There was a sense of excitement at Breckenridge Village of Tyler as BVT residents and day-program participants prepared for A Night to Shine, an international formal affair presented by the Tim Tebow Foundation. In 2018, the foundation brought its formal event to Tyler’s Grace Community Church, who blessed BVT with an invitation to don evening gowns and tuxedos for a special dinner and dance.

A room in the BVT chapel was transformed into a salon, where, from their stylists’ chairs, BVT residents Deborah and Tammy spotted the camera and were quick to raise an eyebrow and flash a smile. With her hair done just right, Tammy offered a head-to-toe pose for the full effect of the evening’s ensemble and featured accoutrements.

In an adjacent building on the BVT campus, freshly groomed and shaven gentlemen lounged in formal wear. When word came, they rose from their seats, buttoned and straightened their boutonnieres and jackets, and strode confidently to greet their companions for the evening.

Guests were ushered into two elegant stretch limousines and driven to a red carpet welcoming the affair’s most esteemed guests. Bulbs flashed as each guest sauntered down the crimson path, pausing in the splashes of light, clutching their decorative wraps and coats, formal defense for an East Texas February chill.

Bulbs flashed as each guest sauntered down the crimson path, pausing in the splashes of light, clutching their decorative wraps and coats, formal defense for an East Texas February chill.

Inside, the church wore the glitz and glamour of a gala. Balloons floated above tables where friendly and attentive volunteers welcomed the party’s new arrivals. Ahead of the sign-in table, a colorful array of food and drink to energize attendees for dancing, karaoke singing, and a special message from the event’s lead advocate, Tim Tebow.

In the main ballroom, the music fell, and the public address announcer asked for everyone’s attention. As Tebow’s projected image appeared, the crowd erupted in jubilant applause. His message – that God sees each one of us as a king or a queen. As the message concluded, volunteers produced gleaming crowns and sparkling tiaras for the partygoers, generating the broad smiles that reflect the presence of the King of Kings in the hearts of all Christ’s children.