Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine is a formal event for people with special needs who are 14 years or older. Hosted by local churches, activities include a red carpet entrance, a catered meal, limousine rides, karaoke and a crowning ceremony.

Creating a professional and fun atmosphere for guests is key for Mike Blackie, Catalyst Church pastor and event organizer, as the elevated experience can bring smiles to faces and “show what it means to the guests.”

Making a difference

Blackie and his wife, April, have organized the Blair County event since 2019.

Jamie Stasky and Luke Hullihen have their photo taken together during the Night to Shine event at the Jaffa Shine Center on Friday evening. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

When the national Night to Shine was still in its infancy, Blackie thought it was a great opportunity to bring the program into Central Pennsylvania to help highlight community members with special needs.

“It’s a no-brainer for us,” he said.

This year was the first time that Night to Shine was celebrated in the Jaffa Shrine because of the growing guest list.

Each honored guest is accompanied by a volunteer known as a “buddy,” which doubled the attendance size as well. Taking into consideration the remaining 100 volunteers, the venue hosted almost 700 individuals Friday night.

April Blackie said she was thankful for the Jaffa Shrine as the celebration outgrew its previous venue.

Kenny Gray of Mount Union laughs with girlfriend Kayla Eitnier of Huntingdon during the Night to Shine event at the Jaffa Shine Center on Friday evening. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“It’s overwhelming every year because it keeps getting bigger,” she said, noting more sponsors and community members continue to get involved.

Bishop Guilfoyle and Altoona Area cheerleaders flanked the red carpet on Friday night, waving pompoms and signs as guests made their way into the banquet hall.

Blair County Night to Shine also welcomed the 501st Legion Starkiller Garrison, which is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization based in Western Pennsylvania sanctioned by Lucas Films. A Jedi, Scout Trooper, TIE Pilot and an R2-KT were seen posing for pictures with guests.

“It takes an army,” said volunteer Heather Gilmore, who lends a helping hand to highlight individuals who don’t typically receive special time for themselves.

“It takes a lot of people to make it all come together,” she said.

Pitching in

In the banquet hall, Altoona Area High School student Charlotte White, 14, wore an Anna costume from Disney’s “Frozen” while her friend Rylee Bush, 17, wore a Belle costume from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

Charlotte enjoys wearing costumes and said she wanted to go the extra mile for her first time volunteering at the event to make the guests smile.

Bush has worn her costume to the celebration for the last four years. She said tongue-in-cheek that she’s now known as Belle to guests, with or without the costume.

The princess pair were positioned at the dance floor Friday night, to make “everyone feel welcomed, get lots of pictures and become best friends with somebody,” Charlotte’s mother, Jessica White, said.

White has been a Night to Shine volunteer for the last seven years.

White has family members with special needs and said she wanted to get her daughters, Charlotte and Olive, involved with a program that helps people with special needs participate in ordinary activities.

“This is so amazing because it’s all about them, and seeing them light up and be here is what it’s about,” she said.

Shining bright

After guests posed for the camera on the red carpet, they were invited to bite into Claysburg Pizza, sing along to karaoke or take a break in the sensory room.

A city resident in a sparkling red dress took a seat at the hair and makeup station, where she got her curls touched up by a volunteer. It was her second time attending a Night to Shine.

She said she was looking forward to having fun and enjoying herself.

While sitting at a table in the banquet hall, two friends from Gallitzin were excited to socialize and meet new people at the celebration.

They took some time to root through their swag bags that contained foam light sticks and plastic glasses, as the one friend remembered that he enjoyed his bag from last year, too.

An Everett Area High School couple were getting their picture taken at the photo studio before taking a limo ride later that night.

Being a couple for four years, they said they enjoy spending time with their friends at the event.

As guests make valuable memories at the event, April Blackie said continuing the Blair County Night to Shine event is a “calling at this point.”

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.