“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” ― Ben Carson

ROANOKE, Va. — Time.

It’s the most valuable thing you can give anyone. Time to listen to people. Time to talk to them. Time to understand a little bit better about what others are going through.

We’re all so busy. Family. Work. Hobbies. School. No matter what stage of life you’re in, you have little time.

I’ve watched the event from afar for the past few years, and it was time I got involved. I volunteered for the Tim Tebow Foundation’s “Night to Shine.”

The Night to Shine event happened in all 50 states and 11 different countries on Feb. 10, 2017.

Our local event in Roanoke, Va., was headed up by three churches with a grant from the Tim Tebow Foundation. It’s very organized and methodically planned, and the foundation wants to ensure everything goes as planned during the event. Every event has security, because, you know, you never know when or where Tebow might show up.

More than 200 volunteers gave their time, and several arrived at 7 a.m. I met engineers. Police officers. Teachers. Firemen. Principals. Hair stylists and makeup artists. Shoe shiners. Event planners. And chefs. One hundred and 70 people with special needs attended, with the youngest being 14 years old and the oldest being 70.

All total, the foundation says 75,000 people with special needs were served across the world, and it was their night to shine. Tebow has taken this global, and it’s simply amazing.

Pre-party and Dinner

I was assigned to shine shoes with two other volunteers — Jim and Tim. Our guests started arriving soon thereafter. Some guests came with family members, while others came with their “buddies,” background checked volunteers who were paired with the guests. Some guests had trouble stepping up on the stage to get their shoes shined, while others hopped right up and created conversation.

One young man was voted Homecoming King and Prom King at his local high school. And he was really looking forward to dancing. He couldn’t stop talking about it. While taking photos prior to the event, he threw a “I love you” hand sign and said the reason he holds up that sign in photos is to show off his swag. Impressive.

We shined shoes for 2 1/2 hours, serving teenagers and men who were thoroughly excited to be there.

Chick-fil-A was a sponsor for the event, and chicken nuggets were on the menu, along with green beans, macaroni and cheese and dessert. Lots of dessert.

Red carpet and main event

You haven’t seen smiles on faces until you visit the red carpet. When the prom guests arrived, they were greeted by many people cheering loudly as they stepped onto the red carpet. It was 30 degrees, too. Photos were taken while the prom guests strutted into the gymnasium for the event.

The very first song I heard the DJ play was the Stanky Legg, and the dance floor was lit up with guests dancing the night away. Everyone was dancing. Parents, buddies, prom guests and volunteers were all dancing.

Best part of the whole night

A little before 8 p.m., the emcee took the stage and stopped the music. He called every prom guest’s name to come to the front and receive a crown or a tiara. Everyone cheered. If they couldn’t walk, they were taken in a wheel chair. Crowns and tiaras were brought to individuals who couldn’t make it to the stage. It took a while, but it was completely worth it.

It was an awesome ending to such a beautiful night for the prom guests. They were beaming over their crowns and tiaras. They were kings and queens.

A community despite our differences

We are all different, but we all make up a community. Look around the country right now. We’re so divided. This is just a small event that can help make a massive impact in a local community, which came together for the greater good.

What’s so beautiful about A Night to Shine: It reminds us that despite our differences, we all should be loved on every single day. No matter our skin color or the differences that separate our fragile human lives.

Life is precious and should be valued.

The event is not about Tim Tebow

Tebow appeared only one time via a taped video explaining to everyone how special they are and how much they truly mean. Every life should be celebrated. He tells them about God’s love for them, how they are treasured and how every single one of them would be crowned. He wasn’t lying.

For everyone who is anything: This is how you use fame. Regardless of how you feel about Tebow as an athlete, we all can learn so much from him. His patience. His wisdom. His desire to make a difference and the world a better place.

I went intending to give my time and to be a part of something incredible. What I received was far more valuable than anything I gave.