We hiked Jackson Falls and Fall Hollow

Seven of us dodged all the storms yesterday and hiked two Natchez Trace waterfall trails. Knowing my brother-in-law, Ken, would be accompanying us yesterday, I checked in with the Natchez Trace park rangers of Leiper's Fork and they were extremely helpful with information about handicap-accessible trails. We also used the great directions from http://www.nps.gov/ website.
The kids loved the hike down to Jackson Falls but admitted the return trip up was very steep. The trail was paved for the most part so Ken could have easily have made the trip down, but coming back up was our problem. There were picnic tables and a shelter with accessible bathrooms. On the other side of the parking lot was a 1/3 mile trail leading to Bakers Bluff which provided an interesting view of a conservation-friendly working farm. This is also found as its own stop along the Natchez Trace.
Ten miles further south, all of us hiked in to see the Fall Hollow waterfall. The kids took off down the trail while Ken, Kendall and I strolled and enjoyed the scenery from the paved and bridged trail. The creek flows along flat rocks curving through the spring green of the forest. It reminded me of a famous waterfall in Ireland that I visited two years ago.
The paved trail led to a platform overlooking the waterfall where you could rest and see others hiking the steeper part of the trail. Kendall stayed with Ken this time so I could hike with the rest of the family. There are actually two waterfalls to view on this trail. At both falls you can actually walk in to the slippery area behind the waterfall. Great picture and video opportunities for the kids until my niece, Sarah Catherine, took a tumble. She was fine though!
Beautiful is the best word to describe the waterfalls and Fall Hollow was great for those who might not be able to access the entire trail. I hope to return soon and see the fifteen other stops we drove right by to get to the falls. We're so typical of a busy family that doesn't take advantage of the fantastic local tourism opportunities in our own back yard. I am going to make a big effort this summer to get outside this bubble and see middle Tennessee!

Natchez Trace Jackson Falls a site to see

Well, I have graduated my first child and the hectic holiday/graduation weekend is over. Looking forward to summer, I will be writing about many volunteer opportunities over the summer, but I also will time to time write about ideas for travel and summer fun outside the Brentwood bubble. My friend, Jackie, recently recommended Jackson Falls off the Natchez Trail and so I've looked into the idea. I am ready to pack a picnic and hike it tomorrow. It sounds like a great half day trip and I hope to take my nephew there tomorrow before he makes the flight back north to Rhode Island.

Jackson Falls is named for one of Tennessee's three presidents, Andrew Jackson, who was known to have traveled the Natchez Trace himself five times. The Natchez Trace is an ancient Indian trail that was later used as a return trip north from Natchez, MS by boaters who brought goods south on the Mississippi river. In the early 1800s, the invention of steamboats made travel upriver possible and the traffic on the trail greatly reduced.

Southpoint.com Travel Guide states about the falls, "If you only see one waterfall on the (Natchez Trace) Parkway make it Jackson Falls, mile 404. The parking area offers one of the nicest overlooks on the Trace. An old barn crests a distant hill and if you’re lucky the farmer may be plowing his fields. A steep, paved trail leads to Jackson Falls which is actually two cascades. On the uppermost and largest falls tumbles down a steep cliff in an unusual fashion while the lower falls is a more traditional tumble."

Miles are marked on the Natchez Trace by wooden posts so that you can easily find the sites along the way. Many more suggested sites can by found within ten miles either side of Jackson Falls including an old tobacco farm (401.4) and a campground/picnic site that houses the Meriweather Lewis gravesite (385.9).

The rest stop is approximately 50 miles West from Nashville's I-40 near Shady Grove, TN. It does have a pathed walkway and should be accessible to most children and adults. According to The Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway by F. Lynne Bachleda, "The at-most ten minute hike to Jackson Falls is paved, bridged, and stepped down to the falls themselves, which makes it fairly easy."

Personally, I will enter the Natchez Trace from Highway 100 and it won't be as far for those of already in Williamson County. Hope this fantastic weather holds so we can hit the trail.

Happy Summer to all!

Shepherd Center Rebuilding Lives

Tuesday night at the Loew's Vanderbilt in Nashville was an alumni reception for Shepherd Center, a catastrophic care hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, which is consistently name in U.S. News America's Best Hospitals. Shepherd Center serves patients from all over the United States due to its reputation of excellent care. Shepherd Center specializes in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions. One of the recognizable smiling faces in the crowd was Amy Hawkins, the tornado victim who saved her two sons lives by laying on top of them during the storm. Hawkins story really touched a lot of people through local media, but her story became national news when Extreme Home Makeover rebuilt their home.

My family became familiar with and indebted to this instituation starting May 1, 2008. My brother-in-law, Ken Gilfillan, fell during a routine roof leak inspection on March 14. He fell 25 feet and landed on his head causing a traumatic brain injury and many other spinal and bone fractures. After having expert care at Vanderbilt Medical Center's Trauma Unit, he was cared for at Stallworth Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt and re-entered Vanderbilt Medical Center for surgery on his spine. We were thrilled when our case manager referred us to Debbie, the Shepherd Center patient liasion. Within days of Ken's neck surgery, we were accepted to Shepherd.

On May 1, I sent Ken flying off in a small medical air ambulance to Atlanta where my husband and his parents were awaiting his arrival at Shepherd. Five long months of incredible treatment and days and days of miracles occurred at the facility as Ken worked his way back to the daily functions of life. Watching someone you love re-learn how to perform involuntary functions such as swallowing, chewing, and drinking can be exhausting. It is also an inspiration to see therapists, nurses, and doctors all working together to help your family member regain their life. The extreme effort that goes in to each patient is powerful.

So, back to the reception. It wasn't anything most of us would picture as an alumni reunion. There were no cheerleaders, college sweatshirts, or football game talk. Most of the room was filled with former patients and their families. Some patients were in wheelchairs, some on crutches, some using canes and miraculously walking across the room to shake their doctor's hand. That would be Ken. For those of on two legs, it was an obstacle course and it was one we were thrilled to navigate.

All of the injuries were different and all the recoveries were at different levels. The one common theme of all these people was the joy of life that showed on their faces. They knew this institution had brought them back to life and they were there to say thank you. The doctors were emotionally overwhelmed as patients reached out to touch them, hugged them and loved them. Someone who had not been to Shepherd Center might be shocked walking in and seeing all of the physical disability. But it wouldn't take long for anyone to see the blessings and miracles that have taken place. Read about some of these miracles on their website patient stories page: http://www.shepherd.org/home/profiles.asp .

Much of the success of Shepherd's program has been made possible by the hundreds of individuals, families and corporations that have helped support their mission over the years. In fact, alumni are very generous and anxious to give back to Shepherd. In fact, we benefited from this generosity ourselves. When Ken's insurance ran out for his rehabilitation, Shepherd stepped in and provided Ken a scholarship so he could physically be ready to return home. If you'd like to support this institution, check out their website at http://www.shepherd.org/ and see how you can help.

Food Donations needed for "Feed Our Future"

From a BHS Student:
May 15, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
My name is Victoria Calton and I am a YAC leader at Brentwood High School (YAC is the Youth Advisory Council sponsored by United Way). I am currently working with the United Way, the Williamson County Boys and Girls Club, and the Second Harvest Food Bank in a fight against hunger. I have recently met with the Director of the Franklin Boys and Girls Club and learned that there is a need for nutritious food packs for children during the summer. These children typically rely on free school lunches for their main source of nutrition during the day; however, there isn’t a guaranteed source of nutrition for these same children during the summer months when they are not in school. I am starting a program this summer to address this need in our community—a program I am calling “Feed our Future” and will start by providing weekly snack packs of nutritious staples for at-risk children in our community. These will be delivered in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club in Franklin.
Approximately 90 percent of the children (averaging ages 6-12) who attend the Franklin Boys and Girls Club are from single-parent homes and are at or below the national poverty level. These children need our help and I am asking you to help me by providing donations, so that I can deliver these items as part of a weekend snack pack. I am expected to deliver on average 30 meals per week to the Boys and Girls Club throughout the summer and will distribute these items in one-gallon baggies. A typical baggie will contain fruit juice, dry cereal, non refrigerated milk, crackers, small servings of peanut butter, applesauce, beans and franks, and other high protein and nutritious non-perishable items.
In order to have plenty of each item, I am asking for specific donations from each group:
· Classes of 2009 and 2010: juice boxes
· Classes of 2011 and 2012: single serving apple sauces and fruit cups
· Faculty and others: single serving cans of beans and franks or Vienna sausages (with pop top, please)

I know this is short notice, but I am asking for donations (food or financial) during the last week of school and at any time throughout the summer. I will begin assembling and donating snack pack weekend meals during the week of June 1st. You can drop off items at Dr. Calton’s office at Brentwood High School. You may also email or call me to make arrangements for pick up.
This is a difficult time for everyone, but especially for those in need. Please help me fight hunger and Feed our Future…these children really need our help and a case of fruit juice or protein-packed serving of food can go a long way. Please call me if you have any questions or if you would like to learn more about snack pack meals for this program during the summer…..

Thank you for your generosity and participating in Feed our Future!
Victoria Calton (972-3809, 309-8341 or 776-2513)
victoriacalton@aol.com

Against the Grain in Franklin Doing Good Works

• There are 12,129 single mothers in Middle Tennessee


• 5,721 have pre-school children


• 4,730 are unemployed


• 4,914 do not have a high school diploma


• 7,277 are below the poverty level

Do the above facts surprise you? A statement from the Against the Grain website, "That doesn't sound like much of a life does it? But that is the reality for thousands of single mothers in Middle Tennessee and they are begging for a way out. . . begging for dignity and a hope for their children."

Rob and Meredith Kendall at Against the Grain in Franklin, TN are on a mission to empower single mothers to become self-sufficient, knowledgeable, productive members of society. Their vision includes specific goals that include making a greater impact in Williamson County and expanding their work in to Middle Tennessee, opening offices in other areas of the country, and developing a residential community specifically for single mothers where their families can live while the mother going through Against the Grain training. AtG goes one step further by wanting to position themselves to help these mothers move toward home ownership after the AtG training is complete.

For single mothers, there is hope for their family by joining the 180 program. Taking part in the program is a two-year commitment of group and individual training. The program is designed to break the family cycle of dependence on governmental programs that provide food and shelter for the families. The participants take classes such as Budgeting 101, self esteem classes, Purpose Driven Life, and two six-week parenting classes. This part of the training involves a life-coach for each participant and lasts one year. The second year continues to include the help of a life-coach and the mother works to implement all the tools she learned through the program. AtG and the life-coach assist her with implementation of her customized plan and provide her accountability measures.

In April, five mothers graduated from the first year of the program and will spend the next year taking classes every other week and will continue working with their mentors. On the AtG website, one mother quoted, "As I came to class and met all the other mothers that had stuff going on in their life almost the same as mine it made me open up and stay focused. Now I rate my self esteem a 10+++. I have to thank the 180 program for my help they inspired me that there was life at the end of my tunnel."

To help reach their goals of helping these single mothers, AtG conducted two fundraisers last week. On May 7, they conducted a Golf Scramble at the Vanderbilt Legends Golf Club where teams could play for $600. The weather was a big worry as to whether the event would occur, but the weather cleared and the tournament was a success. On Mother's Day, May 10, there was a Walk-a-Thon where the weather was not so cooperative. Walkers showed up to support AtG but lightning thwarted the walk after two hours.

In talking to Rob Kendall, I have learned that giving is down 32% this year for AtG. The fundraisers went well but not as well as the past few years. Individual donations from our monthly giving partners is down as well as our one time gifts. Realizing this is probably typical of non-profits this year, Rob still hopes gifts will continue to come in to AtG.

Against the Grain could use your support in several different ways. There is a donation page on their website http://www.atghope.org/ and another very simple way to support AtG is to make your homepage goodsearch.com. This is a search engine that is powered by Yahoo and has commited to give a penny to AtG for every search done with AtG as the selected charity. Instructions on how to do this are also on the AtG website.

Here is a list of items that are needed.

Wal Mart gift cards ($25 increments)

Gas gift cards ($25 increments)

Reliable Car for Single Mom

Land for Single Mothers Community

Volunteer Office Help

Babysitters for Thursday and Saturday morning classes

If you would like to donate any of these items please contact Meredith at 791-7885 or email info@atghope.org .

To read more about the Kendalls and how they came to work on this mission for single mothers, go to http://atghope.org/?page_id=34 and see the miracle of their story.

Safe Haven Benefits from Concert and Frist Exhibition

Frist Center is really supporting the Safe Haven Family Center this spring and summer. Right now, the Safe Haven has on display photographs taken by parents and children of the families who have participated and benefited from their shelter. The photos will be part of an exhibition, Seeing Ourselves: Photographs of Safe Haven, and is available until August 3rd. The exhibit features 22 photographs taken during a workshop led by Frist staff, Nicky Nash and photographer Alan Clark.

Furthermore, the exhibit will be displayed when the summer series, Frist Fridays, kicks off on May 29. Danielle Peck, an avid supporter of Safe Haven, will perform live in the Turner Courtyard from 6-9pm. This is a great opportunity for Safe Haven to gain awareness about their mission as this concert series brings visitors from all over Middle Tennessee.

Another concert by Peck on March 30th at the Mercy Lounge, serving as a fundraiser for Safe Haven, was a great success. According to their website, "The concert included performances by: Danielle, Halfway to Hazard, Whiskey Falls, Trailer Choir, and Tayla Lynn & The Girls. The event garnered over$10,000 in support for homeless families."

Peck serves on The Celebrity Council which she helped form in 2007 in conjunction with the Safe Haven staff. Surprised at the lack of support for this homeless shelter, she began performing benefit concerts for their cause in February of 2007. According to their website, the council is designed to maximize community awareness and demonstrate the true compassion of performing artists. Country artists such as Martina McBride and Keith Anderson are also avid supporters of the cause.

Would you like to check it out and see if your heart leads you to this ministry? Check out their website at: http://www.safehaven.org/ and you will see many volunteer opportunities including meal preparation and serving, a children's arts program, and childcare opportunities.

The Frist Fridays series, in its seventh year, will be every last Friday of the Month through July. Patrons can enjoy an evening of live music, light snacks and beverages as well as visit the diverse exhibitions on view in the Frist Center’s galleries.Frist Fridays takes place rain or shine.

Brentwood's Own Extreme Home Makeover

Brentwood Baptist sent over 800 members out on a Great Day of Service to 40 different locations. One of the groups decided to provide their own Extreme Home Makeover. The recipient of their good work was a single mom with three boys, one of the boys being autistic. There was only one problem with the project - RAIN.
The group leader, Lisa, said, "I was praying really hard for God to be merciful and stop the rain." With over 100 people ready to work on the home, the rain did stop on Saturday. However, the makeover began on a Wednesday with two people moving out their furniture followed by a Thursday of painting the hallway and ceiling. Groups of volunteers took on one room each. Their duties were to find donated furnishings for this room and then complete the task of making over the room.
Lisa said, "There were people painting in every room, outside spray painting furniture, men demoing the upstairs bathroom and deck, about forty people outside pulling weeds, making new flower beds, trimming bushes, and mowing the yard."
By the end of Saturday, they had only a few tasks left. The master bedroom and bathroom needed a few last touches from their overhaul. Draperies still needed to be finished and hung in the family room. These final touches were finished on Sunday and then the group provided a complete cleaning of the house.
"It went from a house to a home in 48 hours." Lisa said. "The boys, who were at their dad's, came home at 7:30 pm on Sunday and a group of people came to do an extreme home makover-style 'move that bus' yell and we led them on a tour with my husband acting like Ty."
The tour was a success and the family was blown away by their room. The smallest boy said to his mother, "This is paradise."
"It was the most rewarding project that I have ever worked on and I am scheming on the next one for September," said Lisa.
Well done, good and faithful servants!

To see a great video slideshow of the day, go to http://kigerphotography.shutterfly.com/
and click on "Great Day of Service." Look at the smiles on their faces...don't you want to feel that good? For more information on what Great Day of Service is and those we served in our community, go to http://www.brentwoodmission.com/ and check it out.
Background: Lisa Moody is the Drama teacher for Brentwood High School. She and her husband, David, work tirelessly on every BHS production.

Journey to Freedom Through World Relief

World Relief is an organization that performs a multitude of services internationally. Through their sixty years of disaster response, they have learned how to effectively mobilize human and material services to help disaster victims. Maternal and child care in foreign lands can include everything from teaching women to breastfeed to providing mosquito bed netting to prevent malaria. Their battle against AIDS works at a grassroots level through churches in countries like Africa where they teach citizens about the epidemic, teach abstinence and fidelity, and support the victims of the disease.

But here in Nashville, you will see World Relief working with church-based volunteers to help refugees whom are fleeing war or persecution in their homelands. Nationwide, the organization assists over 10,000 refugees each year in adjusting to their new home in America. Volunteers meet the families as they arrive in our city and walk them through the process of setting up a home including setting up a home. But reaching out to the family and being their friend is the most important job of the volunteer. Some refugees will be bewildered by common American items such as child seats and gas stoves.

From the World Relief website: Mary, a Sudanese refugee, says, “When I got off the plane, I was afraid. I did not know anyone. But then I saw many people holding balloons and banners. World Relief workers introduced themselves to me. I was startled by the kind people who greeted me. I knew at that moment that my Christian brothers and sisters would help me start again.”

Volunteers stand at the end of a long journey to America but they are also there for their first steps of freedom in America. Each family must rebuild the most basic parts of their lives. Volunteers can help them find an apartment, find furniture, and even find a job. Language barriers can be terrifying for these families, leaving them feeling helpless in their new home. The open arms of the volunteers provide a much needed friendship from the moment they step off the plane.

One way you, your kids, and your neighbors can help is by making "Welcome Kits" for newly arrived refugee families. There are eight different types of kits: Cleaning, Writing, First Aid, Kitchen, Cooking, Starter Kitchen, Family Hygiene, and Housing. If you would like to help in this area, call 615-833-7735 x222. You can also arrange to drop off the kits at that same number.

World Relief also accepts donations of furniture including couches, loveseats, chairs, tables, beds, cribs and dressers. For housing setup, they need sheets, blankets, towels, lamps, cleaning supplies, alarm clocks, showercurtains, and rugs. Kitchen needs include all dishes, glasses, pots, pans, silverware, knives and trash cans. Miscellaneous donation ideas include Kroger gift cards, Sam's gift cards, phone cards, baby items, first aid kits, and even automobiles.

Right now the Nashville office of World Relief is looking for a Refugee Resettlement Intern.
To obtain a description of or apply for any of the Nashville opportunities, please contact Deanna Dolan for more information at ddolan@wr.org.

Updates on Things Past - Exciting Things Happening!

Harvest Hands moved in to their new location on Humphreys Street. There is still a bit of work to do on both floors. Once the flooring is installed in the basement, there will a lot more space upstairs for the kids. Two more weeks of after-school program will wrap up the school year. Randy, the after-school program director looks forward to the summer program which will take place Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. If you would like to help out this summer, contact Randy at randy@harvesthandscdc.com . Our first neighborhood lunch at the new location will take place Monday, May 11. I'll be there! For more info: http://www.harvesthandscdc.com/

Rock the Chains Battle of the Bands Benefit Concert was a huge success. The event raised $7,500 for the International Justice Mission's new building in Nashville that will house recently rescued slavery victims. Kelsie Overton, a Brentwood High School senior, was just as excited that all 500 participants took a seat at intermission and heard the facts about modern day slavery. Around 166 letters were written to senators and congressman asking them to make themselves aware of this problem and take a stand against this horrible epidemic. This is a real problem and it's right here in Nashville. Kelsie passes the reigns to Kendall Gilfillan next year and she has some big shoes to fill!

The top three bands were 1) Philadelphia Project, 2) American Underground, and 3) Don't Tell Haley. The first two bands will perform at Rocket Town and the third band will perform at Borders Bookstore Cafe. Great job abolitionists!

Update on 50,000 Pairs in 50 Days: The Soles 4 Souls shoe drive by the JulianSmith.tv campaign. Their website indicates they have 14,416 pairs of shoes donated with only sixteen days left in the campaign. Check out their site and make a difference: http://www.50000shoes.com/index.html .

Update on Not Your Average Garage Sale: My friend Jackie and some of her friends held a garage sale to raise money for sending care packages to African children in preparation for their winter. Jackie says, "We made $1000.00 for missions. I have $500.00 for South Africa and sent $500.00 to Harvest Hands. It was worth the work, for sure!" Well done, my friends!

Be the Change - Greater Nashville Circle of Change

Beth Younginer of Brentwood has really stepped "outside the bubble" in the last year and a half. Summer of 2007, Beth became aware of the Circle of Change Challenge Day project and jumped in with both feet. A great informational event happens Thursday, May 7 which will undoubtedly change lives (see more below). The website of this organization quotes, "Imagine a school where a child feels safe, loved, and celebrated where bullying, violence and other forms of oppression are things of the past. This is the work of Challenge Day." Many of you may be familiar with this program through its national exposure on Oprah and other talk shows.

Beth has worked diligently since last spring to bring this concept to our Williamson County schools contacting principals, vice principals and every active volunteer she could find to spread the word. The first Challenge Day in Williamson County was at Centennial High School at the end of last school year. The principal was overwhelmed with the results and truly believed it would change her school.

Brentwood Middle School students signed up over the summer for their first challenge day and it was held at the beginning of the school year. My eighth grade daughter participated and is still talking about how it changed her perspective on all other students at school. Freshman at Brentwood High School soon followed and had their first Challenge Day late fall of 2008. Woodland Middle School and Ravenwood High School followed suit and now over 2,000 Williamson County students have been through this program. Beth says, "It's truly a God thing. I was new to the area and didn't know anyone, but it just keep going. I hope to double that number of kids in the next year."

What happens at a Challenge Day? The kids start out having fun and presented with a set of challenges. They work on getting more and more real. Each student sees the insecurity and vulnerability of all those around you. Beth explains, "We ask them to say, "If you really knew me..." and then let people get real in this safe environment. You begin to see people through the eyes of truth." They realize that in their awkward teenage self-concerned world, they don't always see the truth around them. The more people feel connected, the less likely they are to hurt each other. The experience can be gut-wrenching, liberating and supportive. You should check out their video on YouTube because I'm not sure I can put in to words what actually happens. Anything said would seem like an exaggeration, but when you see the video you understand. Take the time to watch this video, on their website: http://www.challengeday.org/ and go to the video excerpt from "Surviving High School."

Beth would like to see all of the greater Nashville area take advantage of this life-changing program. "We need to have a Be the Change Circle at each school made up of students, parents, and faculty," noted Beth. Circles of Change are groups of dedicated Challenge Day supporters who work together to promote and support local Be the Change School Teams. Circles of Change members are committed to living, funding, and supporting the principles of the Be the Change Movement. "It's about accepting people for who they are," says Beth. If you want to learn more, there is a meeting TOMORROW! Contact Beth Younginer immediately if you would like to attend at bethyounginer@comcast.net and here is the meeting info:

Greater Nashville Circle of Change
Thursday May 7, 2009
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fellowship Bible Church
1210 Franklin Rd.
Brentwood, TN
Learning Center Room 205 (building straight ahead on right when entering from Franklin Rd.)

Check them out on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/120385

Miriam's Promise - Making Families

"One adoption won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one child" is the idea behind Miriam's Promise, a Nashville-based full-service non-profit agency serving families and children in Middle Tennessee. They are a full-service crisis pregnancy and adoption agency offering free counseling, real choices and open adoption. Miriam's Promise derives their identity of Miriam through the bible story of Moses. Moses sister, Miriam, is a heroine who looks after and protects her infant brother. She works to ensure his safety in a turbulent time when all male babies were in danger. Miriam's Promise trys to do just this and works to ensure the well-being of children before, during and after birth.

Several families I am acquainted with in Brentwood have greatly benefited from Miriam's Promise through the adoption process. These families hold this agency close to their hearts and continue to take an active role in their fundraising efforts in the hopes of helping other families. One board member became involved not through adoption, but in her interest to assist with adoption and hopefully help stop unnecessary abortions. But for whatever reason one might serve this agency, many volunteers are needed to keep this service available. It is a place of hope and peace, and a place where you can watch the miracle of families happen.

Here are several ways you can volunteer:

Miriam's Promise has been extremely blessed by the generosity of many local churches and civic groups. They regularly receive donations of infant clothing and baby care items for our clothing closet. These items are given to our clients and to other organizations that serve young moms. These gifts must be organized into bins by size, sex, and type so that these items can be easily found by counselors. Volunteers who could do this task are needed on a regular basis.

Babysitting for support groups is another way to volunteer. Approximately 16 ongoing support groups occur each year for adoptive families of older children, trans-racial families, waiting families, and birthparents. Many of these families have very small children who need babysitting services during the monthly support group in which their parents are involved.

Miriam's Promise holds two major fundraising events each year. In the spring, they have a dinner, art show, and live auction called Pasta and Promises. The artists selling at this event donate a portion of their proceeds to Miriam's Promise. Volunteer duties include tasks such as logistics, catering, decoration, artist development, silent and live auction, ticket and table sales, and communications.

In the fall, a team Golf Challenge is hosted by Miriam's Promise. For the Golf Challenge, players raise money before the date of the tournament, and then play golf and receive prizes based on how much they raised. Volunteers are vital to make these events a success. Miriam's Promise need help with pre-events, sponsorship development, prize development, catering, and "day-of-event" needs such as registration, golfer relations, beverage cart drivers, and accounting of contributions and pledges.

Volunteers are also needed in specific technical areas such as marketing brochure development, client information systems, and archiving closing records for adoptions. If you would like to know more about helping Miriam's Promise, please check out their website http://www.miriamspromise.org/ and check the "How You Can Help" section. You can also call their office, located at 522 Russell St., at 292-3500.

TWO More Great Things To Do this Weekend

Rock the Chains Battle of the Bands Benefit Concert is tonight, Friday, May 1 at 7pm at Brentwood United Methodist Church. A group of teens from local area high schools have banned together to make this benefit an awareness tool on modern day slavery. These socially active kids consider themselves abolitionists, fighters of slavery. Come learn more about this plague on modern day society. Seven high school bands will be competing for the grand prize of playing at Rockettown. Admission is $10 and very cool tshirts are available for $10. This event will be thoroughly chaperoned, and no attendees will be allowed out of the building. The event ends at 10 p.m. and prompt pickup of teens would be appreciated. Can you read the logo on the right? It says I'm an Abolitionist. Student design too!

Another great event this Saturday could help some of us get back on track after the crazy year. Debbie Smith provides life coaching and spiritual direction for individuals who are seeking guidance related to career, relationships, and spiritual growth and development. Debbie spent 15 years in various financial and business leadership positions prior to starting her practice here in Nashville. Money, Margin & the Meaning of Life is a seminar on how faith informs our decisions about money, time and the future. Money, Margin & the Meaning of Life is a 1 ½ hour interactive workshop that provides a “real- faith-for-real-life” framework for thinking about these important aspects of our life (money, time, future). How does faith in God impact the practical realities of our lives? Does faith mean the absence of anxiety? What does it look like for faith to inform decisions about money, time and our future?Join Debbie for a lively and inspiring morning of connection and conversation on Saturday, May 2, 9:00-10:30 at David-Kidd Booksellers in the Bronte Bistro Café Conference Room. Email Debbie at debbie@debbiesmithcc.com to make a reservation. (Space is limited to the first 40 who register) Cost is $10 per person (payable in cash at workshop sign-in).

Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and is also a Hudson Institute Certified Professional Coach. Debbie is a member of St. Bartholomew's Church.

Check out Susan Leather's blog on all things Brentwood. BrentWord link to the right side of my page.