To mark this important month of awareness, check out the Brain Energy Support Team Blog, website, Facebook and Twitter pages for the information, events, resources and people that help us build awareness and support for traumatic brain energy. Have a suggestion for a post? Email Kim T. at kimt@brainenergysupportteam.org.
Who: Our BEST artisans, artists, crafters and entrepreneurs and YOU (family, friends and the community)
What: “A Valentine Craft Fair” that showcases the great works and talents of BEST participants; goods will be available for purchase
Where:Â The BEST Learning Center, 2607 Bridgeport Way W. 2G, University Place, WA 98466
When: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Other notes: admission is free; ample parking available onsite; handicap accessible, on major bus lines (27th and Bridgeport Way)
Oh what a night!
The first annual BEST Frightfully Delightful Dinner and Dessert Fundraising Auction was held on October 26, 2013 at Joeseppi’s Ristorante in Tacoma. Auction patrons came from near and far, some even decked out in costumes and spiffy Halloween duds, to feast on delicious Italian cuisine, bid on yummy desserts and other fabulous items in the silent auction, partake in the lively drawings for raffle prizes and door prizes and participate in the spirited costume contest and impromptu Halloween costume parade/mini-dance off!
Thanks to the team at Stichin’ It Up!, the auction banquet room was festively decorated in the spirit of the season: cute and delightful ghosts atop beautifully crafted cloth place mats adorned with ghosts and pumpkins and googly eyed spiders surrounded by gobs of fun-sized Halloween candy treats which were enjoyed by all.
The silent auction, held in Joesepppi’s roomy deli area, gave bidders a great opportunity to peruse mouth-watering and positively artistic desserts, generously appointed gift baskets, gift certificates for terrific goods and services, and so much more.
Joesepppi’s restaurant owner,philanthropist and Tacoma icon, Joe Stortini, addressed the crowd with a warm Italian-style welcome and spirited speech on having a positive attitude and perseverance.
BEST Executive Director, Gloria Kraegel thanked auction participants for their attendance and participation.
BEST Program Director Penny Condoll updated the audience on the current BEST program offerings and expressed gratitude to her fellow teammates and board members for all their hard work and dedication to the mission and vision of BEST. BEST Training Coordinator Janet Novinger, Stitchin’ It Up! Coordinator Karen Shepard, and Outreach Support Coordinator Paul Bishop echoed Gloria and Penny’s words, and expressed their eagerness to continue on with the good works of the organization.
BEST Board President Tawnya Padilla and BEST Board Vice President Maggie DePuye-Phillips, along with Gloria Kraegel and Kim Thompson, served on the auction event committee. The auction team was delighted by the turnout and really enjoyed visiting with patrons. They expressed their personal thanks to those who supported the auction’s vision, planning, and execution.
Special thanks to Joe Stortini and his team at Joeseppi’s for their extraordinary service and warm hospitality, to all of the all wonderful event sponsors and other donors for their generosity and support, and finally, to all the family, friends, and supporters of BEST who made this evening possible with their generosity, encouragement, love and support.
To get a photo recap of the evening’s events, please visit our Facebook page here at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brain-Energy-Support-Team/165908016753065. In fact, “like” us on Facebook (and Twitter too!) to keep up on all the latest updates, information, and special events that BEST has to offer.
Enjoy!
Wow! We’re the featured story on The Ranger’s website; northwestmilitary.com. Check out the article at https://bit.ly/109iY76.
Did you know that 30% of soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been diagnosed as having had a TBI? Did you also know that Veterans’ advocates believe that between 10 and 20% of Iraq veterans, or 150,000 and 300,000 service members have some level of TBI? And according to the CDC blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in war zones.
We help our veterans returning home from conflicts abroad and transitioning back into civilian life increase their chances for success through support, mentoring, and classes. Recommend us. Be sure to support us (click the Donate Now button … over there… on the right of this page).
Thank you again to The Ranger and Kim Thompson for such a wonderful opportunity to share our message with Veterans and the community.
