Charity group, church hold prom for students with special needs in Valencia

VALENCIA, SANTA CLARITA (KABC) -- On a hot Southern California night, a cool prom called "A Night to Remember" arrived in Santa Clarita.

The free event honors students with special needs between the ages of 14 to 30.

"It's priceless. I just feel that those children are extremely special to all of our hearts and they teach us how we should be," organizer Julie Gordon said.

The event originated in San Diego five years ago and made its way to Valencia in partnership with Real Life Church and its annual charity. Every honored guest arrived in a limousine and was introduced to a red carpet complete with paparazzi.

All guests were also offered a free tuxedo or prom dress, and hundreds of volunteers made sure the night of dancing and fun left a lasting impact.

"I see a lot of kids coming out of here with big, beaming smiles on their face. They're being celebrated for the first time ever, they're being recognized at a high level," Pastor Rusty George said. "I see the face of their parents who are seeing the joy in their kid's eyes and it's overwhelming for them and as for me as well."