FORT SMITH, Ark. — Night to Shine is an annual prom-style celebration for those with special needs 14 and up. This year, the group that runs it says more volunteers are needed.
"We do fun stuff like karaoke, the dance scene, the dining, and the fun pictures, the limo rides. The red-carpet treatment" said Chris Benjamin, Pastor at West Ark Church of Christ.
West Ark Church of Christ in Fort Smith has hosted the event for eight years now.
This year, they need volunteers more than ever, as they want a 3-to-1 ratio between buddies to kings and queens. Right now, officials say they barely have enough people signed up for a 2-to-1 ratio.
"Buddies are by far one of the most important jobs at night to shine," Benjamin said. "They will be paired up with their buddy for the evening. And they get to take pictures, go to whatever events they want to, and they just get to celebrate this evening."
Shannon Horton has been going to West Ark for over 25 years and has volunteered at Night to Shine ever since the event first started. For seven out of the eight years she's volunteered as a buddy and has been paired with Shebbie Eubanks.
"He's an older gentleman, I want to say upper 70s, now maybe even early 80s. But you could not tell it all," Horton said. "He wants to dance. We're pretty much on the dance floor all night."
Shebbie has a signature cowboy style look that he wears every year to Night to Shine. After a few years of noticing this, Horton decided to match.
"He dresses in his black outfit, cowboy hat, boots, and even spurs," Horton said. "It probably took me a few years to figure out this is every time, so I started dressing in my cowboy boots and more of a Western shirt."
Both Benjamin and Horton encouraged people to sign up to volunteer because it's three hours out of your night to make someone else's special.
"It's the best, most fun, memorable experience. So of course, you just want to keep coming back," Horton said.
"You're going to leave that night and you're going to feel like you've done one of the best things that you've done all year," Benjamin said. "You see how much folks can love each other, and you see how good life can be."
Night to Shine will take place on Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the West Ark Church of Christ. To volunteer, click here or call (479) 452-1240.
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