Tim Tebow Lives Out His Christian Belief With ‘Night to Shine,’ Everyday Deeds

“Night to Shine” now has its own music video with highlights of the proms held worldwide, and lyrics sung by Gary LeVox from Rascal Flats in a celebration of this special night that honors those with special needs. They each become king or queen for the night — they are the stars.

Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, “Night to Shine” 2017 was held in more than 375 host churches in all 50 states, and in 22 countries, and by 22 religious denominations, an event that continues to grow.

Each guest is given a crown for their prom, entering on a red carpeted as they are cheered by friends and family for their night to shine. They are presented with corsages and boutonnieres and, once inside, each is helped with hair and makeup, with shoe shining stations and karaoke and the dance.

Tim Tebow began “Night to Shine” because he wanted to be sure those with special needs felt important and loved, and to let them know there is a God who loves them. That’s what “Night to Shine” is all about –to share God’s love around the world. This year’s February 10th night has passed but all those volunteers will be preparing for next year’s event.

Keep in mind that Tim Tebow is 29 years old. The son of missionaries who served in the Philippines, he won the Heisman Trophy while at the University of Florida, was an NFL quarterback with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and New England Patriots, and plays professional baseball with the New York Mets. He is an on-air TV sports commentator, author, and sports radio commentator.

McAuliffe Vetoes ‘Tebow Bill’ for Third Time

Really, Governor? Vetoed again?

On Monday Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe again vetoed — for the third year in a row — Delegate Rob Bell’s “Tebow Bill” that would allow homeschooled students accessibility to public high school sports.

The governor has, it would appear, capitulated once again to the high school sports league and teachers’ union even though homeschool parents pay every tax dollar as parents with public school students.

Florida has had its own version of the Tebow Bill for over 20 years … 29 states in all allow access to their sports programs for homeschooled students.

This was the twelfth year Bell carried the bill to the General Assembly, and in 2015, 2016, and 2017, it passed both the House and the Senate only to be shot down by McAuliffe.

So Rob Bell can fold up shop for another year, and Virginia homeschoolers can only hope he is willing to carry the bill yet a thirteenth time. There’s an election before next year, and McAuliffe will no longer be sitting in the governor’s office.

Concerns Addressed as Optimistism Grows for Passage of ‘Tebow Bill’

Last week when I wrote about Delegate Rob Bell’s HB 1578 aka the Tebow Bill  passing the Virginia House of Delegates, some commenters had questions about allowing homeschooled student access to the public school sports programs even though homeschooling has been a legal educational choice for almost 40 years.

In that original post (see Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’ Passes the House, Now Moves to Senate), it was noted that 29 states already have a Tebow Bill in place. In fact, Florida’s legislation that allowed a youthful Tim Tebow to excel with his local high school team was passed in 1996, long before he was involved, so they have 20 years of experience working with the homeschool community. Because of Tebow’s participation, that school system can lay claim to a Heisman Trophy winner.

Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’ passes … now on to Governor

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The “Tebow Bill,” the homeschool sports access bill that has been advanced in the General Assembly the past ten years by Delegate Rob Bell, passed the state senate today 22-13.  Bell wrote:

Tebow Bill PASSES State Senate 22-13! Many thanks to the Senators who supported it and all the homeschoolers who testified! Please contact Governor McAuliffe and ask him to sign the bill and sign the petition here (http://virginiatebowbill.com/petition/).

Many thanks to my own Senator Emmett Hanger for voting yea.

Tim Tebow hosts ‘Night to Shine’ Valentine proms tonight for special needs students

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“Night to Shine.” Worldwide. 15,000 volunteers. Countless smiles. Overflowing love. Tonight.

Tim Tebow is an impressive young man. Besides his athletic skills on a football field, he has a heart of gold and has proven it throughout the years. As his income has grown, he has shared and given back in many ways, some of which I have written about in the past (see Tim Tebow: Christian, role model, athlete and Tim Tebow Foundation helping Philippines victims and Mother’s Day 2012 … Tim Tebow and his mom).

This Valentine’s Day he will once again help others with “Night to Shine” proms (see Tim Tebow’s Valentine’s game plan: Special needs proms throughout nation):

On Feb. 13, a parade of special guests, each with an entourage and some requiring special accommodations, will appear at the non-denominational church for a night Fasano vows they will never forget. The church is one of dozens across the country taking part in “Night to Shine,” a prom-style evening of dining and dancing for special needs teenagers organized by the foundation of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. The same scenario is playing out at 49 other churches in 26 states as well as Amazing Grace International Ministries, in Nairobi, Kenya, and Ekisa Ministries, in Jinja, Uganda.

Tebow, 27, a devout Christian who quarterbacked the Florida Gators to two national championships and won the Heisman Trophy before a brief NFL career, said the special night will honor teens who struggle with a variety of disabilities.

Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’ passes out of Senate committee

Del. Rob Bell

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Facebook post from Delegate Rob Bell shared the good news:

Tebow Bill Passes Senate Committee 8-6! (First time it has ever gotten this far!) Thanks to all the homeschoolers who came to the Capitol to testify.

After testimony from homeschool students — some barely tall enough to see over the podium — and parents from around the Commonwealth who attended the hearing in the State Capitol, the bill passed out of the Senate Education and Health Committee Thursday morning. It will now be taken up by the full Senate, possibly as soon as Monday, February 16.

Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’ goes to committee Monday a.m.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Delegate Rob Bell’s HB 1626, commonly known as the Tebow Bill, will go before the full House Education Committee for a vote tomorrow morning, Monday, January 26, at 8:30 a.m. For those in Richmond, the hearing will be held in House Room D in the General Assembly Building and all are encouraged to come out and show support or to contact their legislators and ask them to support HB 1626.

A list of the committee members can be found here.

Information about directions and parking can be found here.

For background on the bill and its namesake Tim Tebow, see Will 10th time be charm for Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’? Many thanks to Delegate Bell for his continued effort on behalf of statewide homeschoolers.

 

Will 10th time be charm for Rob Bell’s ‘Tebow Bill’?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

For the tenth year, Delegate Rob Bell (R-58 Charlottesville) has submitted House Bill 1626, also known as the “Tebow Bill,” that would allow homeschoolers to participate in activities and sports at their local high schools.

Delegate Bell expressed optimism that the bill will fare better this year with the state senate in Republican hands. However, in 2012 with Republicans in control of House, Senate, and Governor with the best chance in seven years for passage, Republican Senator Harry Blevins, a retired public school principal, voted with the Democrats against the Tebow Bill, defeating it. Blevins retired from the state senate in 2013. This year Republicans control the House and Senate but not Governor.

Tim Tebow will provide Valentine’s Day special needs proms across nation

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Tim Tebow is an impressive young man. Besides his athletic skills on a football field, he has a heart of gold and has proven it throughout the years. As his income has grown, he has shared and given back in many ways, some of which I have written about in the past (see Tim Tebow: Christian, role model, athlete and Tim Tebow Foundation helping Philippines victims and Mother’s Day 2012 … Tim Tebow and his mom).

This Valentine’s Day he will once again help others (see Tim Tebow’s Valentine’s game plan: Special needs proms throughout nation):