The day after our Night to Shine Prom for people with special needs, the Tim Tebow Foundation asked us to share two heartwarming stories, one from a guest, and one from a volunteer. There were many heartwarming stories. It was so amazing to see how many new friends were made. I talked to so many mothers who said their children were overwhelmed with positive emotions; joy, happiness, excitement, none of them wanted to go home.
But one story that touched me was of a young lady Masha Klipach. She had been writing to me and one of our other staff members Sergei for weeks about how excited she was for this event. She kept writing paragraphs about how it is her dream to walk down a red carpet, and to attend a ball and to wear a dress. Even better she gets to do it without mom! She is one of the most encouraging people I have ever met, she loves to talk with people and at Night to Shine it was no different. From the time she sat down in the hair and make-up chair, she was telling everyone how she always watched on TV people getting hair and makeup done, and now she gets to do it, and it was a dream come true to have hair and makeup stylists work on her. It made all the ladies who were helping out with hair and makeup feel pretty special.
Masha having her makeup done )
The whole night on the red carpet, she was so thrilled to have everyone clapping and cheering for her, she was clapping the whole way down the red carpet back for everyone. The opportunity to receive a tiara really capped off the whole night for her, while being able to dance the night away and sing was just icing on the cake. She even shared a poem with everyone during the night, I know this night made her feel special, and she was able to do something that made her dreams come true.
The day after our party, she wrote us again on Facebook. I wanted to share her words translated from Ukrainian. “I really liked everything. Everything was cool, It was my dream to go to a ball without mom to have fun, and that my mom wouldn’t disturb me. I dreamed about an enchanting show with cameras and limousines, a cool MC and DJ with lights and music, it was a surprise, everything was at the highest level. I really liked everything, Especially how the MC hugged me at the talent show like I was a star. I liked everything and my dreams came true: I had my hair done, I had my makeup done and I was without mom. And I also met a girl I know, we use to live near each other, she used to come over and we went for a walk very often. And then I moved and we stopped meeting. And yesterday I met her and squeaked with joy. This prom reunites people. I liked it so much, I am sorry it didn’t last longer!”
“Every girl in this world has dreamed to be a princess at least for a day, the same as any boy has wanted to become a king. There is nothing better than to witness the miracle of somebody’s dream coming true. And in one glorious night, almost a hundred people’s dreams were fulfilled at the Night to Shine party. While being there I could feel that strong accumulation of happiness which I believe can make the Earth rotate. It was the most memorable night of all my volunteering experience. All those little beautiful girls and young boys I have known for a long time became such gorgeous ladies and handsome gentlemen that it was breathtaking to be around them. I was a buddy to the most gentle and funny boy in the world who was dancing on his wheelchair non-stop. What an amazing night it was!”
Hanna and Bogdan at the photo-zone!
Every guest received a buddy, and it was so neat to see how they became instant friends. The buddies really helped make the night special for all of our guests. I know every volunteer and every guest have a heartwarming story to share, but I hope these help brighten your day. God is good, and His joy filled the hearts of everyone at Night to Shine. Please pray the Lord blesses us again to be able to do this amazing event next year with the Tim Tebow Foundation.
God bless,
God’s Hidden Treasures