Night to Shine 2017

Remember when you went to prom? Maybe you were the dashing debonair, asking your high school sweetheart to join you for a special evening. Or maybe you were the lovely debutante, being whisked away by your prince charming. For nearly 350 special needs princes and princesses in the Kansas City area, the 2017 Night to Shine offered an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God’s love.

Night to Shine is an annual prom night experience hosted by faith communities around the world. On February 20, 2017, Westside Family Church partnered with other local faith communities, Cedar Ridge Community Church and Mission Church, to join another 375 churches around the world in offering this unique experience to special needs individuals and their caregivers.  The annual event, which is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, celebrates people with special needs and draws over 75,000 honored guests each year. Guests are lavished with attention and affection, along with all the requisite items such as formal wear, jewelry, and flowers to make the prom night experience complete. 

None of this would be possible without extravagant support from thousands of volunteers. In 2017, over 150,000 volunteers helped make the event possible, including 55 individuals from Westside Family Church, many of whom were first-time volunteers. In addition to our honored guests, the Kansas City Night to Shine event was thrilled to have Malerie Moore, 2017 Miss Teen Kansas USA and Tiffany Walter, 2016 Miss Wheelchair Kansas, join the festivities. Many volunteers and caregivers shared that the evening was not only an encouragement for those with special needs but also helped renew the faith and passion of those who support them.

Westside Family Church is committed to loving Jesus, sharing Jesus and becoming like Jesus by serving our community. If you would like to learn more about Night to Shine and other events designed to positively impact our community with God’s love, please contact Melody Tener at mtener@westsidefamilychurch.com or visit the Community Impact page.