Valentines show their love -- and their moves -- at Dance for the Developmentally Disabled

The man and woman had to use wheelchairs, but their tenderness toward one another was unrestrained.

They sat next to each other on the dance floor in the Family Life Center at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples. He held her hands and smiled at her through the night.

They danced in their wheelchairs to Elvis Presley’s “Fools Rush In.”

Love was everywhere during Friday night’s Valentine’s Dance for the Developmentally Disabled, an annual event hosted by the Naples Civitan Club, a service organization, for the nonprofit Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled. The foundation has events for its members every month.

Couples danced slowly to romantic tunes, and friends got down to “Love Train” and “We Are Family.”

There even was a surprise proposal.

While on the dance floor, Scott McMannus asked Beth Tomkow, his girlfriend of four years, to marry him.

She said yes and flashed her ring to friends.

“She’s soft and nice and can cook,” McMannus, 54, said.

“And we take care of each other.”

The dance marked its 28th year. It brings members of the Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled and their families together for dinner and music.

The walls of the family center at the church were decorated with hearts and cupids. Red tablecloths covered round tables that had seating for about 200 people.

Paper hearts on the tables had sweet messages written on them, such as “You are precious” and “You shine brighter than a star.”

When dinner ended and the music started, dozens left their seats and got on the dance floor.

There were dance competitions, and the winners were awarded teddy bears.

“This is a night for them to feel special and loved and part of the community,” said Karen Govern, executive director of the Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled.

David Franco’s dancing chops earned him a white bear. The 23-year-old loves music and has his ear buds on all the time when he is home.

His mother and younger brother, Martha and Nicholas Franco, went to the dance with him.

“The boys are so happy here that they never miss an activity,” Martha Franco said. “We’re all a family here. Everyone knows and supports one another.”

David Franco was crowned king at the end of the night. He and his queen, Stephanie Paris, walked off stage after being crowned and gave high-fives and hugs to friends and family.

The foundation’s monthly events serve as socializing opportunities for the developmentally disabled adults helped by the organization. It also gives relatives a chance to network and help one another with their families' needs.

Whitey and Pat Ellis, both retired educators from Indiana, have been part of the foundation for about 12 years and head the organization’s bowling league.

“This program is a great support system for parents,” Whitey Ellis said. “It feels good to help each other, especially when there’s someone new in town trying to find out what resources are available for their kids.”

The Ellises had dinner with friends at one table while their son, Dennis, sat with his friends at another table and danced throughout the night.

Dennis Ellis, 46, has won three state gold medals for golf in the Special Olympics. He might move into a group home with others soon.

“They’re adults and they want to be treated like adults,” Pat Ellis said. “I call them kids because they’re all like my kids. But we have to let them make their lives and grow, too."