Together we shine
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hundreds clapped, cheered, whooped and waved pompoms as Amy Torti walked down the red carpet in front of the Worship Center at Southeast’s Blankenbaker Campus for
Shine, a disability prom held by the church on Friday, Oct. 7.
Amy’s parents, Dick and Bette Torti watched her grand entrance from the sidelines. Decked out for the evening in her formal gown, sparkling tiara, professional makeup and
hairdo, it was her moment to shine.
Amy waved and smiled for the crowd, which included celebrities such as WHAS-AM radio personality Tony Cruise, Former Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson,
Senior Minister Dave Stone, Teaching Minister Kyle Idleman, a dozen Ladybirds from the University of Louisville and Chick-fil-A cow mascots.
But at Shine, the only celebrities on the red carpet were guests with special needs.
“I never saw anything like this,” Dick said. “It’s incredible.
Amy and her parents heard about Shine while attending a wedding in Florida. Southeast member Beth McBride described the special night designed to pamper, encourage and
love on people with special needs.
The Tortis decided it was a night they didn’t want to miss, put Oct. 7 on their calendar, stayed in touch with McBride and drove nine hours from their home in Little Rock, Ark., so
Amy could be part of Shine.
“This church has done real good for me,” Amy said. “I never saw this many people in one place.”
This is the second Shine formal at Southeast.
Stone called it the “church’s finest hour” as hundreds of volunteers served to make that night memorable for more than 600 guests with special needs.
Guests were pampered from the time they arrived in cars and limousines. The night had the flair of a Hollywood debut with two red carpets lined with adoring fans.
Earlier, guests were outfitted with ball gowns and tuxedos, tiaras and ties. They were greeted with leis as they arrived and were paired with escorts for the evening.
Southeast member Christy Holt brought Brian Joest to Shine.
“He was so excited,” Holt said. “Later I found him on the dance floor. He was like a different person at Shine, having fun, laughing and playing games. I was so proud of our
church.”
Southeast member Joyce McClain volunteered as an escort last year and signed up again.
“I didn’t want to miss this,” she said.
McClain danced on her knees so she could be eye-to-eye with her guest.
Southeast member Lauren Gassman met her guest, Roy, on the dance floor at Shine last year.
“This is so much fun,” she said. “Wait until you see Roy dance.”
The two went from activity to activity, making sure they didn’t miss out on anything.
The church was transformed for Shine.
Lower Fellowship Hall became a formal dining room, where volunteers served dinner.
Classrooms on the second floor were set up like a top notch salon with candles, a live DJ and under-the-sea décor to go along with the theme for Shine.
Professional portraits were taken in a makeshift studio on the second floor, not far from a shoe-shine station where volunteers, including David Mack and Robert Durall, made
brown and black leather shine like mirrors.
Caregivers and parents were not forgotten. They, too, were pampered and encouraged with special food, music and manicures.
Southeast member Heather Adams volunteered to give shoulder, neck and back massages.
“All night, we heard how much people appreciated all the church was doing for our celebrity guests,” she said. “Parents and caregivers were amazed that they were pampered,
as well."
Guests played ring toss, hoops, Jeopardy and all kinds of carnival games in rooms set up around the Atrium. Everyone was a winner.
A crowd filled the dance floor in upper Fellowship Hall where Southeast member George Fields was the DJ. Escorts danced to every genre of music including rock and roll and
country. The room popped with YMCA, the Cupid Shuffle, the Macarena, Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide.
Parents and caregivers watched in wonder from the sidelines.
Jeff and Bettye Herman came to Shine with their son expecting something more like a high school dance than a “grand ball,” as they described the event. Jeff, who is Jewish,
said it was his first time in the church.
“This is one class act,” he said. “I’m amazed it is so organized and so extravagant to care for those with special needs.”
Julie Wallace and Bill DeSancto brought their son, David, to Shine.
“He’s been waiting for tonight ever since he came last year,” DeSancto said. “He especially loves to dance.”
Amy and Zane Cooksey brought their son, David, to Shine.
“He loved the red carpet and he loved being pampered,” Zane said. “This is special. It’s his time to shine.”