Annual Salvation Army Dinner Featuring Tim Tebow Raises Funds For Affordable Housing

LAKELAND, FL — Families struggling to find affordable housing in Lakeland received some hope from NFL legend Tim Tebow during The Salvation Army of Lakeland's annual Shining Hope Dinner March 7 to raise funds for families not only experiencing a disaster but those experiencing daily struggles to feed and put a roof over the heads of their families.

Tebow, representing his namesake foundation, the Tim Tebow Foundation, spoke to fans at the sold-out dinner in the auditorium at Victory Church about his mission to support nonprofits dedicated to helping the community's most vulnerable residents, like the Lakeland George W. Jenkins Community of Hope campus and the Pathway of Hope Initiative to stabilize and place families on the path to homeownership.

Faced with a dire need for housing in Lakeland, the Salvation Army of Lakeland recently built a semi-permanent transitional housing facility that added 20 rooms to its existing emergency shelter, 12 new apartments for transitional living and 13 houses for supportive housing.

Related: Salvation Army To Double Housing For Homeless At Lakeland Community

Capt. Jeremy Mockabee, who head The Salvation Army of Lakeland, said Tebow’s Christian faith and his foundation align perfectly with The Salvation Army's mission to provide humanitarian assistance and support to communities both locally and around the world.

As a youngster, Tebow said his goal was to be the NFL's Most Valuable Player. But, amid chasing that dream and traveling the world, witnessing poverty locally and globally, he said he was repeatedly reminded of his faith and calling to serve the most vulnerable members of society, not just playing sports.

He recalled taking his then-fiance and now his wife, Demi-Leigh, to see the Broadway show, "Hamilton," based on Alexander Hamilton, who authored essays non-stop for "The Federalist Papers" as described in the song, "Non-Stop" from the Tony Award-winning musical.

He said it was a song he just couldn't get out of his head.

“How do you write like you need it to survive? How do you write every second you’re alive?" he summarized the song, which emphasizes the need to take action to achieve the desired result. Like Hamilton and his essays, Tebow said people need to be relentless and consistent in their efforts to meet local needs.

“I believe what Mother Teresa said, that true love does take true sacrifice and sometimes it hurts.” Tebow said. “Are you willing to help, to give, to care, to love, to sacrifice not just when it’s easy, but even when it hurts? Will you give until it hurts a little? Let’s join forces and show them that hope is still alive in this world."

Mockabee said residents don't have to look far to find those in need.

“We need your help here in Lakeland. We need your time. We love having volunteers come to our Community of Hope to assist us in any way, whether it is planting a garden, reading to our kids, we are always looking for volunteers," Mockabee said.

To volunteer or donate to The Salvation Army of Lakeland, click here.