BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was a dazzling night at Cuyahoga Valley Church in Broadview Heights, with a prom for special needs individuals and their families.
"If you think very carefully about how society has been treating us people, when you think of people with disabilities like I do — I'm totally blind, so I cant see anything — but when you think about it, not many people have done what is done over here at Night to Shine," Kenny Foderaro, from Parma, said.
The "Night to Shine" event was launched by the Tim Tebow Foundation 10 years ago. This church was one of many hosting the special prom in Northeast Ohio Friday night, along with others across the U.S. and around the world.
"That's what he had in mind — that those that have been isolated or rejected that they can feel special and loved," Denise Petek said of Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback.
Petek organized this event, and is also the children's minister at the church.
"If you see them coming in ... they're hanging out the sunroofs of their car waving, feeling like princesses from the moment they pull in," she gushed.
The pampering started early in the day, with makeovers and special attire to fit the occasion.
"She looks forward to this all year," Nancy Nagy, from Strongsville, said of her daughter Rachel. "And just making her feel special all day — hair, nails makeup, picking out her dress with Denise — it's amazing."
Nagy tells us Rachel looks forward to the event all year, and Rachel concurs.
"I have fun," Rachel smiled. "I love Taylor Swift songs."
There was also a separate event downstairs for parents and caregivers to unwind.
"It's nice to relax, and we know that they're having a nice time and well taken care of," Rachel's father Jim said. "It's just a lot of fun for them."
Nearly 300 guests and roughly 500 volunteers packed the church, with contributions from many area organizations to make it all possible.
"Those of you who don't come to night to shine, we want you to know that you are special, too," Foderaro declared.
If you're interested in volunteering next year, registration opens up on Nov. 1. You can find more information about registering as a guest here.