Tim Tebow Sponsors 'A Night to Shine' Prom for Special Needs Teens Over Valentine's Day 2016 Weekend

By Leah Marieann Klett
 Tim Tebow Foundation
Tim Tebow surprises guests at the Night to Shine prom event. Tim Tebow Foundation

Just ahead of Valentine's Day, the Tim Tebow Foundation is making it possible for thousands of teens with special needs to enjoy an an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love.

The highly-anticipated "Night to Shine" event will be held across the world on Friday, February 12th from 6-9 pm. As in years before, the Tim Tebow Foundation is sponsoring the event in more than 200 host churches in 48 states and 7 countries. More than 70,000 volunteers will welcome 32,000 honored guests, all of whom are crowned as a king or queen of the prom at the end of the night to drive home the theme of the night: We are all kings and queens in the eyes of God.

The night is packed is packed with glitz and glamor, as participants will receive the royal treatment, complete with limousine rides, a red carpet, shoe shines, a dance floor, and much more.

"The Tim Tebow Foundation has a great passion for people with special needs and wants to change Valentine's Day from simply a celebration of love, to a celebration of God's love," reads a press release made available to The Gospel Herald. "This event will allow people who often hear 'no' to finally hear 'yes' and be clapped for, be applauded, be celebrated. It is an opportunity for us to do what we believe the church is supposed to do... love others."

For attendees of last year's "Night to Shine" event, the highlight of the night was the participation of Tebow himself. The former NFL player, who made an appearance at three separate prom events, reportedly escorted teens down the red carpet, posed for pictures-and even shined shoes -- a tradition he will repeat this year.

"Words cannot adequately express the joy that I experienced during Night to Shine," said Tebow in a subsequent press release. "It is very humbling and overwhelming, but when you simply spend time together, you can begin to turn statistics into stories!"

This year, everyone can follow Night to Shine live on  www.timtebowfoundation.org. The website will provide a live stream and updates as Tebow visits select Night to Shine events throughout the day and night surprising hundreds of volunteers and honored guests. In addition, people can get real-time updates through photos and videos from prom-goers around the world using #NightToShine. The foundation's website will feature feeds from all of your favorite social media platforms.

Reads the press release: "Through this live streaming event, the Tim Tebow Foundation hopes that viewers will have the chance to witness the stories first-hand as people with special needs across the country and around the world are celebrated as the kings and queens of the prom!"