Broadview Heights, Ohio (WJW) – What started as an idea has grown into a grassroots movement that is sweeping the globe.

On Friday night, “A Night to Shine” celebrations were held at churches across the world. It is the mega event of the year for people with special needs and their families and caregivers.

“What I know is going to happen is that I’m going to have a good time with my friends, where I feel welcome,” Night to Shine VIP Adam Philipps, who attended a celebration held at Cuyahoga Valley Church in Broadview Heights, told FOX 8.

A Night to Shine was created by the Tim Tebow Foundation as the ultimate prom experience for very special people, complete with a red carpet for a grand entrance for each VIP.

“We want them to feel like the kings and queens they are, and we want them to know that we love them and we love spending time with them,” said Denise Petek, who is the Children’s Minister at Cuyahoga Valley Church.

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The joyous celebration of life is held each year the Friday before Valentine’s Day, at houses of worship around the world.

The dedicated team at Bright Buddies Adult Day Care in South Euclid said their “buddies” Steve and Kyle circled A Night to Shine on their calendars as soon as they heard about all the fun everyone was having.

“Because for one, they love to go out, they love to have a good time, they love to dress up and they love to socialize,” Bright Buddies caregiver Egypt Kamara said.

Mona Loehr is the best friend and caregiver of 36-year-old Vicky Rogers and said they have been looking forward to Vicky’s first Night to Shine.

“I came home and I said, ‘they have Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine at CVC, you’re going to love it, it’s so exciting.’ We went on the website, we saw the photos,” said Mona.

“It’s wonderful,” Vicky said, beaming. “It’s amazing, I love it, it’s exciting, I’ve never been to a prom before.”

Since being launched more than a decade ago, Night to Shine has grown by leaps and bounds.

This year, the event was being celebrated at nearly a thousand churches in 74 countries around the world.

The driving force behind the movement is an army of volunteers, committed to making the event a memorable experience.

Paul and Daisy Park had a very personal reason to volunteer.

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They want to preserve the ideals of the annual celebration so that one day, their ten-year-old son can have his own Night to Shine.

“We have the privilege of having our son, who has Down syndrome and you know, prior to that, I had limited experience with people with disabilities so this is personal to us. God loves everyone,” said Paul Park.

“I want every one of them to feel truly like kings and queens and that this is the best night that they’re having. We want them to feel so loved,” Daisy Park added.

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