On Friday, Feb. 10, Crossroads Christian Church in Gray, Tenn., was one of over 350 churches worldwide to take part in Night to Shine, a prom night experience for individuals in the community with special needs.
At 5:30 p.m., guests were announced by name as they made their grand entrance. Family members and volunteers applauded as each guest made their way down the red carpet under swords held high by members of the Daniel Boone High School Marine JROTC.
Individuals danced and celebrated the night away with volunteers from around the region.
The event lasted from 6 to 9 p.m. and consisted of dinner, dancing, entertainment and a photo room where all the participants could get their pictures taken.
Event Director Kurt Cardy said Crossroads Christian Church applied through the Tim Tebow foundation and was one of the churches selected out of 375 other churches.
Around 400 people attended the dance, and over 100 people volunteered their time to make the evening possible, including many Milligan students.
Heather Logan, a Crossroads member and event leader, said she was surprised at how many individuals showed up.
“My heart is seeing people happy and that they fit in somewhere,” Logan said. “It’s important to make everyone feel like they belong somewhere.”