Locals Gearing Up for Shine Carlsbad

By Misty Cryer

A special evening to the community, Shine Carlsbad is about to happen. On April 17, this prom-type event for those with special needs, ages 16 and up, will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos River Village. Registration is open now for guests and volunteers.

“We normally have about 100 guests that come out,” said Jason Shirley. “We have about 150 volunteers that make the night happen,” he said.

Guests usually show up decked out in prom gear, including formals and tuxes, said Shirley. “Not required, but most of them like to do that,” he said.

When the guests arrive, the ladies get their hair and makeup done while the guys get their shoes shined, said Shirley. “We have paparazzi lining the red carpet to cheer them on as they come in and take pictures. They get a professional photo made,” he said.

“We have a catered dinner for them, and then we have karaoke running for them, and then have a dance,” said Shirley.

“We finish the evening by giving them their picture, a swag bag, and love on them. We crown each guest king and queen of the prom. We encourage them that they are very valued and special to us, special to the community, and special to God,” he said.

When handing out the crowns and tiaras, which the guests love, Shirley said they put them all on at one time. “It’s a really special thing,” he said. “I’ll even see them weeks after out in the community, a lot of times they are still wearing their crowns and tiaras.”

This year, employees from Delta Constructors are cooking briskets for dinner. “We get our sides from local vendors, and it has been a huge blessing for us,” he said.

“Jose Ornelas is doing the dance portion and has done it for many, many years,” said Shirley. “We have a great time,” he said.

The committee chair is Reana Lloyd. “She’s worked on Shine since we started it and is phenomenal at doing it,” said Shirley. Tiffany (Shirley’s wife) is also a part of the planning, he said, adding, “We’ve got other committee members that do so good, people who decorate, and do all the things.”

When asked if anything was needed from the community for the Shine Carlsbad event, Shirley said, “Volunteers.” He said volunteers can do several things, like helping with hair and makeup, shoe shining, or serving food.

“We always need some security to kind of help out and watch,” said Shirley. “CARC staff is present as well, so we have the expertise in the field, so everybody is safe.”

One of the most popular things, said Shirley, is to be a “buddy” for the evening, adding that is the position they need the most volunteers for.

Explaining what a “buddy” does, Shirley said, “They get out and have a good time with the guests—sit at the table and have dinner with them, dance with them, and have a great time.” He said if they have 100 guests, ideally, they aim to have one buddy paired up with one guest.

“One thing that we don’t do for Shine is we don’t go out seeking big sponsorships or anything like that,” said Shirley. “We know there are so many great companies that give so much to the community. This is something that we’ve been able to do by just everybody kind of chipping in,” he said, adding that this year, Shine is paid for.

Shirley said they like to accumulate dollars over the year, “We have a lot of $25 donations, $50 donations, and $100 donations that make it happen.” The Shine Carlsbad event is operated by a non-profit organization that he and Tiffany have called Safe Escape, so that donations may be tax-deductible.

To register as a guest or volunteer, or to donate to Shine Carlsbad, visit shinecarlsbad.com.

Shirley said that they have had guests from nearby communities, who are welcome. “One of the things that has happened out of us doing Shine is that other communities have taken it back to their communities and have done their own events, which I think is phenomenal as well. I would love to see this in every community in New Mexico,” he said.