Jingle Bell Sale a "Ringing" Success!

Our recent 3rd annual Jingle Bell Sale was a great success! Shoppers found great gifts for their friends and family members.

BrightStone Adults Go Christmas Shopping!

Yesterday, BrightStone adults and staff visited Target in Cool Springs to go Christmas Shopping. Lots of fun was had as thoughtful gifts were selected and purchased. Community outings are always such a treat!

This event is free and open to the public. Please join us as we celebrate 10 years!

Chuy's Supports BrightStone!

Chuy's recently opened their new restaurant in Cool Springs and chose BrightStone to be their charity partner during their VIP opening weekend. They recently visited BrightStone and brought us a check for $4500. If you haven't dined there yet, you must! Look for a photo of BrightStone adults, in their lobby, that is signed by all, expressing our thanks!

Jingle Bell Sale---Mark Your Calendar!

We love volunteers!

Earlier this week, volunteers came to help clean greenware in our Ceramics work area. WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Williamson County Ag Center Holiday Bazaar

Lots of people stopped by our booth last weekend to learn about BrightStone and purchase products! Thanks to everyone who volunteered that day!

2009 BrightStone Christmas Cards Now Available!

The artists for this year's selection includes: Connie Starko and Abby Speck for the card "Believe in the Magic of the Season"; Jennifer Pewitt for the card "Gloria"; Jock Gilliland and Allen Jordan for the card "Hope"; and Kate Snow for the card "Peace, Joy, Love".

Cards are $5 per pack of 5 cards (of same design) and may be purchased at BrightStone, by calling 790-4888, or online at www.brightstone.org/catalog. The artist for each card is highlighted on the back, as well as information about BrightStone. Sending the cards to special friends and family members will help you keep in touch.....and help build awareness about BrightStone!

BrightStone Selected as Chuy's Charity Partner!

BrightStone was selected as Chuy's charity partner for their VIP Sneak Preview, receiving proceeds from the event as well as building lots of awareness for BrightStone! We saw lots of "old" friends and met many new friends during the course of the day and evening yesterday. Thanks to all who were able to join us at Chuy's! We are looking forward to a great relationship with our new community partner!

BrightStone at Pumpkinfest!

Hope that you were able to visit Franklin's annual PumpkinFest this past weekend! The weather cleared up and many friends, some in very creative costumes, visited our booth! If you missed us, you can always shop our products at our facility at 140 Southeast Parkway Court, Franklin, TN 37067. Come see us!

Halloween Fun!

Many of our adults and staff members came dressed today for Halloween fun! The Bray family provided a witch for our lobby to greet our guests today and bowling at Franklin Family Entertainment Center was very entertaining in our costumes!

BrightStone was able to display this past weekend at the Grand Opening of the Tennessee Equine Hospital. Our Executive Director was able to share with many guests BrightStone's vision of providing residential services, including the care of animals and the deisre to provide hippotherapy for our adults with special needs.

Friday Afternoon Fun

Earlier this week, Barbra Chambers celebrated her birthday----and gave BrightStone a wii!
This afternoon, some of the students gathered to try their skill at wii bowling. Barbra, Jon and Bobby had a great time!

Guess Who's Coming to Town?

Chuy's will be opening their first-ever non-Texas restaurant in Cool Springs the first week of November. BrightStone has been selected to be the beneficiary of their VIP Sneak Preview night and we are looking forward to seeing lots of friends and supporters there!

This morning we were happy to have seniors from Ravenwood High School join us for their "Senior Day of Service". Several students joined us for several hours. They began our morning by singing several musical selections for our adults and staff.....and even let us join in! Then, they participated in morning break, where they were able to chat with our adults, learning more about them. They ended the morning by participating in work sessions, which introduced them to the job training focus of BrightStone as well as the abilities of our adults with special needs. It was an informative morning for them, and we hope that next year's Seniors will come too! (We invited them to become our fans on FaceBook...so we'll be looking for them!)

BrightStone Adults Bowl in Special Olympics

Last Friday BrightStone adults had a great time participating in the Williamson County Special Olympics bowling competition! Everyone's a winner!

Cool air and wet grounds did not dampen the spirits of the golfers at Monday's 8th annual BrightStone Golf Benefit! 35 golfers had a marvelous day at The Governor's Club and enjoyed the company of BrightStone adults, staff and families who joined them for most of the day. The day of golf kicked off the fundraising campaign for this event, and fundraising efforts will continue through December 1. An aggressive goal of $140,000 had been set for this year, and many golfers and support partners are utilizing personalized webpages at www.firstgiving.com/brightstone to help raise their funds. Each golfer has a fundraising goal of at least $3,000.

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!