Night to Shine 2024: Redefining Valentine’s Day Celebration
According to a recent Social Weather Survey (SWS) survey, Filipinos’ most common Valentine’s Day wishes are for money, love, and flowers. But beyond these usual desires, some communities celebrate love differently. Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital (Tebow CURE) is an example, as they have shown love by hosting the Night to Shine event for teens with special needs every Valentine’s Day week for seven years.
A Unique Celebration of Love
Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, is an unforgettable prom night with a Christian-centered approach. Held at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites in Davao City on February 10, 2024, Night to Shine was made possible by 150 volunteers from church and nongovernment organizations, such as Global Impact, and staff from Tebow CURE.
The event celebrated 50 teens with special needs from Davao City and neighboring areas. Among the participants were 40 individuals with orthopedic and cleft conditions treated at Tebow CURE and 10 guests from the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI).
The volunteers made sure all guests felt like royalty. Seeds of Dignity Ministries and Joyce Burton-Titular, former Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985, along with her beauty queen and fashion designer friends from Luzon, donated gowns and polos for guests to wear. The Davao-renowned makeup artist Rodni Varquez and his team pampered guests, giving them a glamorous look.
Guests were greeted with a grand red carpet entrance, creating a special moment for children like Gliesa, a patient undergoing treatment for bilateral clubfoot at Tebow CURE.
The event meant a lot to her, and she shared, “This is a dream come true for me that I walked down the red carpet and attended a prom. God has blessed me, showing His great love. Even though I am a sinner, He forgave me and allowed me to experience healing.”
Connecting Guests with Local Churches for Discipleship
Tebow CURE’s spiritual ministry department took on a strategic approach to connect guests with special needs to local churches for ongoing discipleship. Churches affiliated with the Davao Region Evangelical Association of Ministers (DREAM) played a crucial role, acting as church buddies, and involving 16 churches in the process.
Joyce Burton-Titular shared a heartwarming message with attendees about how God’s love is inclusive and extends to people with special needs. “God loves and chooses beyond the physical. He chooses the clubfoot, He chooses the cleft, He chooses the broken, He chooses the lonely, He chooses all of you here right now.”
The event also spotlighted the diverse talents and gifts of individuals with special needs. Visually impaired college students from Holy Cross of Davao College delivered a rendition of the doxology and national anthem, while teens from the DSAPI showcased a tribal dance.
Adding to the heartfelt moments, Beby Jane, a patient undergoing treatment for a severe limb deformity at Tebow CURE, moved the audience by singing the worship song “Goodness of God” in Cebuano. And guests enjoyed dinner with songs from Nor Rayray and Luzmil Zacal.
Crowning Moments and Lasting Memories
The evening also featured a video message from Tim and Demi Tebow, reminding guests of their identity and value: “You are one of God’s greatest creations, and Jesus is God’s greatest gift to [you]. [You’re] so loved that God gave His son for [you]. Let your light shine because you are royalty, because you are so loved, because you are a VIP.”
The event ended with guests receiving crowns and tiaras, enjoying dancing, and taking home party favors as mementos from the celebration.
Night to Shine was an extraordinary success thanks to the generosity of our cosponsors and donors, including Seeds of Dignity Ministries, Gadol Foundation, ECCO Hardware, Intercessors for the Philippines, Christ, The Living Stone Fellowship, Market Square Solutions, and Cocolife.
To find out how you can support Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital and help children with treatable disabilities, please contact our Donor Relations Office through the following channels: [email protected], 0946 658 1510, and (082) 224 6048 ext. 414.
