Tebow’s mom to speak at benefits

Related Photos

Tebow

Discussion

February 20, 2013

Tebow’s mom to speak at benefits

Tom Lavis tlavis@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Wed Feb 20, 2013, 11:13 PM EST

JOHNSTOWN — Pam Tebow, mother of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, will speak at fundraisers in Johnstown and Altoona in March to benefit Precious Life Inc.

Pam Tebow will speak during a breakfast at 9 March 23 at the Holiday Inn, 250 Market St. in downtown Johnstown. That will follow her appearance at 7 p.m. March 22 at the Jaffa Shrine, 2200 Broad Ave., Altoona.

Precious Life is a pregnancy care ministry serving central Pennsylvania for 28 years. It has offices in Altoona, Johnstown and Bedford.

Scott Manganella, Precious Life executive director, said Tebow will share her riveting story about her difficult pregnancy with Tim and how she chose life over abortion.

The notoriety of the Tebow family increased when Tim won the Heisman Trophy following his sophomore football season with the Florida Gators.

After ESPN aired a portion of the Pam Tebow interview, during which she said she refused to abort “Timmy” despite medical advice, she has been given a national platform to encourage the pro-life message.

In 2010, mother and son appeared in a Super Bowl commercial that celebrated family and life.

Manganella expects a capacity crowd of 1,000 people to hear Tebow’s address in Altoona, as well as 250 attendees in Johnstown.

“We hope to raise about $40,000 from both events,” Manganella said.

“We also will be taking offerings at each location.”

Manganella said that, with enough successful campaigns, it is his hope to establish a similar benefit dinner in Johnstown.

“Our organization offers help and hope to those who have neither when facing such an issue,” Manganella said.

Precious Life operates a fully licensed maternity home in Hollidaysburg it says offers a loving environment where a young woman can plan for her future.

“Up to six residents may stay for up to 30 days after delivery,” Manganella said. “If long-term arrangements are needed, we also have apartments available in Johns-

town and Altoona.”

The organization also serves a growing sister ministry in Romania.

“We started in Romania in 2005 introducing abstinence and purity programs in high schools there,” Manganella said. “We are in contact with 2,000 teenagers every month.”

The organization provides free pregnancy testing, confidential counseling, assistance with practical needs and housing for displaced pregnant women.

Manganella said he and others are eager to hear Tebow relate her life experiences as a mother, a missionary and teacher.

“We expect to sell out each event given the success of having over 900-plus attend our dinner last year to hear our guest speaker, Ruth Graham, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham,” Manganella said.

The cost of the breakfast in Johnstown is $10 a person. Tickets are available by calling 269-4391.

Tickets for the Altoona dinner cost $20 a person and may be purchased by calling 944-2669.