ebner said. The foundation also gives its host churches decorative logoed boards, banners and attendee gift bags containing commemorative cups and wristbands.
The “Night to Shine” application process includes the submission of church financials, ministry work demonstrating service to those with special needs, and letters of recommendation. Churches must reapply each year for the honor of hosting a “Night to Shine” prom.
“To see this event get brought to life means more to me than I can even explain,” Ebner said. “Just to see our guests’ faces light up and to see them smile and enjoy the evening is overwhelming.”
Royal Redeemer isn’t new to hosting prom-style events, as it once organized a prom for those with special needs just before learning about the global “Night to Shine” opportunity. The church, located at 11680 Royalton Road, offers a Sunday morning worship service at 11:30 a.m. for those with special needs and houses a “Friends of Jesus” ministry welcoming persons at all levels of ability. Ebner, who formerly worked for NCC Solutions, Inc., a provider of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said those with special needs love to be involved in the greater community, but many times they’re not unless someone advocates for them.
As “Night to Shine” attendees danced and enjoyed the evening’s festivities; parents and caregivers took time to greet one another and share in the joy of the event.
Parents Karen and Tony D’Orazio of Strongsville enjoyed time in the hotel lounge alongside friends Leslie and Christopher Anderson. Their sons attended the event.
“For me, it’s just knowing that the kids are safe and they are having fun,” Tony said.
Volunteer Eve Vishnick, 16, of Parma, heard of the event last year through a friend and knew right away she had to donate her time again this year.
“It’s just a lovely experience seeing them enjoy their evening and the time together just having fun,” Vishnick said.
Volunteer Lisa Martin once again took the reins at managing the throngs of volunteers who helped make Royal Redeemer’s “Night to Shine” event possible.
“It’s an absolutely amazing evening and giving someone the opportunity to feel truly special and to see the joy on their faces is remarkable,” Martin said.
Members of North Royalton Municipal Government were also in attendance in support of the event including Mayor Robert Stefanik, City Council President Larry Antoskiewicz and Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck.
“Seeing this whole process come together is phenomenal,” Antoskiewicz said. “You watch the attendees and they’re just completely thrilled walking in.”
To learn more about The Tim Tebow Foundation’s global “Night to Shine” event and to watch coverage of “Night to Shine” prom events throughout the world, visit https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shine. Learn more about Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church’s ministries at royred.org.

By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer