A Night to Shine: Sharing joy

PLATTSBURGH | The annual Night to Shine brought over 100 guests and their buddies out for an evening to remember. The annual prom-style night of dining and dancing is open at no cost to guests with special needs, providing flowers, make-up, hair styling, jewelry, photographers and music and more. Night to Shine has become a global celebration worldwide, created by the Tim Tebow Foundation. In Plattsburgh, a group of volunteers sets the night alight at the Plattsburgh House of Prayer. Several of the organizers shared their experience after this year's Night to Shine, held every year on the Friday before Valentine's Day. Merritt Billiter, Jenn Grundherr and Trudy Murtagh are part of a team that spends an entire week creating a magical ballroom and dining area at the Plattsburgh House of Prayer. A final touch is the red carpet they roll out before their guests arrive. The carpet is lined with volunteers who come to cheer guests walking into the ballroom. The poignant moment, Murtagh said, is seeing the look on every face as they come through the door. "That's the thing for me that makes it all worth it. They're so excited to be the center of attention for a while. There's something about that joy on their faces," she said of the hours and weeks of planning that come together in a special moment. "The idea to host a Night to Shine event in the North Country, serving special needs residents in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, was first brought to us by a young Plattsburgh State student, Raquel White," Grundherr said. "She had volunteered at a Night to Shine event in her hometown and was very enthusiastic and motivated to host this event in Plattsburgh. The way she described her experience with such joy, empathy and excitement…I wanted to be a part of something like that." The whole event is special, Grundherr added. "We get to honor, value, and celebrate individuals with special needs. It is truly a blessing to be able to create a joyful, fun and inclusive and memorable night where our honored guests feel worthy and loved." This year was the fourth Night to Shine in Plattsburgh. Event volunteers said they've seen more than 60 percent of prom attendees return each year. They are seeing the same with local sponsors who bring some wonderful additions for their guests. COMMUNITY SUPPORT "We have a merch booth with all free merchandise, t-shirts, balls, bags," Murtagh said. There are themed cookies for all and flowers for all. "What I love about it so much is that the community is getting involved and catching the excitement of it," Murtagh said. "We had four-by-four rides and lit-up party bus rides. The bus driver came back from last year, it was so much fun. Everyone gets so excited about riding the bus." The DJ returned, as did the photo booth sponsor and the Karaoke coordinator. There were three photographers capturing guests and their buddies dressed for the evening. "Everyone who participates is inspired by the joy this night brings," Murtagh said. "We do hair and makeup," Grundherr said. "We have a full beauty room where guests can have their hair done, or makeup and nails. We have shoeshine area where guys can get their shoes shined, they just love it. We have jewelry if they want to add some, and hair clips." "That is a fun room," Murtagh said. "It was last year that a lady had donated scads of jewelry and we put it out for everyone to choose from. We had one guest this year with seven necklaces on, he was having such a great time!" THE GLOW PARTY Plattsburgh's Night to Shine planning team settled on a bright and lively theme for 2026, The Glow Party, bringing vivid veils of light with dots of vibrant color together under a disco ball. Glow sticks waved with the music. "We plan all year in our heads. We all set aside this week of the year for Night to Shine. It has to be or it wouldn't come together," Murtagh said. "This year, for me, it came together so well." "We have had this core group for the last four years and everyone brings their own gifts: decor, logistics design with badges, sponsorships, name tags and meals. This year we had Pub Grub, a menu to choose from with different items and a menu with a checklist, just like an appetizer menu at a restaurant," she said. Meal items are prepared to order with any special needs for guests, Grundherr said. "When people register, they indicate any special needs around the food. Then the prep chefs know what they have to do for individual guests." "It's such teamwork," Murtagh said. "We want to have this night be the best we can possibly give them." As the evening proceeds, Night to Shine crowns its court. The "prom court" is every guest. "Everybody is a king and a queen," Murtagh said. "The crowning happens simultaneous across the country. Crowning here is around 8 p.m. Everybody gets a crown or tiara." "It's just amazing. We've just continued to grow over the past four years. There were 28 guests who attended for the first year," Grundherr said. "And 60 this year." "Not a lot of events happen like this here," Murtagh summed. "I truly believe it is literally the best week of the year for me," Grundherr said. "I cry every year," Murtagh said. CONTAGIOUS JOY The Friday before Valentine's Day next year is Feb. 12, and Night to Shine planners already have it marked on their calendars. They welcome new volunteers who might like to help with planning for 2027. Organizing begins with review of each year's Night to Shine: What could be better? How could the evening improve? What would be fun for all? "What I love about it so much is that the community is getting involved and catching the excitement of it," Murtagh said. Lights and the joy in a Night to Shine convey simple life lessons in meaningful ways, Grundherr said. "I have learned and seen how profoundly impactful unconditional love and kindness can be for those involved in this special night, whether it be an honored guest or a volunteer. "Seeing empathy in action, authentic connections and happiness all around me has filled my heart with so much joy. This event has taught me to be more present and intentional with others, be appreciative for what I have and find the joy in the little things." A form for volunteers and support is online: plattsburghhop.com/night-to-shine

Signup for our newsletter

A Night to Shine: Sharing joy

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS