BrightStone Students Celebrate Christmas

Last Friday BrightStone adults celebrated Christmas--all day long! They exchanged gifts with each other that they had purchased at Target a couple of weeks earlier; staff joined them for "breakfast" for lunch; Santa Claus came to visit and delivered each adult student a new backpack with the BrightStone logo; Ms. Judy came to sing Christmas carols....it was a great day!

BrightStone Staff Christmas Party

Last evening BrightStone staff joined together in the multi-purpose room to exchange gifts and enjoy a wonderful potluck dinner. Lots of fun was had by all!

Theresa received a Publix bag? But it was full of goodies!

Brenda says that now that the Christmas program is over, "Let It Snow!"

And Sherry found Santa Claus!

Additional Christmas Performance Photos

BrightStone's Christmas Performance

Even amidst a surprise snowstorm, BrightStone students and staff performed to a crowd of 200 guests in Jamison Hall at The Factory on Thursday night, December 11th. This move to this wonderful venue was made possible by Williamson Medical Center and The Factory at Franklin. Jo's Custom Cakes and Catering provided a scrumptious array of goodies for the evening!

BrightStone Choir Performs at Steeplechase

Yesterday several of BrightStone's students performed Christmas carols for the residents at Steeplechase. Everyone enjoyed the festive tunes and joined in on many of their favorites!

More Christmas Parade Photos

Christmas Parade Fun

Many BrightStone students and staff members joined in the Christmas parade festivities! We decorated one of our buses and two convertibles, compliments of Alexander Ford and Mercury, to show our Christmas spirit!

You're Invited--BrightStone Christmas Performance--Thursday Night, December 11th

Each year the adults at BrightStone provide a Christmas performance for the community--it's their gift back to the community each year. This year the event has been moved to Jamison Hall at The Factory at Franklin due to the number of guests we have attending! The performance is Thursday night, December 11th, at 6:30 p.m. and the theme is "Here We Come A-Caroling!" The performance is free to attend, and no reservations are required. Refreshments provided by Jo's Custom Cakes and Catering. Community partners include Williamson Medical Center and The Factory at Franklin. Come join us for a wonderful, seasonal heartwarming performance!

BrightStone Partners with Graceworks

BrightStone has partnered with Graceworks during its Jingle Bell Sale by encouraging shoppers to bring canned goods and toys, by providing space for a display booth for Graceworks information, and by providing products for sale that when purchased, Graceworks will then deliver to a senior citizen with their Christmas meal! Also, BrightStone will be donating 10% of the proceeds from their Sneak Peek sale to Graceworks as well!

Shoppers Galore!

Shoppers are checking their lists and buying their gifts at BrightStone's Jingle Bell Sale, which is going on today and tomorrow at BrightStone. The shop is open today until 7 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 to 5. Lots of beautiful and unique items are available. You're sure to find just that perfect item that you're looking for!

Check us out on GivingMatters.com

Did you know that BrightStone has a profile on GivingMatters.com? It is a resource that is available in the Middle Tennessee area for donors and funders and we are required to maintain an updated profile on the system. GivingMatters.com recently received a "facelift" and now has many additional capabilities. Check us out at http://www.givingmatters.com/

Sshhh---Christmas Presents!

The adults at BrightStone have drawn names for Christmas. Today, they went shopping at Target to purchase gifts. They had a great time finding just the right present for the friend whose name they had drawn!

FRANKLIN'S BEST KEPT SECRET--BRIGHTSTONE'S JINGLE BELL SALE--THIS WEEK!

BrightStone's second annual Jingle Bell Sale will take place this Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, at BrightStone. Available for sale will be a multitude of unique, high quality gift items and decorative items for the holidays. New for this year will be our nativity sets, 'Oh Christmas Tree' pots, gingerbread gift pots, ceramic petal bowls, and 2008 Christmas cards. Favorites to return include the Snowman pot, the Dakota snowmen, and more. Hours for the sale are 10 to 7 on Friday and 10 to 5 on Saturday.

Throughout the weekend, we are accepting toys and food items for our neighbor, Graceworks! Help us....help others!

Bowling with Ensworth High School

On Friday, students from Ensworth High School spent the morning at BrightStone and went bowling with our adult students. Thank you, Ensworth, for learning more about services you can provide in your community!

Jingle Bell Sale--coming Dec 5th and 6th!

Come join us on Friday and Saturday, December 5th and 6th, at BrightStone to shop for friends and family members on your list! You'll find unique, high quality, one-of-a-kind items, ranging in price from $4 to $35!

Volunteers from Franklin High School

Tuesday night was our monthly volunteer night. We had lots of help, especially from the Student Council of Franklin High School, coordinated by Jordan Bennett, sophomore. These nights are so much fun and accomplish so much for BrightStone.

Jon's Birthday

Monday we celebrated Jon Ferrell's birthday. Happy Birthday Jon!

Performance at Christian Women in the Marketplace Meeting

Today about half of the BrightStone adults performed a taste of the upcoming Christmas program as a sneak peek at the Christian Women in the Marketplace luncheon. They were interested in learning more about us, so Ms. Tina told them all about BrightStone, while Ms. Mamie and Ms. Bonnie set up our products to sell.

Visit from Trixie and Libby

Our favorite greyhounds came to visit today! They even modeled their clothes for us! Here they are in their raincoats!

Welcome Back Mary!

We have been missing one of our favorite and most dedicated volunteers recently. We were so happy to have Mary Barnes back with us today! WELCOME BACK MARY!

Pumpkinfest

BrightStone had a wonderful day at the 2008 Pumpkinfest event in downtown Franklin! Lots of people stopped by our booth to see and purchase our products! Pictured are two BrightStone students, Kate Snow and Kelly Morgan, who stopped by to help during the day.

$10,000 Received from Middle TN Electric Membership Customers Care

BrightStone recently received a $10,000 grant from the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Customers Care board to initiate an upgrade to the Learning Lab.

Happy Halloween!

Today was lots of fun! Costumes, bowling, games, candy, jokes.......