A NIGHT TO SHINE
A WORTHY CAUSE BY THE TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION AND YOUR LOCAL CHURCH.
The wife and I are blessed to spend time going back and forth between Arizona and Illinois. We attend churches in both locales that are similar in their programs and teachings. Truth be told, we certainly don’t go as often as we should, but when we don’t go, we can watch the services on inline.
The two churches we attend are Gathering Point in Bourbonnais Illinois and Highlands Church in Scottsdale Arizona. These are just two churches of hundreds internationally to participate in an absolutely amazing prom-like program called Night to Shine, which celebrates those people with special needs the week before Valentines Day. Should you have or know a special-needs person, would want to volunteer, want to donate, or possibly get your church to participate, you can learn more about Night to Shine on the Night to Shine website:
https://timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine
While each program is individually their own to their particular area, there are certain basic programs they all honor with support and resources from the Tim Tebow foundation. Mr. Tebow is a former NFL football player, who played primarily for the Denver Broncos. He played college football with the Florida Gators where he became the first underclassman to win the Heisman Trophy. Night to Shine is just one of the charitable foundations founded by Tebow.
The Night to Shine festivities include a red carpet reception welcome for their guests and their chaperones. My son-in-law Matt Schore participates as a chaperone/date, and my granddaughter, Rhaya DePaolo, is also a volunteer, hoping to be a chaperone.
Guests are given gifts and limo rides, to be met with raucous welcomes from volunteers to get everyone’s juices flowing for the evening. Hair and makeup stations are available to get the ladies all spruced up, as well as shoeshine stands for the guys. Karaoke and a catered dinner are part of the evening’s festivities to make every guest feel special. Additionally, there are also Game rooms, Sensory rooms and Respite rooms for guests, parents and caregivers.
The night includes photo’s, dancing, and with each guest being honored as a King or Queen – “the way God sees them every day.” Says the website, “Through the years, we have truly seen this event transform into a movement of the Holy Spirit through churches, honored guests, volunteers, and supporters, all seeking to give glory to God by celebrating and advocating for people with disabilities and the value of life.”
Anyone with special needs, 14 years old and older is invited to the complimentary event. A guest or their family only need register ahead of time with the church they will be attending, who will be provided the necessary information for the event. Volunteers can register to serve and connect with people with special needs. A local host will provide necessary information and training.
If you would like to know more or donate to the global movement of Night to Shine and support events worldwide through the Tim Tebow Foundation, please got to:
https://community.timtebowfoundation.org/give/482305/#!/donation/checkout
Or find and donate to your nearest participating church at:
https://timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine/#map.
The Gathering Point website in Bourbonnais IL website::
and the Highlands website in Scottsdale AZ is:
The Tim Tebow Foundation believes every person on earth is God’s image-bearer and worthy of love, and that if we treated each person as God sees us, the world would change.
It’s a very worthy cause, folks.

