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“Wild At Heart” Huge Success

The first “Wild At Heart” event was held on November 13th at the Sportsman’s Club in Murfreesboro. Hosts and event chairs (also Exchange Club members), Rick Thornton and Rob McConnell pulled off a fabulous wild game dinner for almost 200 people.

The food was prepared by the well-known Cajun duo, Boudreaux & Thibideaux Cajun Country Catering. The menu was sure to tantalize your palate with choices of wild boar, buffalo burgers, wild turkey, venison and more. It was a perfect fall evening, complete with the sounds of live music provided by local band Drew Fedak and the Gang. The crowd lingered just to enjoy the music.

Over $5000 was raised, complete with a live auction conducted by expert auctioneer and county commissioner, Steve Sandlin. A special thanks to all our auction donors including WalMart, Murfreesboro Outdoors and for the very generous gifts from Ronnie Barrett at Barrett Manufacturing who donated two, 10-person tours of Barrett Manufacturing, home of the world famous Barrett .50-caliber rifle.

A hearty “THANKS” to all who worked, cooked, sold tickets, picked up auction items or just came and had a good time. We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers.

Another Work Center Graduation!

Congratulations to the most recent graduating class of “Positive Parenting”. Twenty-four inmates (men and women) from the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center completed eight parenting classes and graduated on November 5. This special day led by trainer Crystal Crismon included the families of the graduates.

A genuine thanks to United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties, Publix, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Corrections Corporation of America and TN Department of Children’s Services for the funding of this important project. Hats off to Superintendant, Bernard Salandy for providing the space and personnel to effectively administer this program.

Murfreesboro Office Hosts Regional Supervised
Network Regional Meeting

On December 7 & 8, regional providers of supervised visits gathered at the Murfreesboro office of Exchange Club Family Center for training that provided a brief introduction and overview of the Supervised Visitation Network and the The SVN Standards, The Code of Ethics, SVN Training Requirements, conflict of interest, and confidentiality. Sessions included topics about Working with Law Enforcement, Intake, Domestic Violence, documentation, Intervention, and Code of Ethics. Rutherford County Program Director and Vice President of the network organized the meeting.

Positive Parenting Classes Expand to North Rutherford County

Due to increased need, the Family Center is poised to start parenting classes in Smyrna, TN. Plans are in progress for this eight-week class designed for parents and caregivers of children birth-10 years of age. Parents come together to share experiences and discuss a variety of topics including child development, understanding and managing children’s behavior, self-esteem, communication, child safety, stress management, and parenting styles. Dates and locations will be announced soon.

Welcome Back Carolyn

We are so glad to have Carolyn Price, our Associate Director, back at the office. Carolyn is a valuable member of our team and was sorely missed. She has been on adoption leave since May as she and David welcomed Eva into their lives.

A Special Thanks to Those That Have Given Us Gifts Since
October, 2010

Guardian Angels

Have you heard the bells ringing? Over 30 people have earned their wings as guardian angels totaling over $8000 in income so far. This is all new income to support the important work of the Family Center. We love you angels!

In Kind Gifts

Murfreesboro

• North Boulevard Church of Christ, Murfreesboro – raking our leaves
• Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club – 2 DVD Players, Toys & Games for new Supervised Visit Room
• James Simpkins—TV for Supervised Visits Room
• Cable Link Solutions - Phone System
  

Nashville

• Charles Grummon, President of South Nashville Exchange Club – Butterfly bush behind the Children’s Building

New Grants

• ROROS Foundation
• The HCA Foundation
• Administrative Office of the Courts
• Baptist Healing Trust
  

Exchange Club Gifts


Check Presented by West Wilson Exchange Club
Proceeds from Pancake Breakfast

• Hendersonville Exchange Club
• Exchange Club of Wilson County
• Evening Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage
• Breakfast Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage
• Exchange Club of Nashville

“Boots & Bling” Sponsor

• Dorothy Cate & Thomas F. Frist Foundation

Corporate Gifts

• Sam’s
• Two Rivers Ford
  

Thanks To All Involved with Songwriter’s Night

On October 14, the sound of music filled the air at The Factory in Franklin. Jack Kapanka performed a heart-wrenching song about his own struggle as the victim of child abuse. The evening’s talented artists included: David Chamberlain, Hoss Howard, Arlos Smith, Trey Matthews, Kenny Lewis, Jody Harris, Gary Hooker, Jacob Lyda, Dannie Hannah, Pound Lamb, Jill Farrar, Brad Steinkamp, Brian Kurtis, Luckey Moore and Shawn Rhem(all of the band Kurtis), and Russ Freeman

Our hats are off to the members of the South Nashville Exchange Club who volunteered from set-up to clean-up and everything inbetween, serving as bartenders, popcorn masters and decorators. A special thanks to Jill Farrar (a songwriter herself) and Chuck Wells, both of Franklin Synergy Bank for their tireless efforts in organizing this event.

Tennessee Beer Festival 2010 A Success

A special thanks to Bill LaFollette, a member of the Nashville Exchange Club, his team of great volunteers, the breweries and vendors for organizing and participating in the first (but not the last) Tennessee Beer Festival. The Exchange Club Family Center was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from this great event. The October weather was perfect as was the setting on the lawn of Two Rivers Mansion in Donelson.

Car Show Huge Success

The 23rd Annual Car Show put on by the Donelson-Hermitage Exchange Club was an awesome event - beautiful day, great folks to work with, and visit with, and a success for the club. Thanks to the very hard work of Car Show Chair and past president Desha Hearn, and everyone else involved.

Pancake Breakfast

There is nothing like the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the taste of pancakes and maple syrup to start off a fall Saturday morning in October. Members of the Exchange Club of West Wilson County and the Mt. Juliet Lions Club hosted a pancake breakfast on Saturday, October 23 with the proceeds benefiting the Exchange Club Family Center. Thanks to all who participated: the cooks and the crowd!

HCA Volunteers Out in Force

On October 23, a sea of blue descended upon the Center in Nashville.  About 20 volunteers joined us for the Annual Community Day.  They arrived bright and early and began two huge tasks.  One half of them folded and stuffed envelopes for our annual appeal and the other half painted our hallway upstairs with paint donated from Hoover’s Paint in Murfreesboro.  Thanks to all that made this day possible.  We are so grateful for all of the work.  What would we do without our volunteers?

Bellevue Exchange Club Makes Extra Donation

What a way to start a day!  On September 21, President Tonya Robbins and Councilman Charlie Tygard presented a $1000 check to Executive Director, Dawn Eaton at their weekly meeting.  This check is above and beyond their annual contribution.  Past President, Chuck Naab says there will be more.  In addition to the check, they also presented the Center with two season tickets to the Predators Games.  We love you Bellevue Club!