ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BARBEQUE!

 Once again, we were blessed with a successful barbeque and silent auction!  This is always a special day for everyone associated with New Horizons, as we all enjoy spending time with friends who have a heart for our residents.  Our entertainment was absolutely unbelievable!  Stephanie Simon, a professional violinist, entertained us with incredible music, ranging from classical, to country, to gospel.  We were also blessed with outstanding music from Andy and Dena Peaveyhouse.  We are so very grateful to Stephanie, Andy and Dena for making this event something that will be long remembered.  We also want to thank Sandra Ray for decorating our younger guests with delightful face designs!  Last but not least, the meal, catered by Smokey Bones, was delicious! Many of you also commented about how much you enjoy having the event at the Central Baptist Christian School gymnasium.  We are grateful to them for allowing us to use their beautiful facility.

A special Thank You to the BBQ Sponsors:

 Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Anderson                     Mrs. Pat Forsythe

Brandon Realty                                              Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gurley

Mr. & Mrs. William Collins                          Mr. & Mrs. Fred Scarcelli

Mr. & Mrs. James Dean                                Mr. & Mrs. Peter Watkins

Famous Tate

We appreciate all of the businesses and individuals who supported us so generously.  Please support them!  The items for the Silent Auction were amazing and people were smiling as they left with their treasures!  We also appreciate all of you who worked before, during, and after the event to make it a success.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Trudy Carey and family accepting the

New Horizons 2012 ornament

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

We are excited about being able to partner with others in the Brandon community to present a workshop that will address many of the questions that arise in families with special needs.  This workshop, open to anyone who is interested, will be held on March 3^rd at Cornerstone Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until noon.  We are thrilled to have the following presenters:  Celeste Clancy, representing Romero Insurance and Financial Services; Attorney Mary Greenwood, representing Brandon Family Law; and Joanna Verga, representing Dignity Memorial.  Mitch Turner, the Executive Director of New Horizons, will also be available to answer questions.  Please leave your checkbooks at home, as this will be a workshop to provide you with information that will help you with planning for your family’s needs.  There will be no pressure to buy anything.  There will be light refreshments served and a gift for each family that attends, so we need to have reservations for planning purposes.

If you would like to attend, please call Brenda Watkins at 653-2466 by February 25^th to reserve a space.  

                                          BRANDON KEEPSAKE ORNAMENTS

 For seventeen years, we have been designing historical keepsake ornaments for the Brandon community.  This has been a great fundraiser for us, and we have enjoyed learning about the history of Brandon in the process.  Many families in Brandon have the ornaments framed or on small table-top trees that are out all year, reminding them of the rich history of Brandon.

Although we have sold out of four of them, we still have the others.  Following is a list of those that we have:

• 1996          Brandon Florida Depot
• 1997          Old Brandon School
• 1998          Sharrar’s General Store
• 1999          Brandon Woman’s Club
• 2002          First Baptist Church Brandon
• 2003          Valrico Civic Center
• 2005          Brandon Supply Company
• 2006          Bill’s Prescription Center
• 2007          Martin’s Jewelers
• 2008          Limona Improvement Association
• 2009          Scogins Department Store
• 2010          Hamp’s Garage
• 2011          Carey Cattle Company

Some of you may not have gotten yours this year, and we are happy to tell you that the businesses that sell them for us will have them all year.  The inventory is dwindling on some of them, including the most recent one. You may get them at the following places. Remember, these businesses receive no compensation from us, and we truly appreciate their help.

• Age’s Art & Frame
• Bill’s Prescription Center
• Greg’s Hallmark - Bloomingdale
• Martin’s Jewelers
• Rainbow Engraving
• The Frame Shop & Gallery
• Victorian Grace Tea Room

 REFLECTIONS

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reflect on the previous years and to contemplate the future.  In looking back, we realize that we have been asking for—and receiving—support for almost twenty years from wonderful people who believe in the mission of New Horizons Group Homes—to provide loving, Christian-based homes for adults with developmental disabilities.  During that time, we have seen highs and lows, have received tremendous blessings and some disappointments.  Through it all, God has been constant, always providing what He knew was best for us.

The years have seen New Horizons go from being a dream in the hearts of a small group of people to providing homes to six ladies and six men.  Our residents take pride in caring for their homes and enjoy the friendships that they have developed there. They have a great sense of independence, while living in a safe and secure environment, and are productive and very active members of the Brandon community.

In looking ahead, we face the challenge of operating in a “down” economy.  It seems that when tough decisions need to be made by our state legislature, services for individuals with developmental disabilities always seem to be at the top of the list.  Because of this, we need to make up a shortfall in Medwaiver funding.  Please pray about how you can help us continue the very important work of New Horizons.  We especially need people/businesses who are able to donate on a monthly basis.  We are so very thankful for all of you who have been faithful for so many years.

“People make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true.  Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”   Proverbs 16: 1, 3

Thankfully,
Peter F. Watkins, Jr.
President, Board of Directors

                                                     PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Last year we had our first ever PANCAKE BREAKFAST, and it was a great success!!!  We are planning another one this year for April 14, 8 a.m. until noon at Cornerstone Baptist Church.  You will be able to see us from the road, as this will be outside.  Once again, we will be partnering with ECHO and will split the proceeds with them.  We are thrilled that IHOP on State Road 60 will once again donate everything, providing us with delicious food, which they will prepare and serve, while asking nothing from us except that we enjoy it!  The breakfast will be $5, and we hope that many of you will stop by and join us for good food and fellowship.

We are also planning a pancake eating contest.  This was tremendous fun last year, with four awesome men racing (or eating) to the finish!  We hope that more people will join in the fun this year!

Remember, all proceeds will be divided between New Horizons Group Homes and ECHO, two worthy charitable organizations in Brandon.  This is a great opportunity to help others in your community while enjoying a great breakfast.

 

Stephanie Simon—WOW!!!

                                                     RESIDENT ACTIVITIES

The residents enjoyed the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, with everyone spending time away from the homes with family and special friends during both holidays.  They were also treated to a fun evening when a life group from Bay Life Church helped them make gingerbread houses.  This has become an annual event that they really enjoy.  Another fun evening was the Special Ministries Christmas party with their friends from First Baptist Church Brandon, complete with dinner, a visit from Santa, a gift exchange, and caroling.  Of course, they also enjoyed the Christmas party at New Horizons with their families.  All in all, they had a busy November and December!

 

     Brenda reading a Christmas story at the Special Ministries Christmas party

                                                                WISH LIST

It would be nice if we did not need to have a wish list, but because we are a nonprofit organization, we must ask for your help.  Our residents are our Number One priority, and everything that we ask for will be used for their benefit.  That being said, the following are things that would greatly benefit them:

• PRAYER WARRIORS
• A handyman who would be available as needed
• Pressure washing of both homes
• A new sofa for the ladies’ home
• An iron
• Individuals or groups to “sponsor” an individual resident on a monthly basis.  The residents’ monthly fee and the funding that they receive from Medwaiver do not begin to cover the expenses of running the homes.