A Letter from Tim Tebow
Hello December 20th, 2017
Share This Story
As 2017 ends, I want to tell you why we at TTF do we what we do. I also want to share an exciting vision of Night to Shine, which you may know is my favorite night of the year.
The “Why” Behind the Vision
Fifteen years ago, while on a mission trip in the Philippines, I met a boy named Sherwin who would forever change my life. When I introduced myself to him, I noticed his feet were on backward. What was more telling was his sadness at being treated in his village as an outcast, worthless. This broke my heart. From that moment on, I made it my mission to fight for people like Sherwin, to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Little did I know that God would take this passion and transform it into the Tim Tebow Foundation.
When TTF started, we created our mission statement with Sherwin in mind: to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. I have been blown away and humbled by all the ways God has allowed TTF to serve… by providing children in the Philippines physical and spiritual healing through more than 1,400 surgeries at the Tebow CURE Hospital, by making dreams come true for more than 75 children with life-threatening illnesses through W15H and creating hundreds of Brighter Days, by serving thousands of patients and their families who visit Timmy’s Playrooms in children’s hospitals, by providing Adoption Aid to 74 families welcoming children with special needs from around the world into their forever families, by ensuring life’s essentials are available to orphans in four countries, by encouraging service to others through 22,000 Team Tebow members… but in this season I am particularly passionate about one of our initiatives - Night to Shine, our worldwide prom night for people with special needs.
In 2015, TTF launched our first Night to Shine. Here’s something you may not know. This was originally intended to be a one-time event celebrating the five-year anniversary of TTF. After rallying together 44 host churches, welcoming 7,000 guests, and working with 15,000 volunteers all over the country, God opened the doors for a worldwide movement. He began to build a team of thousands of people committed to the idea of celebrating and loving people with special needs. Wow!
Night to Shine continued to grow more than we ever expected with 201 host churches in 2016 and 375 host churches this past February. Now, on February 9, 2018, more than 500 churches from 16 countries and 175,000 volunteers will rally together to celebrate over 90,000 kings & queens of the prom.
This is because of YOU. Through your willingness to say yes, to step up, to care, and to love on these kids, almost 100,000 people with special needs will be celebrated like royalty. I can’t thank you enough.
Night to Shine is more than the limo rides, the red carpets, the fancy dresses, and the shiny shoes. It’s special because our guests realize, some for the first time, that they’re worth it. They are told they’re special and that they’re loved. And at the end of the night, when each and every one of them is crowned king or queen of the prom, they go home knowing that God loves them and has a special, unique, and purposeful plan for their life.
Right now, we are offering an exciting opportunity to continue the growth of Night to Shine. And with your help, we can make it happen! As He usually does, God has once again surpassed our expectations by providing approximately 50 more host churches than we had planned for Night to Shine 2018. We are beyond thrilled at the potential of blessing more families and communities with this special event. While our financial partnership with each church looks different, my team and I have committed ourselves to raising the more than $3.5 million needed to fully fund this upcoming event. This amount will ensure we can open the doors to 90,000 guests with special needs, including those attending the 50 additional host churches. Would you be willing to lock arms with us and help crown more kings and queens this coming February?
Friend, you and I are a team. Together we work to change lives, to make a difference, and to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. TTF would not be where it is today without your prayers, your love, your commitment, and your support. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for working with us over the years to change so many lives. Thank you for your continued partnership. And thank you for being willing to consider welcoming more kings and queens on my favorite night of the year!
God bless,
Tim Tebow
Founder & Chairman
Tim Tebow Foundation
To make a gift in support of Night to Shine, or any one of our ministries you are passionate about, please donate here.
You can also mail gifts to our secure lockbox at:
Tim Tebow Foundation
2220 County Road 210 West
Suite 108, PMB 317
Jacksonville, FL 32259
