March 2016 BrightStone Newsletter

Helping adults with special needs

BrightStone provides a comprehensive work, social support and future residential community for adults with special needs, expanding their potential, helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually

When BrightStone opened its doors in 1999, it was with the vision of one day having land and building a campus that would meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges. Not only would the program on this campus provide job training, life skills classes and therapeutic activities but also residential services.

“What will happen to my loved one when I am no longer able to provide care,” is the heart-cry we hear from families over and over again. This new learning campus and our broader vision to provide residential options is our community’s answer to that question and we’re so excited to see the first step towards that vision to be fulfilled in the purchase of this land.

I s s u e 4 8 M a r c h 2 0 1 6

2 From the Director

3 Christmas Program

4-5 Year in Review 2015

6 BrightStone Partners

7 From the Heart of a Parent

www.BrightStone.org

S t a y C o n n e C t e d w i t h B r i g h t S t o n e o n l i n e :

BrightStoneTN

@BrightStoneInc

Executive Director Brenda Hauk signs the closing documents to officially purchase the

land with Board Treasurer, Don Stinnett!

Although it will be a few years before the campus will be ready to open, beginning this project is an answer to the prayers of so many families in our community. Please join us in thanking God for His faithful provision and praying for continued guidance as we move forward on this exciting endeavor!

BrightStone Purchases 138 Acres in Williamson County

Vision Takes Flight

140 Southeast Parkway CourtFranklin, TN 37064

Phone: 615-790-4888

C o n t a C t U S :

March 2016March 2016

SIMPLY: Sign In or Create an account at kroger.com/communityrewards 1. ADD your Kroger Plus Card information 2. Search for BrightStone in Community Reward 3. Select “BrightStone” 4. Renew September 1st each year THEN: Every time you shop or purchase gas 4% automatically goes to BrightStone! Questions? Call BrightStone (615) 790-4888

MAKE IT COUNTGive by Shopping

Music That Touches the Heart 2016

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.”

To God who watches over these underserved and many times overlooked individuals that we serve at BrightStone, we give our praise and gratitude for bringing BrightStone to this place in our journey. After many years of searching, praying, and hoping, God has provided land on which to build the BrightStone dream!

We have purchased 138 acres!

From the very beginning of BrightStone our vision has been to help adults with intellectual and developmental challenges to have a chance at life – all of life. A chance to grow to their highest level of independence and skill – a chance to become whatever they want to be and to do whatever they want to do. A chance to choose their own friends and recreation activities – a chance to choose their own place to live and who to live with. To have these opportunities they must have relevant experiences, individualized training, and various opportunities. When all this is provided in an environment of loving care, these with their own abilities can and do experience success.

The BrightStone campus will be a model facility and program which will showcase the abilities and skills of adults who can become productive citizens when given the chance. They will learn job skills and productive work habits; be able to choose from a variety of courses, such as, functional academics, health and physical wellness, cooking and nutrition, computer, independent living skills, and community awareness; and be provided opportunities for physical therapy, animal therapy, music therapy, aquatic therapy, and hippo therapy (therapeutic horseback riding). All this on one campus where they can experience community and connectivity.

We are grateful to this community who has helped bring BrightStone to where it is today. And now we go forward, together, to see what great things God has in store for adults in Middle Tennessee as we build a brighter future for these precious souls who happen to have a few special needs.

From the DirectorV

olu

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ers

Lisa Gabhart

Our Front Desk Volunteer, Lisa, is amazing. Thank you for choosing to give your time to BrightStone!

We are currently looking for Front Desk Volunteers, like Lisa, who can commit to giving their time at BrightStone one full or half day, every week. Please

contact Ashley if you’re interested in volunteering:

[email protected] or (615) 790-4888

Christmas Program

More than 600 people were in attendance to see BrightsSone’s wonderful Christmas Program put on by the students under the direction of our volunteer music teacher, Judy Fincannon. The program was held on December 10, 2015 at Liberty Hall in the Factory at Franklin and was a huge success. Many people enjoyed shopping and purchased items made by the students. In fact, it was a record night for the BrightStone store. Thank you to Judy for all your hard work, to the amazingly talented BrighStone students, and to the community for your continued support!

Jim Hinton Memorial Golf Benefit 2015

Each year, Chef Jo, of Jo’s Custom Cakes & Catering, her family and their staff so generously donate the catering and cake for our Christmas Program. The food is always wonderful and the cake is unbelievable. This year, Chef Jo created an angel cake inspired by the program cover art. Isn’t it incredible? And it was delicious too. Chef Jo’s creations are always a highlight of the event. Thank you so much Chef Jo and Jo’s Custom Cakes & Catering!

www.joscakesandcatering.com

Stay tuned for details about BrightStone’s upcoming songwriter’s night benefit. Past entertainers include: Wynonna Judd, Trace Adkins, Michael McDonald,

Lee Greenwood and Ricky Skaggs. BrightStone student Kate not only came in first place with her team, as the first all women’s team to win our tournament, but

she also won the putting competition. Congratulations, Kate!

L to R: Kevin Gabhart (benefit chair), Kate (BrightStone student), Amanda Humphres (family member), & Debra Robichaux (family member)

Guests had their pictures made with Santa in our photo booth, like BrightStone student Stephanie

Many guests feel that the BrightStone Christmas Program is the perfect way to kick off the holidays!

Students enjoy the performance almost as much as our guests and start working on the program in July.

Exciting announcement about this year’s performers coming soon!

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise over $113,000!

Recent Event...Coming Soon...

March 2016March 2016

Staff to Student Ratio 1:4

456 Sets of Vitals Taken

4,000 Christmas Cards Counted,

Folded & Packaged

900 Individual Taco Salads Served

4,480 Consumable Products Produced and Packaged

1,750 Pounds of Clay Glazed

More than 2,800 Volunteer Hours Donated, Saving

BrightStone over $30,000

What Your Support Made Possible in 2015

How Far Do the Students Travel to Get to BrightStone?

Family or Caregiver

BrightStoneBus Riders

Other

Services

40%50%

10%

How Do the Students Get to BrightStone?

Student Age Ranges

Num

ber o

f Stu

dent

s

1,444 Birthday Card Signatures

What are the Ages of the Students at BrightStone?

Funding Sources

Fundraising Events

36%

Student Tuition & Fees

29%

Individuals & Corporations

23%

Foundations & Grants 7%

Student Produced

Products 2%

In Kind Donations 2%Other 1%

16% of Student Population are on Scholarship

$22,286 in Scholarships

March 2016March 2016 Partnerswe gratefUlly aCknowledge the general ContriBUtionS of the following individUalS,

foUndationS, and CorporationS reCeived from SeptemBer 1 - deCemBer 31, 2015. thank yoU very mUCh!

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these lists. Please accept our sincerest apology if a name has been misspelled or omitted and please notify us so that our records can be corrected. Due to the overwhelming generosity of our donors, Sustainers ($99 and under donors) were not included in the list but each donation is deeply appreciated. Thank you!

Founders Aon Risk Solutions Sean and Monica CoakleyKevin and Lisa GabhartRuss and Elvia HarmsHCA FoundationJohn R. Lindahl FoundationJim and Phyllis LackeyMiddle Tennessee Electric Customers CareFred and Martha NanceNewstead Foundation Don and Elizabeth Stinnett

Guardians A.O. Smith FoundationJackie and Norma AldridgeMike and Denise AlexanderBrent and Cheryl BachmanBeecher Carlson Insurance ServicesBrenda and Colin Reed Advised Fund Scott and Mary Pat DavisHerb and Elaine DuellEnableComp, LLCKellum FerreeLorraine FerrellFirst Farmers & Merchants BankFirst Tennessee Bank Ford Lincoln of FranklinGaw Land Partnership LPEddie and Denise GoodwinCharles and Kathleen GregoryLes and Brenda HastyPhil and Connie HastyJeff and Leeann HaysHCA, Inc.Hexpol Compounding NC Inc.Linda HintonKent and Kate HoldcroftPaul HoltzingerHumphres & Associates PCHuntington National BankIngram Entertainment, Inc.Jessie Barker McKellar FoundationDavid and Marilyn KnightKPMG, LLPKroger Community RewardsDan and Cathy LaufmanMarsh & McLennan CompaniesNehemiah FoundationMartha OldhamJoe OllePaul Hasty & Son Plumbing Co., Inc.Daniel and Karen PughR. Allen Stewart TrustRandall and Sadie Baskin Advised Fund Durl and Christie ReevesSteve and Jane RichardsDebra RobichauxPhilip RobichauxStephen RodolfRichard and Peggy SchweinhartKnut and Monica SkjonbergNeal and Joan SmithBob and Cathy StallworthDon Street, Jr.Collin SuttieBerkleyMedThe Dorothy Cate and Thomas F. Frist FoundationThe Jordan Family FoundationTommy and Diane ThompsonDick and Dottie WellsDr. and Mrs. Douglas C. York

Benefactors Glenn and Beverly AdamsJohn and Elizabeth BeasleyBerkshire Hathaway Home Services Steve BolenCarl and Kathryn BrasserTerry and Susan BridgesPhil and Pam BrownJohn and Tammy BuidaStewart and Shanan CampbellJeff and Kathy CartwrightKathryn CollinsCommonwealth Paving Inc.Franklin Civitan Club, Inc.David Gibbs

Robert and Dee GrimesLee and Barbara GrubbsJulie GutzmannJillian HarrisKay HaukRichard and Janice HedgesTony and Patty HintonMark and Laura JerniganMilton and Denice JohnsonStephen and Sammye LeeFrank and Diane MayDavid and Shannon McGahrenKevin and Michelle MyersJack and Necie PattersonPerma PlateGary and Nancy PriceDan ProctorDr. Matthew RogersJerry and Andrea RookerBill RutherfordJoe and Brenda SteakleySummers FoundationSarah WebsterWiggs Haun & BohanRodney and Selma WilsonLarry and Eleanor Yarborough

PatronsKate and Trevor AcyBrian AncharskiDavid and Linda AndersonJanet ArmstrongAtemaMark and Joan AtwoodDavid and Linda AusbrooksDavid AviromScott BagwellBill and Susan BaileySarah BallWanda BallHarold and Vicki BandyJim BandySam BartholomewBDY Environmental LLCElizabeth BeardAndy and Martha BeasleyFrank and Judy BellJohn BerryJulian and Jayne BibbSarah E. BlairRobert BlasioNita and Donnie BlevensLisa BlomquistNick BradleyBitsy BrockmanJohn and Becky BrownSusan BuellJohn and Bonnie CageEric and Rita CariniCheryl CarrLarry and Anita CashMichael W. ChambersMike ChambersAileen ClarkW.H. CobleCommunity Health Systems FoundationMargaret Jo CooperSam and Dorothy CoulterBradley DarrTodd and Bonnie DavisThomas and Nan DoddHarold and Faye DowellJeffrey and Rosemary DrakeScott and Lou Anne DulaneyNancy DunnShay EskewElizabeth EvansBruce and Linda FairrisDawn FaulknerJaylon and Judy FincannonAlicia FittsDavid and Lisa FlowColleen FogleFranklin Orthopaedic Sports MedicineAndy and Bonnie FreehEric and Cathy FreyJay and Holly GawDanny GeoffrionDaniel Glenn

Doug and Peggy GlennMark and Pam GodwinDon GowerJoe and Desa HaaseRandy HallChristine HargisLarry and Catherine HastyRandy and Kim HatleySam and Glenna HazenTim and Dian Heavrin, Sr.Allen and Susan HenningerRon and Sara HindsCharlie and Hildegarde HintonGary and Sharon HintonGerard and Ginger HintonKathleen HorrellJake HughesJoe and Sandra HuttsPreston and Beth IngramDavid IvyWalter and Sue IwanowskiAlan and Carolyn JacksonLajuanda JohnsonDavid and Tanya JonesMack JordanCliff JusticeScott and Mary KelleyAnne KennyGene and Judith KirbyNancy M. LanghansJanice LawBob and Barbara LaymanMike and Martha MachemehlElizabeth and Joe MarleyCharles and Roxie MarstonRonald MarstonJohn Masley Kerry and Lynne McCallaVirginia McDowellJim Schleicher and Livvy McGeheeMichael A. Orber & Associates, IncRobert MinorDwayne and Linda MitchamLoyd and Pam MorganBob and Dee MorrisonMayna MosesChuck and Catherine MuellerTed and Janet MurphyPaul and Lezlie MurrayBob and Kay MusgroveAl and Carol NationsHal NewbanksLinda NewtonBilly and Donna NicholsSusan NortonJon and Adrianne OhrtJohnnie and Nancy PewittMaurice PinsonDarrell and Julee RachelsChris and Rosalie RaineyEmily ReevesChris and Kristin RigsbyTLCJ Rock Family TrustBetty RoseKen and Michele RothAndy and Tammy RudolphCharlotte RuleBarbara SatterwhiteAndrea Scheblein Therapy Services, Inc.Dorothy ScurlockTerri SiscoKen SolesbyEmma IncBret and Judy SpicerHagan & Laura StoneSam TerzichThomas DrugsJames ThompsonTravelers Community Connections United Way of Metropolitan NashvilleJan Van EysDr. Anthony VaughnRonald WalkerTed and Joan WalkerJarrod and Lia WatsonPerry and Ann WatsonBruce WeaverW Fred WilliamsRussell and Pamela Willis

David and Lori WillsonDon and Emily WilsonTommy and Carol Ann WilsonBetty WiseWoodmen of the WorldTommy and Melissa WootenPeter YouttJon Zamora

In Memory Of: George and Martha Aldridge by Jackie and Norma AldridgePatrick and Johnnie Aldridge by Jackie and Norma AldridgeSally Hays Richardson Barnes by Jackie and Norma AldridgeWilma Bearden by Frederick and Celia Bearden Steven and Sharon Brock Jillian Harris Thomas and Katherine McGill David Partee Priscilla TurnerAdelaide S. Bigham by Jackie and Norma AldridgeZi Bolen by James Archer John Akers Stephen Bolen Tammy Bolen Jim and Nancy Bray E. P. and Nancy Burke Lauri Kaye Burns Robert Chase George and Janice Delk Kennith and Kathryn Delk Jack Edwards Elizabeth Feinberg Jaylon and Judy Fincannon Alicia Fitts Herbert and Janelle Forbes Douglas and Peggy Glenn John and Janice Green Gary and Brenda Hauk Rhea and Kim Holly Mack Jordan Gerald and Nancy Knief Jayme Lakey Thomas and Christy Lamb Anthony LaPorte Donald and Peggye Moss Fred & Donna Parker, “The Bombers” Van and Aileen Schwendimann Larry and Joetta Snodgrass Julianne Spencer Spring Hill Eye Care Spring Hill High School (CTE Dept)Thomas and Claudia Sullivan Mike and Emily VelozKeith Bush by Aubrey M. BushJimmy Crowell by Jackie and Norma AldridgeCraig Ferrell by Caleb and Beth Bell Lucas and Sara Boyd Lorraine Ferrell Fidelity Chamber Fund Douglas Hellerson Michael Lawrence Gayla Mabry John and Christine McBryan Cary and Robin Pulliam TLCJ Rock Trust Fund Carolyn Stevens Betty Wise Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wylie III Bobby G. Finley by Jackie and Norma AldridgeBen Hauk by Susan BuellNorman Henson by Jackie and Norma AldridgeJim Hinton by Bruce Jones George and Cecille Shannon Stephen J. Rodolf Nicholas and Angela WasserzugKatie Jeter by Edward Newton

Shirley Jordan by Mayna MosesJohn Kelly by Barbara KellyJames Gilbert Lawrence by Michael LawrenceFred McDowell by Virginia McDowell Eric Moeller by Kim and Monica Fleer Gary and Brenda HaukWayman and Jessie Norman by Paul and Judy NormanMartha Clay Sadler andKarl Benjamin Sadler by Jackie and Norma AldridgePatsy A. Sharp by Jackie and Nortma AldridgeEdna Stacey by Jackie and Norma AldridgeGus and Sara Whaley by Jackie and Norma AldridgeShirley Ann Whaley by Jackie and Norma AldridgeMary Elizabeth Warren by Jackie and Norma AldridgeJulie Campbell Wallace by Jackie and Norma AldridgeWallace W. Whitworth, Jr. by Jackie and Norma Aldridge

In Honor Of:Ronald & Nancy Aldridge & Family by Jackie and Norma AldridgeWayne & Jane Aldridge and Family by Jackie and Norma AldridgeDoris Alexander by Barry and Jackie Alexander Elizabeth Alexander Don and Melanie Alexander Mike and Elizabeth Alexander Cindy ChurchBrightStone Staff by John and Tammy BuidaTammy Bolen by George and Janice DelkJenny Brockman by Stanley and Jerilynn FrymarkPhil and Jeanette Breeden by Kerry and Lynne McCallaJo Buszkiewic by Robert Spessard, Emma IncGillian Campbell by Stanley and Mary KantanieJustin El-Urfali by Sherry Ann ValdezCatherine Ferree by Kenneth and Peggy PaulsonAlicia Fitts by Summers FoundationJudy Fincannon by John Akers Jaylon Fincannon Reg and Cathy Ivory Michael and Pamela ShampainKevin and Lisa Gabhart by Bradley and Mary Pat Davis Charles and Kathleen Gregory Peter and Dena YouttJock Gilliland by Dick and Janice HedgesPaula Gilliland by Robert and Laurie Porter Sil Gleim by Mayna MosesBrian Glenn by Thomas and Sandra StevensDon and Judy Hauk by Susan BuellAnnette Hendrix by William and Mary Ann RussellLinda Hinton by Stephen J. RodolfJohnnie Kay Hood by Krista McKinneyBobby Iwanowski by Anonymous DonorSue Iwanowski by Thomas Drugs

Laura Jernigan by Thomas DrugsAllen Jordan by Don and Betsye Ledford Mack and Allen Jordan and Family by Jackie and Norma AldridgeMickey and Emily Miller by James and Olivia SchleicherAl Moss by Mitch and Darla Bryant Denise Cimeley Donald and Michelle MidkiffThe Oldham Family by Martha OldhamRyan Patterson by Jack and Elizabeth Denton Jared and Erin Smith Kristen Tucker Karen WilsonDebbie Petery by Cindy WatersNancy Pewitt by David and Louanne HillElissa Reeves by Agmark EmployeesPhilip Robichaux by Mark and Theresa StallworthKate Snow by Teresa Borum Evelyn Gore Steven and Rebecca Hunt Curtis R. Johanson Robert and Faye Ligon Donald and Donna Vick Women of First Presbyterian Church

Lawrence and Candy Sullivan by Jessie Barker McKellar FoundationAbby Speck by Paul and Therese SandersonMr. and Mrs. Fulton Thompson by James M. ThompsonJames Thompson by Joseph and Susan Madden, III Fulton and Julie ThompsonGail Turley by Robert and Diane GrichCarole Wald by Fruit of the Spirit SS Class Donald and Patricia Seyb Betty YancyKay and Seth Watson and Family by Jackie and Norma AldridgeBetty Wise by Phillip and Bobbie JohnsonLarry Yarborough by Donald Williamson Kenneth and Peggy Paulson Jennifer and Isaac York by Jerry and Frances Bozeman Scholarship Fund: Brent and Cheryl BachmanJohn and Tammy BuidaRobert ChaseDenise CimeleyCommunity Foundation Middle TennesseeAndy and Bonnie FreehMike and Margaret HarbersKay HaukRichard and Janice Hedges

Steven and Rebecca HuntScott and Mary KelleyDavid and Marilyn KnightDaniel and Catherine LaufmanJohn R Lindahl FoundationBob and Tina MajorsVirginia McDowellMayna MosesMartha OldhamJared and Erin SmithDavid and Lori WillsonDouglas and Cheryl York In-Kind Donations:AtemaBuffalo River ResortChuy’sFleming Steak HouseForrest Crossing Golf Club Governors ClubHarpeth True ValueImperial Lawn CareJo’s Custom Cakes Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Perma PlatePuckett’s GrocerySigns First Springtree Media Group SonicSite Specialties, LLCSperry’s RestaurantSuntrust BankThe Factory at FranklinWhitestone County Inn

Partners Continued...

From the Heart of a Parent“My husband and I knew there was no other life course for us except to lovingly care for our firstborn son to the very best of our ability. We have done that long and well. Now, however, my husband is gone and I am an older, single parent with serious health problems.

My son began attending BrightStone in 2004. I realized then that he had great potential for learning if only a teacher knew how to develop that potential. The teachers at BrightStone bring out the best in each student. His attending BrightStone was my dream. In spite of all of his physical and mental limitations, my son is a bright, engaging young man who loves to be with people. BrightStone provides the opportunity for him to socialize but just as importantly to hone his social, vocational, and academic skills. BrightStone gives him a chance to develop more independence in a safe, accepting, loving environment. In a less caring, less motivated setting, he would probably deteriorate to the point of having to be sedated much of the time. But at BrightStone, he excels; he feels good about himself and those around him. He has good days at BrightStone. I can no longer care for my son on my own; however, I want him to continue in the BrightStone program especially in a future residential placement on the new campus. There are other families, like us, who are struggling to pay the tuition so their beloved child may stay in absolutely the best vocational training environment in Tennessee. Thank you for all you do to make this possible for our family!”

“Thank you for all you do to make this possible for our family!”

1 4 0 S o u t h e a s t P a r k w a y C o u r tF r a n k l i n , T N 3 7 0 6 4

Mike AlexanderTerry BridgesGlen CasadaMonica CoakleyBrenda HaukKent Holdcroft

Executive DirectorBrenda Hauk

B r i g h t S t o n e i S a p r i v a t e l y f U n d e d n o n p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n S e r v i n g a d U l t S w i t h S p e C i a l n e e d S i n w i l l i a m S o n C o U n t y a n d S U r r o U n d i n g a r e a S i n m i d d l e t e n n e S S e e .

BrightStone School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration

of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Jim LackeyBob SpeckCathy StallworthDon StinnettCandy SullivanDick Wells

Board of Directors

Wish ListTOP WISH:

Donations to the Building Fund

ONGOING NEEDS:• Scholarship Fund• Funding for our Health & Wellness program• Funding for community outings

SPECIFIC FUNDING NEEDS:• $30,000 to complete funding for a new bus• $1,375 for a new kiln