North Greenwood Baptist Church is still searching for volunteers to help with its Feb. 10 prom for special-needs young people.
“A Night to Shine” is an international event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for those 14 and older with special needs. The Rev. Dr. Jim Phillips, pastor of North Greenwood Baptist, said the church is currently short about 40 buddies to accompany prom guests throughout the night.
“I feel like it’s going to happen, but we’re still working on it,” Phillips said.
The deadline to sign up to volunteer is Jan. 29. For those unsure about whether to participate, Phillips said the church’s training sessions, to be held Jan. 22 and 29, would be open.
“We will walk everyone through the process of what everyone is expected to do throughout the night,” he said.
Other volunteer positions are also open, including for food service and welcoming guests. Right now, however, buddies are the most needed, Phillips said.
He said potential volunteers are also welcome to attend the next meeting of the event’s planning committee, which will be held in the church’s fellowship hall at 1 p.m. Monday.
“A Night to Shine” was launched in 2015. North Greenwood Baptist originally planned to host the event in 2020 and then in 2021, but it was postponed because of complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guests will be treated this year to a red-carpet entrance into the church’s Recreational Outreach Center. Complimentary shoe shines and makeup freshening will be offered as guests enter, and the night will proceed with Greenwood Councilman Johnny Jennings acting as DJ and karaoke moderator.
A separate, concurrent banquet will be held for caregivers to feast and enjoy fellowship with each other.
The function is budgeted around $10,000. Part of the funding was provided through a grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation — named after former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow — to help establish the event as an annual occurrence. Phillips said the church is still looking for financial donors to help cover the costs of the event, including party favors for each guest.
Sponsorships are available for purchase anywhere from $50 and below to $2,000. “We haven’t really made a big request for financial sponsorship, but we really do need it,” Phillips said.
Prior to the event, the church will host a shop for prom dresses.
“People will be able to come by, see what we have, pick from the rack, use and return it afterwards,” Phillips explained.
The church is still accepting dress donations.
The event is free to families, and those who wish to volunteer may call the North Greenwood Baptist office at 662-453-2801 or pick up a form at the church at 615 Grand Blvd.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at the event by 5 p.m. and stay afterward to help with cleanup. They also are required to pay for and pass a background check, for which there is a $15 fee.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
