Eufaula Celebrates Dignity and Joy at Night to Shine Event

Annual Tim Tebow Foundation event honors individuals with special needs in the community

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The city of Eufaula, Oklahoma hosted its seventh annual Night to Shine event, a worldwide celebration sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation that creates a prom-like experience to honor and celebrate individuals with special needs. Over 200 volunteers from different churches and backgrounds came together to make the evening possible, providing dinner, music, dancing, and crowning each guest as a king or queen. The event was described as a night of unity, compassion, and unconditional love that deeply impacted both the honored guests and the volunteers who served them.

Why it matters

The Night to Shine event in Eufaula is part of a global movement that aims to remind individuals with special needs that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved. By creating a celebratory experience centered on honoring their dignity and abilities, the event helps foster a sense of belonging and community inclusion for a population that often faces marginalization.

The details

The event was held at Community Culture Church, which was transformed with purple draping, gold accents, and a red carpet leading to the entrance. Guests arrived in formal attire and were paired with volunteer buddies before being transported to the church in limousines. Dinner was provided by local businesses, and the evening featured music, dancing, and a crowning ceremony where each guest received a crown or tiara. The event was described as a night of joy, laughter, and a deep sense of connection that went beyond the single event.

  • The Night to Shine event in Eufaula took place on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The event is held annually on the Friday night before Valentine's Day.

The players

Junie McKinney

The event coordinator who spent 8 months planning the Night to Shine event in Eufaula.

Pastor Jeff

The pastor who has helped lead the church's outreach efforts and spoke about the heart behind the Night to Shine event.

Chick-fil-A McAlester

The local Chick-fil-A restaurant that provided dinner for the event.

Matthew Gully

The local chef who helped prepare the dinner for the event.

Sysco

The food distribution company that donated food for the event.

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What they’re saying

“I pour everything I have into it. It takes about eight months of planning for that one night. But seeing the love on their faces — it makes it worthwhile.”

— Junie McKinney, Event Coordinator (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“Night to Shine celebrates that every person is made in God's image and worthy of honor and love. And while the night is for our guests, their joy ends up deeply impacting every volunteer who serves.”

— Pastor Jeff (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“It's a feeling that you just don't know and cannot understand until you're a part of it. It's lifechanging every year.”

— Junie McKinney, Event Coordinator (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“In a time of division, this is unity.”

— Pastor Jeff (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

“It has truly become his most favorite night of the year. He talks about it more than Thanksgiving and Christmas — and he loves those holidays. When he gets a new calendar for Christmas, it's one of the first things he wants to write in.”

— A mother of an honored guest (eufaulaindianjournal.com)

What’s next

The Night to Shine event in Eufaula is an annual celebration, so the next event is scheduled for Friday, February 12, 2027.

The takeaway

The Night to Shine event in Eufaula demonstrates the power of community unity and compassion in creating a truly inclusive and celebratory experience for individuals with special needs. By coming together across different churches and backgrounds, the volunteers were able to provide an unforgettable night that reminded the honored guests of their inherent worth and dignity, fostering a sense of belonging that extends far beyond a single evening.