Night to Shine adds formal dinner in 2024
FREMONT - While most people are busy preparing for Christmas Day this week, members of New Hope Vineyard Church are busy planning a mid-winter event for local royalty. On Feb. 9, New Hope will host Night to Shine, a prom event for individuals with special needs where each person is crowned king or queen of the prom.
The Fremont event is one of hundreds of Night to Shine events hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation across the world.
For one evening, about 150 individuals with special needs will be treated like belles — and beaus — of the ball. They will have their hair and makeup touched up, their shoes shined, and their photos snapped by paparazzi. Each guest will receive a gift bag and a corsage or boutonniere before they take a stroll on the red carpet. They can sing karaoke, take a ride in a limo, and dance to the music of The Together Band.
Night that Shines adds sit-down dinner
New to this year’s event is a full-service, sit-down dinner.
“We think they’ll love that. It will feel fancier,” said event chair Trudy Nellessen. “They can sit and be served. I think that sends a message.”
Night to Shine is free and open to anyone with special needs age 14 and older.
To make Night to Shine a memorable event, New Hope needs help. The annual event typically requires between 350 and 400 volunteers. Volunteer duties vary, including serving food, doing makeup, manning coat check, or being a companion buddy to a guest. Volunteers must be 14 or older.
“There’s something for everyone’s ability,” said New Hope Pastor Tony Buxsel. “You can be a buddy or serve behind the scenes. My wife cuts the cake. That’s her favorite thing to do.”
New Hope Vineyard hosted its first Night to Shine event five years ago. Pastor Nancy Cullen, who died on Nov. 16, was instrumental in leading the event at the church. Last year, she asked Nellessen to shadow her with the hope that she would take over in a few years.
Donations pour in honoring late pastor
Cullen is still impacting the event as donations in her memory have poured in.
“We’re still shocked about Nancy’s death,” Nellessen said. “The community is amazing. This year, we’re getting donations in Nancy’s honor. We’re so grateful. Because of the donations, we’ll be able to put on an even bigger event.”
Night to Shine creates special memories for individuals with development disabilities, including Nellessen’s son, JJ.
“JJ thinks the whole thing is for him,” Nellessen said. “From the people with special needs to the staff who take care of them, everyone is excited to go. It permeates all the community — from the individuals to the care staff.”
Night to Shine fits well into New Hope Vineyard’s mission to “love God and make His love known.”
“This is a great way to show His love to our community,” Buxsel said.
New Hope Vineyard offers a ministry for individuals with developmental disabilities at the church, so this event is an extension of the care they have for people with special needs.
“We’re a small church, and this is our big event. It’s what we invest in,” Buxsel said. “It’s added life to our church and to the special needs community. We’re always getting asked when the next Night to Shine will be.”
Night to Shine is made possible by the sponsorship of Terra State Community College and many other community sponsors.
Night to Shine will be held at Terra on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, to register a guest, or to sign up to volunteer, visit newhopevineyard.org/NTS/.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: New Hope Vineyard to again host Night to Shine
