Pictured, from left, Belva Stephens and Kay Ruggier.

WARSAW — On Friday, Feb. 8, Night to Shine, a world-wide event that offers a memorable prom night experience for special needs members in the community, was held in Warsaw for the second year in a row.

Thanks to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Kosciusko Community YMCA and the Tim Tebow Foundation, guests and volunteers enjoyed an evening of dinner and dancing. 

Guests began their evening at the United Methodist Church, checking in and then being pampered with hair styling, make-up and shoe shines. They were then paired with a volunteer buddy and escorted to the Presbyterian Church. Over 200 volunteers and 125 guests were in attendance at the event.

Each guest made a red carpet entrance before enjoying an evening of dinner and dancing.

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older, hosted by local churches in all 50 states and across the globe all on one night.

“It’s a joy to be able to give our guests an experience they really can’t get anywhere else and to show them God’s love in the same way He shows us,” sad Steven Kuhn, director of aquatics and inclusive programming at Parkview Warsaw YMCA. “Being a part of the Y is great to put this on and the support and help and the true commitment we’ve seen from the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church in hosting it and the support they’ve given throughout it has been a wonderful experience. We look forward to doing it next year, that’s for sure.”