SHINING STARS
Putnam City Baptist Church hosts a prom night to remember
Alphonso Humphrey was surrounded by enthusiastic fans as he showed off some of his fancy footwork on the dance floor.
Michael Phillips boogied to the beat with Oklahoma City police officer Brandi May.
There were more shining stars decked out in their fancy suits and dresses which meant more fun, more smiles and more laughs for everyone at the recent “Night to Shine” prom-night event hosted by Putnam City Baptist Church.
Attendance at the 2017 gathering Friday almost doubled last year’s, and it showed.
A crowd of more than 1,800 people swarmed inside and outside the church for the second annual prom-night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. In partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, the Oklahoma City church’s gala was held simultaneously with 374 other churches in all 50 states and 11 countries on six continents.
For a while, the VIPs stood on the sidewalk outside the church, 11401 N Rockwell, waiting for their opportunity to walk the red carpet. But before they reached that special place, they were whisked off to hair and makeup and a chance to receive their very own crowns and tiaras designating each of them as kings and queens of the prom.
Like last year’s event, the red carpet experience was magical for the special guests as they were each paired with a volunteer buddy who walked with them through a crowd of people who clapped and cheered for them. Many of the VIP’s smiled and waved back, while some gave the thumbs up sign and several gave highfives to onlookers. The addition of an announcer who shared the name of each special guest was a personal touch this year.
Visitors were treated to up-close views of the Clydesdale horses from Express Personnel; limousine rides; and photo opportunities with personalities and celebrities like Jason White, University of Oklahoma football Heisman winner, local pageant queens and mascots like OU’s Boomer and Sooner and the Chickfil-A cows.
Meanwhile, dressed in a black suit, Christopher Paynter, 31, of Edmond, ate a meal from Chickfil-A and chatted with his buddy, Craig Stetson, a Putnam City Baptist member. Paynter, who plans to compete as a skier in the 2017 Special Olympics Winter Games in Austria, said he was enjoying the prom event.
“I’m loving it. I met my friends,” he said.
Sitting nearby, Kera Bell, 34, of Edmond, said she was impressed that Tebow had the idea for the “Night to Shine.”
“I think it’s really a sweet thing and no one had come up with it,” Bell said.
She said she found out about the event when she saw Tebow discussing plans on the “Ellen” television talk show.
Bell’s buddy, Sarah Hixson, a University of Oklahoma student, said she volunteered to help with the event because she enjoyed serving at last year’s dance.
Stetson shared similar comments.
“I think it’s an awesome cause and I have a heart for it,” he said, adding that his wife and one of his sons were also serving as volunteers.
The Rev. Bill Hulse, Putnam City Baptist’s senior pastor, said the church was able to add about 150 more special guests than last year, for a total of 424 participants. He said the dance also included 438 buddies, 456 parents, 439 volunteers, 41 mascots and celebrity personalities, 39 police and six firefighters.
Hulse said this year’s crowd swelled to 1,843 as compared to 1,000 people last year.
“I thought it was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Last year, we only had 40 days to get ready. We found out about the event way too late and just scrambled it together. This year, we had a lot longer to plan.”
Hulse said the church, with church member Robert Miller as “Night to Shine” coordinator, also offered parents and guardians their own event at the MAPS wellness center adjacent to the church.
“We were able to access that and provide a one-ofa-kind adult prom for the guardians who never get any time for themselves. That basically doubled capacity and the ability to really minister and make it a special night for everybody,” he said.
Hulse said the church was grateful for the community’s aid.
“Part of the thing that stuck out to me the most as we were expanding the event this year was knowing we could count on Oklahoma City,” he said, noting that the church had the volunteers but meals, lighting, sound and the special activities like the limousine rides came through corporate sponsorships.
“They made the impossible possible,” Hulse said.
In addition, he said police who volunteered to help with the event made it extra special.
“They danced with the kids. They were there to help with traffic on the streets so people could get in and out. They served for free, that was donated,” the preacher said. “Those first responders that were there, it was just incredible to see their outpouring. They don’t get enough credit many times and they certainly need to be noticed on this.”
Part of the thing that stuck out to me the most as we were expanding the event this year was knowing we could count on Oklahoma City. They made the impossible possible.” Rev. Bill Hulse, senior pastor at Putnam City Baptist Church