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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Night to Shine organizers are preparing for their annual celebration honoring people with special needs, with preparations beginning more than a month before the event scheduled for Feb. 13.

The event features a “Dress Shop” where registered guests can find dresses, ties, or socks at no charge. This year, organizers are partnering with local businesses to set up donation drop-off locations for new and used clothing.

Organizers said they particularly need plus-size dresses in sizes 14 and up.

“Our queens that come, we need extra sizes in the 14 and up. So if there are plus-size dresses, those are the ones that we really desperately need to replenish our stock from last year. Because they got used a lot and we were so excited and happy that we were able to service a lot of our guests,” said Lindsey Jackson, a Night to Shine organizer.

Night to Shine is described as “one big night of celebration for people in our community and surrounding those people with special needs, differing abilities, that don’t often get the space to shine, to be celebrated, to have the night be catered just for them,” Jackson said.

The dress shop will open Jan. 8 for reservations starting at noon. Registered guests can make appointments online to select formal gowns.

“We just want to dote on these queens as much as we can and let them know that they are so, so beautiful,” Jackson said.

Donations can be dropped off during business hours at Byne Church, McGehee’s Tire and Auto on Highway 82, or the Plantation Gallery next to Eggs Up Grill in Albany.,

Organizers are seeking hundreds of volunteers for various roles, including red carpet paparazzi and buddies who spend the entire evening with guests.

“No matter what your capabilities are, there is a spot for you,” Jackson said.

Volunteer and sponsor registration is available at byne.org/nts.

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