Ice Cream..You Scream...We Love Ice Cream!

BrightStone adults were treated to an ice cream party earlier this week, by volunteers June Caldwell and Doris Alexander. They came prepared with tubs of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, toppings, sauces and cookies. What a special treat! Thank you Ms. June and Ms. Doris!

Belmont University Psychology Club Volunteers!

Members of the Belmont University Psychology Club volunteered at BrightStone recently, helping to sanitize and clean equipment and fixtures, as well as assist with cleaning ceramics greenware. We're so blessed to have such great community partners!

Franklin Civitan Club Hosts Picnic for BrightStone!

Last evening members of the Franklin Civitan Club invited BrightStone adults, families and staff members to Jim Warren Park for an evening of BBQ and Bingo! We had a great crowd, good food (Whitt's BBQ), and lots of fun! At the end of the evening, a check was presented to BrightStone to assist with our needs. Thank you, members of the Franklin Civitan Club!

HCA bowls with BrightStone!

HCA employees encourage BrightStone bowlers during HCA "Caring for the Community" day!

HCA Caring for the Community Day

As part of their "Caring for the Community" campaign, yesterday HCA employees descended upon BrightStone early in the morning and worked, worked, worked! They painted, cleaned ceramics, organized our library, accompanied our adults on a bowling excursion, assisted in the work areas, tutored computer usage, and even played bingo! Thanks to HCA for allowing and encouraging their employees to support and involved themselves in the nonprofit community!

BrightStone's Two Finalists in the CNM Salute to Excellence Awards!

BrightStone's Executive Director and Teacher's Assistant have been named as finalists in the CNM Salute to Excellence Awards!

Brenda Hauk, Executive Director is a finalist for the Bank of America CEO of the Year Award. Martha Oldham, Teacher's Assistant is a finalist for the Baptist Healing Trust and Erie Chapman Servant's Heart Award.

Finalists were recently treated to a reception at the home of Vanderbilt University's Chancellor Zeppos. Featured in the photo with the finalists is BrightStone's Board Chair, Jim Hinton.

Only 79 more donors needed!

Update to BrightStone's "Above and Beyond" campaign---we have received over $22,000 toward our goal of $30,000. We only need 79 more donors at a minimum of $100 each to reach our goal.....which will then qualify for a matching gift from a donor! Won't you be one of our needed 79?

BOWLABILITY--What fun!

BrightStone's first annual BOWLABILITY was held on August 17, with 45 registered teams. Over $34,000 has been raised for BrightStone through the fundraising efforts of the bowlers!

Teams included the following: Katy's Klub, Jim's Birthday Party, Holy Bowlers, AlleyKatz, Cousins Rock, Alligator Skunks, The Bowling Stones, Pin Gwens, Great Balls of Fire, Harriet's Holy Rollers, The Crunch Bunch, The Gutter Girls, Ninja Tuttles, PB&J's, Vol Fans, Kim's Gang, Gold Lanterns, IMI Ready-Mix Rollers, WCS Sparkys, Rolling Thunder, Murdock's A-Team, Leiper's Creepers, The A-Team, Beyond Precision, The Mis-Splits, First Bank, Cubs, Jenny's Pals, The Lady Bells, The Cobras, Tara Bug Twisters, Knuckleheads, The Holiday Guys, Team "24", Jon Jon's STARS, Pinball Wizards, First Citizens National Bank Strikers, Sommet One, Disciple Sunday School Class, The Pin Heads, and Al's Allies.

Most spirited teams were Harriet's Holy Rollers from Franklin FUMC, and Tara Bug Twisters from The Fabric House. Top fundraising team was Jon Jon's STARS (STAR Physical Therapy) and runner up was Great Balls of Fire, a BrightStone friends and family team. Top fundraiser was Dr. Craig Ferrell with runner-up being Mary Ashley.

Top scoring team first session was IMI Ready-Mix Rollers and second session was The Holiday Guys. Top scoring individuals were Steven Treadway (Vol Fans) and Mark Pierson (Rolling Thunder) who tied with a 203 in the first session, and Monte James (Holiday Guys) from the second session with a score of 191.

Photos were taken by Brentwood Camera Club and were awesome!

We were so impressed with the creativity in the names, and t-shirts, and even costumes....we can't wait till next year! This event will be continued in 2010, and will expand to two nights! So stay tuned!