This is a late entry, but a worthwhile acknowledgement of a fall service project involving The Next Stop members!

Led by a committee of four Next Stop members and a volunteer mentor, The Next Stop participated in a project we called Help Haiti in November.    Ms. Julie, one of volunteers is a strong advocate for The Good Shepherd School, a school her inlaws started over 30 years ago.   It suffered major damage from the 2010 earthquake.  She let us know what kinds of items would help the children who attend.   To help our members to better understand WHO they were helping, they were shown pictures of the children at The Good Shepherd School. Their compassionate, generous spirits were evident–good character qualities we love to support!

Our first member committee met weekly with their mentor Ms. Leigh Ellen.  Each week they told our members what item would be collected and they (and their families) responded awesomely.   The first week the collection box was overflowing with toothpaste and toothbrushes.  The next weeks pencils, erasers, decks of cards, and small toys came in each day.

This committee spent time discussing ideas of how to remind members of what to bring in, making a weekly FB post, sending an email to families each week and setting goals.    Participating on a committee in not something most members (if any) of The Next Stop have ever had an opportunity to do.  This effort was just one of our continual attempts to give our members the chance “grow” in self confidence, self worth and to mature.    Their last group presentation ended with a “MERCI” (Creole–language of Haiti) to each member for their participation.

At the end of our collection, Ms. Julie came in to thank the members for their abundant and charitable gifts.  She was going to deliver to The Good Shepherd School during her November trip so they would have for Christmas.

The Gwinnett Braves awarded The Next Stop a $1,000 grant in December, 2011.   These grants are awarded to different nonprofits each month. During this summer’s baseball season, each grant recipient had a night of recognition where they were presented with the “unofficial” check. Because it was our night, we also were able to include some of our members in the fan games between innings. The most memorable part of the evening, though, was our National Anthem being performed by our member, Robert. We thank the Gwinnett Braves for a great night!

Like the rest of us, Marine moved by performance

Gwinnett Braves General Manager North Johnson, Founders Stu and Vicki LaRoche and Board member Ben Furqueron

Members playing the 'aerosol can race' game with MC

Summertime this year brings The Next Stop the opportunity to host six Brenau University occupational therapy students as they complete 12 weeks of field work. Welcome Hannah, Stacey, Liz, Meredith, Charmaine and Jenna! On Wednesdays and Thursdays they are filling the role of our regular program volunteers who support our members each afternoon—which gives the regular volunteers some deserved time off! Also, the OT students are leading activities and groups designed to continue The Next Stop’s objectives of continued personal growth in the areas of social skills, self confidence and awareness for each member.

Thanks to these students for their enthusiasm, energy and new ideas!

May 7th, 2012, brought us our annual opportunity to not only raise money to support The Next Stop, but also to enjoy the celebration! We had a record 129 golfers this year, and although play had to be temporarily suspended due to lightening in the area, they all had a great time. Dinner guests began arriving around 5:30 and while enjoying a glass of wine, they browsed around and bid on outstanding silent auction items and baskets. We were all entertained by John Hightower, a singer guitarist as he was accompanied by member Zach on percussion. Although late for this “happy hour”, golfers finished their round and joined the fun. A delicious fried chicken dinner, prepared by the Royal Lakes Country Club staff, was enjoyed by all and followed by golf awards and sponsorship recognition. Many raffle prizes were given to guests, including a 32″ Vizio flat screen TV and $1,860 to our 50/50 cash raffle winner.

A great day, for a great cause! Thanks to all who contributed and participated!

The winning foursome...before the rain and before the win!

Two ladies foursomes this year

100 items for sale

John Hightower and member Zach making beautiful music

Enjoying happy hour and shopping the silent auction

Relaxing, after a long, fun day of golf

Thanks to all our event sponsors!

We all function in one of three ways during different types of activities–low, just right or high.  In the ALERT Program, it is referred to as “our engines”….and HOW they are running.     We all experience a low engine, a high engine or a just right engine….but the key is being just right at the right time.     If you feel low, are you up for a game of basketball or can you pay attention?     If you feel high, can you listen to directions or sit down and play a board game with peers?

Three graduate students from the School of Occupational Therapy at Brenau University–Celina, Catherine and Hannah–chose The Next Stop to conduct their thesis study.   Over the last eight weeks, these OT students led groups twice a week teaching our members how to be aware of when they are too low or too high and what sensory strategies they can use to be “just right”.     Many opportunities to touch, look, taste, move, etc., were given to our members to see how their  “engines” were affected.   The goal was to support appropriate member participation and social skills in group activities.

The ALERT Program instruction came to an end this past week.    Our engines were low as we said good bye to our three superb OT student leaders.    We thank them for leaving us with a new understanding of the use of sensory strategies,  a cart full of sensory supplies and a notebook filled with a review of all the information they taught us.   We all look forward to helping our members as they work to be “just right” in each situation.

Celina, Catherine and Hannah explain how our "engines" run

Hannah demonstrates the use of a squeeze ball

Bouncing/rolling on a big ball can affect our engine

Petting our dogs or cats can bring a high engine into "just right"

Our engines can be affected by watching a jar filled with water and glitter!

David Hodges of Gainesville, Georgia, was the winner of 2 Super Bowl tickets and $2500 offered by The Next Stop. David happens to be the uncle of Greg, one of The Next Stop members. Greg sold him the winning ticket…..yes, he bought one ticket and it was the one drawn from the bin! It was a pleasure to have David and his daughter Lauren come by The Next Stop and pick up their winnings, and to have Greg be able to present it to them!

To see the actual drawing, please watch the video below…

Drawing done by Stu LaRoche and son Tyler

Sunday, January 15, 2012, at 3:00 PM at The Next Stop

Witnessed by Vicki LaRoche, Board Member Dennis Pruett, Regina Pruett, and Board Member Larry Larkins

The Next Stop celebrated our recent expansion and new kitchen with a Grand Opening on October 28, 2011.  It was a fun evening with good food, wonderful entertainment and great friends/families.

We were excited to show off not only what our new kitchen looks like, but also how it works!   Our members actually prepared 15 pans of lasagna during the month of October to serve to our guests.   Our layers may not have all been the same in each pan, but no matter, it all tasted so good!   A special thank you to our local Publix for providing the ingredients AND providing volunteers for this event to serve dinner to our guests.

Also, a variety of cookie bars were prepared by members of The Next Stop for dessert.  Our Tuesday group made pecan pie cookie bars, the Wednesday group made toll house cookie bars, and the Thursday group made cheesecake cookie bars.  All were delicious and they sure smelled good while they were baking!

The Next Stop members are involved in all aspects of the kitchen, rotating through “clean up” duty.  This new homelike kitchen is providing them with experience that can transfer to their own home kitchen.   Cooking has always been a highlight at The Next Stop, but we are all enjoying cooking (and eating) in a whole different way now!

The Next Stop is the grateful recipient of three different financial gifts this summer.   Each is intended to fund a specific need.  A big THANK YOU to each organization listed below.

Jackson EMC Foundation awarded The Next Stop $5,000.  Not only do we thank the Foundation, but also the employees of Jackson EMC who participate in the Round up Program, as this is how grants are possible.  Gwinnett’s District Manager Randy Dellinger and Jackson EMC Foundation Board member Jim Puckett, visited The Next Stop and presented us with this check.   These funds will be used toward our Program Planning Assistant’s salary.

After the completion of our newly construction kitchen, it was time to fill the cabinets with needed supplies!   The Community Foundation of NE Georgia awarded The Next Stop $1,000 to accomplish this goal.   We now have dishes, flatware, pots, pans, small appliances, etc.–all we need to
use this kitchen effectively.

The Enterline Foundation provided The Next Stop with a $5,000 donation, and committed another $10,000 over the next 2 years.   This contribution is designated to cover some of the building costs of our recent expansion project that not only gave us more room, but our new residential kitchen.

This past month has proven to be a momentous one as we enjoyed two significant events!  First, the expansion project was completed and The Next Stop is now enjoying more space and a kitchen.  We will soon have people from our waiting list visiting and hopefully registering into The Next Stop.  So far, we’ve baked blonde brownies and apple pies in our own double oven.  Members are taking turns helping to wash and dry the dishes.  Over the next few weeks, we will be working to become proficient in using all our new kitchen appliances and supporting our members as they learn too.

The expansion project actually was finished just 3 days before our biggest fundraiser of the year!  Yes, it has been a very busy time!  Our annual golf tournament/dinner and wine event took place on May 2nd–and for the first time in five years, it wasn’t rainy or cold!  We all enjoyed a beautiful day celebrating The Next Stop and raising funds to continue advancing the  program.  Thanks to everyone who participated and/or helped in the planning and implementing!