The community of Jones County came together recently for an event that focuses on a segment of the population that is many times overlooked.
The 2023 Night to Shine was hosted by Bradley Baptist Church Feb. 10 to give 120 special needs individuals a prom-like experience that concludes with them being crowned kings and queens and a celebratory balloon drop.
Rev. Steve Johnson said in a Feb. 17 interview that the number of those participating in the event – including volunteers, buddies and guests – totaled more than 450.
The annual event is an almost herculean effort that totally empties out the church’s multipurpose sanctuary and Sunday School rooms to create a ballroom, sensory rooms and red-carpet entry, not to mention the make-up and shoeshine areas for the guests.
All the furniture from those areas were stored in trucks during the event and moved back into the church the next morning.
Caregivers are not left out and are treated to a dinner and evening of entertainment in the church’s old sanctuary.
Johnson said the community stepped up, beginning with sponsorships to pay for the expenses of the event to all the volunteers from other churches, businesses and organizations. He said 2,200 chicken nuggets were purchased from Chickfil- A for the guest dinners, and Dairy Queen of Gray donated meals for the volunteers.
The reverend said Mark the Magic Man provided entertainment, and Hart’s Mortuary and Gray Memorial Chapel furnished limousines to transport the guests. He added it was impossible to name all who helped.
He said this year’s event was extra special because it was the first time back in person following COVID-19. The first Night to Shine in Jones County took place in 2019, and the 2020 event took place before the pandemic.
The next two events in 2021 and 2022 had to be virtual, which made this year’s in-person event more enjoyable for everyone.
Johnson said it was impossible for him to pick a favorite part of the evening, but the balloon drop is always fun, despite signifying the end of the evening. He said the red-carpet entrance and paparazzi are amazing for the guests, and this year’s meals were served to every table, which was also an addition.
He said one example of the support of the community was the number of people who showed up at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to move everything back into the church.
“With all those volunteers, it didn’t seem like it took much more than an hour. That was huge,” the reverend said.
Johnson said they always meet a few days after the event to talk about what they could do better. He said one of the challenges for next year is the need to replace the person who has organized the files and performed background checks at the backend of the event. He said that person made spreadsheets to keep up with all the moving parts, but this was the last year they would be able to do it.
“We start meeting in November, and we have a great team,” he said.
Johnson said the event always needs volunteers including medical personnel to people in the sensory rooms. Anyone interested in being involved can contact Bradley Baptist Church at 478-986-4995.
