When Our Community Celebrates Royalty
By Samantha Brown
The room goes quiet as the music begins. One by one, each guest steps forward to receive a crown.
Volunteers and family members rise to their feet, clapping, cheering, some wiping away tears. For
three unforgettable hours on a Friday evening in February, there is no question about anyone’s worth. Everyone here is royalty.
What began as a simple idea to celebrate the Tim Tebow Foundation’s fifth anniversary in 2014 has grown into a global movement. Tebow and his team wanted to “radically celebrate overlooked people,” and Night to Shine was born. Today, more than a decade later, 725 churches across all 50 states, and in 56 countries across six continents host Night to Shine simultaneously on the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
In Lexington, the event found a home through collaboration. When The Harvest Church first brought Night to Shine to the area and eventually outgrew its space, Mt. Horeb Church stepped in to partner and later began hosting the event. This year marks Mt. Horeb’s ninth year honoring guests ages 14 and
up for an evening designed entirely around celebration, dignity, and joy.
For Michelle Hunt, Special Needs Coordinator of Mt. Horeb Church, the event holds a deeply personal meaning. As the mother of an adult child with autism and a longtime advocate for the special needs community, she has witnessed Night to Shine from every angle—guest, volunteer, and parent. And every year, she says, the atmosphere is remarkable. “The atmosphere is electric,” Michelle shares. “It is just pure joy at its finest. You can see it on everyone’s faces—from the volunteers to the attendees, to the parents and caregivers walking in. The excitement is contagious. If I had to describe it in two words, it would be pure joy.”
That joy begins the moment guests arrive. A red carpet stretches before them as volunteers line the walkway, cheering and celebrating each guest by name. For many, it’s a thrilling moment—hearing applause, seeing smiling faces, and knowing this night is just for them. At the same time, Mt. Horeb is
intentional about meeting every guest where they are. “Most of our attendees love the red carpet,” Michelle explains. “But we always have someone in place to quiet the crowd if it’s too much for some of our friends. Some just want a quiet stroll down the carpet, and that’s okay too.”
Inside, the celebration continues. Guests can visit hair and makeup stations, have their shoes shined, enjoy karaoke, share a catered dinner with friends, and dance the night away. A sensory room offers a calm space for anyone who needs a break, while a respite room allows parents and caregivers time to relax and connect with one another—something Michelle knows is especially meaningful. “I love hearing back from parents and caregivers,” she says. “So many special needs families don’t attend church because they don’t feel there’s a place for their child. But that’s not the case at Mt. Horeb.” Through Sunday school classes, vacation Bible school, a basketball league, and other programming for individuals of all ages, the church has become a welcoming home for many families—some of whom
first connected through Night to Shine. Yet the most powerful moment of the evening comes during the crowning ceremony. Every single guest is honored as king or queen, receiving a crown in front of a cheering crowd. It’s a moment that embodies the heart of Night to Shine—a reminder that every person has immeasurable value and deserves to be celebrated.
For Tim Tebow, Night to Shine represents something deeply meaningful. In reflecting on the event, he shared that some of his greatest joys in life have not come from sports achievements or championships, but from moments like Night to Shine when he feels he’s doing what he is meant to do. The goal, he explains, isn’t just for honored guests to hear they are loved, but to truly experience elegance and recognition; to walk down that red carpet and receive their crown surrounded by people genuinely
celebrating them.
The experience extends beyond the guests themselves. One of the most transformative aspects of Night to Shine is what it does for the volunteers. “I think the biggest thing that sticks with me,” Michelle reflects, “is hearing the stories from volunteers and how this event changes the way they view individuals with special needs and their families. Many volunteers are stepping outside their comfort zones for the first time, while others return year after year. I love it when I get a call after Night to Shine and they say they’re hooked—and to sign them up for next year.” For Michelle, those moments are deeply affirming. “As a mom and an advocate for the special needs community, I could not ask for
anything more,” she says. Hundreds of volunteers come together to make the night possible, serving as buddies, managing logistics, styling hair, driving limousines, snapping red carpet photos, and spreading joy wherever they’re needed.
What makes Night to Shine so remarkable is that it transforms everyone involved. Guests experience an evening of celebration. Volunteers discover the power of selfless service. Preconceptions fade. Barriers dissolve. What remains is an authentic human connection and shared joy. The Tim Tebow Foundation provides resources and guidance to host churches, but each event is uniquely tailored to its local community. Night to Shine Midlands will take place Friday, February 13, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Mt. Horeb Church, located at 1205 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington. Whether you’re interested in
volunteering, attending as a guest, or learning more, the church invites the community to be part of this unforgettable night.
In a world that often measures worth by achievement or status, Night to Shine offers a powerful counter-narrative. For one magical evening, the only thing that matters is that every person
is celebrated, valued, and loved —kings and queens, every single one. For more information about attending or volunteering, visit NighttoShineMidlands.org.
