Night to Shine, a prom for people with special needs, takes place the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Hosted by Strongsville UMC and Bay Presbyterian Church, the 2025 date is February 7 at The Aviator in Brook Park. Can you volunteer? Your help makes the magic happen!

The guest list is already full and there is a waiting list of guests who want to attend. With your help, 200 guests (teens and adults with disabilities) and nearly 200 parents and caregivers will be treated to a great night of fun.

Our honored guests will enjoy a red carpet experience featuring paparazzi, corsages and boutonnieres, a plated dinner, dancing, limo rides, and more. The evening’s highlight will be the crowning of each guest as king or queen of the prom with crowns and tiaras. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers will have their own event at The Aviator, complete with dinner and music. Every aspect of Night to Shine is provided at no cost to guests and their families.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers serve in many different capacities. Registration for volunteers  is open and our church has been invited to help!

300+ volunteers are needed the night of Friday, February 7 to serve as buddies and in various other roles including: welcome team, paparazzi team, escort/crown/tiara team and more. Volunteers must be 14 and over to serve; background checks are mandatory (at no cost to the volunteer candidate). Will you join us in making our event an evening for our honored guests to shine?

There will be a training meeting on Sunday, January 26 at 1:00pm at Bay Presbyterian Church (25415 Lake Road, Bay Village, OH).

Rev. Abby Auman from Strongsville UMC served last year. “Last year I was a buddy.  I think I was there about 4 hours.  I was assigned as a buddy to a table of 3 volunteers and 4 guests from an adult group home.  Some of the guests are teens/young adults who may be living with their parents.  I talked about whatever they wanted to talk about and sliced chicken nuggets as needed for dinner.  During the dance time, my buddy enthusiastically danced the same dance to the same beat the entire time so my poor ability to keep the beat actually paid off since I could follow hers visually!  I didn’t even have to clean up when the guests left.  It meant SOOOO much to the guests and their caregivers (who get a nice dinner in another room etc if they want).  For some of them, this is THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR that they look forward to year round.”

There are a huge number of support roles. You’re sure to find one that fits your gifts and graces. Learn more and Register here.

Interested in carpooling to the Aviator? Have questions? Want to make a donation to the cause?