Auburn Special Needs Students Get A Night To Shine

AUBURN (CBS13) — More than 30,000 people across the country hit the dance floor on Friday night for a Night to Shine. It's a prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for people with special needs, who rarely get the chance to be the center of attention.

"I can't imagine how much work has gone into it," said Lisa Cline, whose son Santos was one of the honorees.

CBS 13 took a behind-the-scenes look at the final preparations. Mica Moreno, Associate Pastor at Parkside Church in Auburn, said more $20,000 in services were donated for the evening's event.

"I am just humbled, I'm just amazed at how the community here at Parkside and Auburn and beyond has really stepped up," he said.

Football player Tim Tebow started the event last year with just 44 churches participating. This year, more 200 churches worldwide hosted events. Parkside Church in Auburn is one of only three in California.

"They're wanting to give an unforgettable prom night experience, transforming Valentine's Day weekend so that the special needs community knows that God loves them," Moreno said.

The 80 participants range from 16 years old all the way into their 50s. Each one has a buddy who sticks with them throughout the night to make sure they have a blast. It's something that Lisa Cline could only dream of for her son.

"He really is special," said Lisa Cline, with a tear in her eye. "Yeah. Big loving heart. It's a mom's job to cry."

Lisa and her husband Greg adopted Santos from Guatemala on Dec. 31, 2006, one day before the country closed its doors to adoptions. They call him their miracle boy.

"We have kinda ties from all different directions on this so it's just a huge blessing," said Greg Cline.

Moreno said the months of preparation are worth when he looks at those 80 smiling faces.

"In a world where sometimes they always hear 'no,' they're going to hear 'yes' tonight," Moreno said. "Yes, you are the king, yes you are the queen."