It truly was a night to shine.
The Night to Shine Prom for people with special needs (14 and over) had the Valparaiso Nazarene Church filled with lights, action and camera, last Friday evening, as well as music, music, music. This special night is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and, for the second year, has been hosted by the Nazarene Church, who not only provide the space, but also provide the majority of the volunteers.
Beginning with Pastor Eric Wood, the planning for this very special evening began several months ago, and his parishioners helped make their church come alive with lighting, decorations, and even a red carpet so that the ladies and gentlemen attending would have the royal treatment that would rival a Hollywood bash.
Prior to that beautiful evening, the prom-goers could choose a time to have a fitting, and ladies could find the dress that was just perfect, while the guys were trying on suits, ties and even shoes to look their very best. Each guest had a buddy, all of whom were volunteers from Opportunity Enterprises, the church, Special Olympics, and several other organizations.
Before the evening began, there were makeup artists and hair stylists at OE to make lovely ladies even lovelier. When each couple began their walk down the red carpet, the ladies donned a tiara, and men were crowned, and both received corsages/boutonnieres. Their walk was greeted with cheers and clapping as they experienced the royal treatment, and stopped long enough to have their forever picture taken. Then there were limo rides, karaoke, delicious food and drinks, and dancing, dancing, dancing. Although there was no cost to the attendees, the prom was a sellout.
So many people from so many walks of life with so many ways to give made this such a wonderful, memorable night that will be talked about for weeks to come. Every one of you who did anything to help make this evening a night to shine are very special, too, and are my pet persons of the week. It was a night that God blessed every one who entered the Valparaiso Nazarene Church, and the smiles lit up the sky.
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Here is some information from the Porter County Visiting Nurse Association that you may want to write down to keep in your memory bank. The Hospice Support Fund in Nashville has been soliciting members of our community through direct mail requesting donations to give all people home hospice care. It is NOT affiliated with the VNA Hospice, nor do they provide any funds for our community’s nonprofit Hospice Center. In fact, 80 percent of the donations they receive are used for fundraising costs, and administration. That doesn’t leave much to go around the U.S. for those in need of hospice care. If you are solicited by this group, please instead support our local VNA Hospice with a donation, and visit their website at www.vnanwi.org. Also, if you want more information or have questions, please call 219-462-5195. There are so many organizations who use direct mailings to try and take away the donations needed right here at home, so please always check to make sure it is something you truly want to support. Our VNA is for us.
Do you know someone who you always feel goes above and beyond in volunteering their time for others, and never seems to get recognized for their selflessness? The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club is seeking individual nominees to give those kindnesses a thank you. Each year the club solicits nominations from organizations or individuals to recognize givers. If there is someone in your life who others should know about, please consider nominating them. For a nomination form, please contact [email protected] and surprise someone who deserves to be known.
Then I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.