Friday night, the Tim Tebow-sponsored Night to Shine enfolded the St. Croix Montessori School with lights and music as special guests arrived and were escorted to a night of dining and dancing by volunteers with pom-poms and noise makers. Noel Wynter provided high-energy steel pan music.
The guests, “kings” and “queens,” were people with special needs over the age of 14. They were often accompanied by caregivers, with everybody dressed in their finest for the third prom night hosted by the St. Croix Christian Church. Some gowns and black-tie attire were donated by community members.
The Montessori gym was decorated for the event with lights, streamers, glitter, and music. A huge buffet was set up at the back of the room and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Round tables were decorated with candles and shimmering tablecloths.
The most popular activity seemed to be smiling, laughing, and talking. Guests also enjoyed having makeup applied, hair styled, and shoes shined by volunteers. In another area, it was easy to hear who enjoyed singing karaoke.
Many of the volunteers are employees from JS Therapies and St. Croix Animal Welfare Center. Others are friends and relatives.
Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and then embarked on a football career with the Denver Broncos. He later played professional baseball. Tebow started his foundation in 2010 to help the most vulnerable people – 153 orphaned and abandoned children around the world. Night to Shine has been hosted by hundreds of churches in more than 50 countries.
