Rolling Meadows church hosts Night to Shine event for people with special needs
A Rolling Meadows church was a host site for a socially-distanced, parade-style event last month geared to those with special needs.
Churches around the globe simultaneously came together on Feb. 12 for the Night to Shine 2021. According to organizers, the annual Tim Tebow Foundation event is centered on God's love to celebrate people with special needs. Because of the pandemic, outdoor parades and virtual prom dances were held.
Meadows Christian Fellowship in Rolling Meadows was a local host. More than 100 volunteers from the church, Rolling Meadows High School, Clearbrook, St. Peter Lutheran Church and the city of Rolling Meadows, including Mayor Joe Gallo, worked the event.
MCF received a grant from Tebow's foundation and Rosati's donated 40 pizzas. Susan De Witt, who is with MCF, said safety measures were in place for their honored guests.
"Many adults with disabilities do not understand the circumstances of COVID and miss their families, work places and 'routine-ness' of their lives," De Witt said.
"This has left many in our local special needs community feeling alone or alienated, which is why it was important for Meadows to stand with the Tim Tebow Foundation in this way to honor them, ensuring they know they are valued and loved."
Around 128 people ages 14 and older from throughout the suburbs registered. More than 40 cars were in the "Shine Thru" parade, some carrying multiple guests.
Despite the snow and cold temperatures, volunteers decorated cars with flags, banners, signs and streamers. The Rolling Meadows High School cheer and pep squads led the parade, followed by Rolling Meadows police officers.
After the parade, guests picked up pizza to take home and attend a virtual prom with music, dancing, prom favors, messages from Tebow and the crowning of each guest as king or queen.
Night to Shine coordinator Sharon Rickerson said MCF started Caring Friends Ministry in 2014 to reach out to adults with intellectual disabilities. Including people with "differing" abilities is a valued conviction at the church.
"Faith is a gift from God," Rickerson said. "It is not dependent upon any level of intelligence. We aspire to be the kind of church that purposes to help people of all abilities to know God and feel his love.
"Night to Shine is another way we can bless and honor a community we have grown to dearly love. Our friends with special needs look forward to this event every year, but this year especially so due to the social isolation and separation from family that came with COVID."
This was the third year MCF participated in Night to Shine.
Tebow is a former professional football quarterback who started the foundation in 2010 with a mission to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.