CULLMAN, Ala. – Life Church – Hanceville, in partnership with the Hanceville Civitans and the Tim Tebow Foundation, will host Night to Shine of Cullman County on Friday, Feb. 13, from 6-8 p.m. The event will take place at the Hanceville Civic Center, where guests living with disabilities, ages 14 and older, will be welcomed for an evening designed to celebrate and honor them.
“Night to Shine is a complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world,” according to the Tim Tebow Foundation. “Each event is unique to its location, but cornerstone elements include a red carpet entrance complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi, hair and makeup stations, shoeshines, limousine rides, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, dancing and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a King or a Queen — the way God sees them each and every day.”
Madison Lee, a certified occupational therapy assistant and one of the local organizers, shared why the mission behind Night to Shine is deeply personal to her.
“I would say I am representing the special needs/neurodivergent community itself,” Lee said. “I have been working with the special needs community for six-and-a-half years now. I have a passion for understanding and working with this community. They bring so much light to our world.”
Lee first experienced Night to Shine while volunteering in another county and quickly fell in love with its mission. After sharing that experience with her mother, a member of the Hanceville Civitans, the idea to bring the event to Cullman County began to take shape. From there, the group reached out to Life Church – Hanceville, which eagerly agreed to partner.
“Night to Shine is an unforgettable worldwide celebration event, centered on God’s love, honoring and valuing people with special needs,” Lee said. “This event is meant to display God’s love, everyone’s place in His kingdom and provide an experience that every person deserves to have.”
Throughout the evening, guests will dance, take photos and share a meal in an atmosphere designed to feel like a traditional prom night. Lee said her hope is that each participant leaves with lasting memories.
“My goal is to give each individual an experience that will last a lifetime, an experience that makes them smile and feel included,” she said.
Organizers are currently seeking community support through donations and volunteers to help elevate the experience even further. Contributions help cover decorations, music, photography and crowns and additional support could allow organizers to offer meals for participants and their families, formal wear rentals, limousine rides and more.
“It’s a great way for the community to get involved in events that mean something more,” she said.
“I would love for all those impacted by this event to see more in these individuals, the beauty of community, the light and love of Christ and the simplicity of being kind and inclusive,” she added. “We are all creations of God who are unique, beautiful and here for a purpose. It’s a night of equality and fun.”
Night to Shine is an official program of the Tim Tebow Foundation. Registration is currently open for guests/participants at https://tinyurl.com/5emwt6jf. All donations made toward the event are tax-deductible.
Those interested in volunteering or donating may contact Madison Lee at 256-338-9421 or maddibrooke.ml@gmail.com. Contributions may also be coordinated through the Hanceville Civitans at hancevillecivitan22@gmail.com. Additional information about Night to Shine is available at www.timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine.
The Hanceville Civic Center is located at 902 Commercial St., Hanceville.
