Shine A Light
An Evening Of Celebration
Let your light shine! Join Sunbeam Family Services in lighting the way for Oklahomans at the 12th annual Shine a Light event, chaired by Jenny and Lincoln McElroy. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and inspiring stories of hope on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m.
At Shine, we will also celebrate 2026 Aspire Award Recipients David and Jean McLaughlin for their dedication to helping build brighter futures with all children and families in Oklahoma.
Working together, we can “Shine a Light” on the needs of our community and help even more children and families find their light. Your generosity prepares babies and toddlers for school and life success through early care and education; and provide wraparound support with mental health services and connection to resources.
8:30 p.m. Event Concludes
Free Valet Parking
Please reserve sponsorship by January 14, 2025, to be included on the invitation and February 27, 2026 to be included on other event materials.
Shine A Light 2026 Emcee, Amanda Taylor of News 9
Amanda Taylor can be seen on weekdays co-anchoring the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts and reporting on issues important to Oklahomans. She’s anchored news coverage from the devastation in Moore after the 2013 tornado, brought us live coverage from Cushing after the 2016 earthquake, and traveled across state lines to get the whole story.
As a consumer reporter, Amanda’s gone to bat for Oklahomans who were wronged and even helped send a con man to prison thanks to her investigative report. Since joining the News 9 team, Amanda’s been recognized with multiple awards for her work. These include 6 Emmys, an Edward R. Murrow Award, Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters awards, Associated Press honors, and Society of Professional Journalist awards.
Amanda also has a passion for the welfare of children. She’s most proud of her work with News 9 and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program. She received an Emmy nomination for the emotional story of her father’s struggle with hunger. Through that, and her other community outreach efforts, she has helped raise more than two million dollars to feed hungry children.
Amanda graduated from the University of Florida but grew up a “Hoosier” in Bloomington, Indiana. She joined the News 9 team in 2006 after leaving KENS in San Antonio, Texas. Before her work in San Antonio, Amanda reported and anchored for KAUZ in Wichita Falls, Texas and WUFT in Gainesville, Florida.
When you don’t see Amanda on television, she keeps busy chasing after her very active children, Gage and Harlow, and hanging out with her husband Nick and their Sheepadoodle, Ralphie. Amanda also enjoys crafts and photography.
If you have any questions, please contact Zac Gillis at zgillis@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or (405) 609-8926.