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If your brain injury is the result of military service (or occurred while serving in the US armed forces), call Ben Shaw, Veteran Peer Specialist for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program for additional information about veteran/military-specific services.

Ben Shaw, OIF/OEF Combat Veteran
Veteran Peer Specialist
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program / Region Ten CSB
434.962.0175
www.wearevirginiaveterans.org

What: A fun(d)raiser with silent auction
When: Thursday March 24th 2011
5:30 – 7:30
Where: Siips Wine & Champagne Bar on the downtown mall
Who: Celebrity bartender Jane Foy from WINA and her husband Pat will pour your drinks.

Please join us for excellent wines, tasty foods, and meaningful camaraderie!
Our silent auction will continue at our next event, March the 31st at the Jefferson Theater “Aha! An Evening of Humor, Hope, and Healing.
All tips and a percentage of the tab will go directly to Building a Bridge.
Check out our Facebook site

*Aha! An Evening of Humor, Hope and Healing.*

Aha! Is a benefit show featuring a reception with UVA head football coach Mike London and a clean, funny standup comedy show showcasing nationally recognized standup comedians, hosted by WINA’s Jane Foy.

Aha! Is A Party with Purpose!

All proceeds go to Building a Bridge!

Reception
At the reception and silent auction that precedes the comedy show, our honored guest UVA football coach Mike London will take a few minutes from his busy schedule to remind us why we must never give up. Coach London will share with us some of his compelling personal narrative. As a community leader who shares our determination to make the most out of what we’ve got and our vision to move forward with our lives Building a Bridge will present him with our first ever “Never Quit” award.

Comedy show
After the reception the evening continues with Jane Foy from WINA, Co-host and Producer at the Charlottesville Radiogroup who will host the comedy show introducing our two comedians:
Frequent guest on The Tonight Show and recipient of the National Humor Treasure Award, Brett Leake will be headlining the evening. Brett, himself no stranger to adversity, describes himself as a sit-down stand up comic as he performs his act from a wheelchair.

Tony Deyo, a comic and former professional symphony musician, who bills himself as semi-obscure but who co-authored The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Jokes and was part of HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival will also entertain.

Date: March 31st 2011
Time: Reception 6:30 pm, Comedy show 7:30 pm
Location: Jefferson Theater, 110 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Ticket price: $75 — Reception and comedy show, $20 — Comedy show only

For more information and tickets:
Daniela Ghaida (434) 989-1274; [email protected]
Tickets also at Siips at the downtown mall
Tickets online at the Jefferson Theater

Sponsors of the evening include Attorneys Gary Kendall and Greg Webb, and the MichieHamlett Attorneys at Law, Virginia National Bank and Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen law firm

Check out our Facebook site and the event site!

Dear friends, families and fellow supporters of Building a Bridge,

Happy New Year 2011 to all of you.
The year 2010 was exciting for us in so many aspects. For instance in June, we received a wonderful donation, a Toyota seven-seater van, as we reported earlier. At that time, I told Charlottesville’s The Daily Progress the van was “more than I could have hoped for.” Little did we know at the time just how fast our Bridgers would take to it — kayaking in the Chesapeake Bay, visiting a farm in Staunton, and touring Washington DC and the National Zoo, the Mall, and its monuments.

So, too, the spirit of Building a Bridge has been on the move as we have expanded our outreach with Celebrity Bartending, VSA Art Show, 10-10-10 Loving the Arts, the Day of Caring, Celebration of Community and the Heritage Holiday Parade, while welcoming new volunteer residential counselors from as far away as California and Germany.
Our dedicated staff has provided reliable support and — in addition to what I mentioned above— many happy and fun moments for our residents: bowling trips, birthday parties and the Halloween party, just to name a few.

The year then ended with our Belmont Christmas party, where we welcomed families and many friends from the Charlottesville community.

I am glad to report that, as our economy continues to rise up from the Great Recession, the year 2010 has proven to be one of the most fulfilling years in Building a Bridge’s recent history. Thanks to your year-end donations, we have a good start into 2011 to keep up the momentum and hope to make 2011 the best year yet.
Thank you to all our wonderful and committed supporters.
Best wishes to all of you.
Daniela Ghaida – Executive Director

‘The Daily Progress was able to say “the folks at Building a Bridge are an above average family” because people like you make us a part of yours.’

Photos provided by Amber Critchley and Joan Bullard

We are currently accepting applications for our program. Individuals who

1. have sustained traumatic brain injuries,
2. are between the age of 21 and 55 years, and
3. are able to function in and benefit from a supported living environment in a small community of similarly disabled individuals under the guidance of experienced counselors,

or their representative(s) may apply for admission to Building a Bridge by requesting an appointment with the Executive Director. Referrals may be made from any source, including, but not limited to self, family members, trustees, guardians, and agencies supporting such disabled individuals.

Upon receipt of such request, the Executive Director will schedule a meeting at a day and time convenient to the applicant to initiate the application process. The Executive Director will assist the applicant or the applicant’s representative in completing the application material.

Please contact Dr. Daniela Ghaida at (434) 989-1274 or for further information.

Last weekend the “Belmonters” went to Carter Mountain Orchard to pick pumpkins. The weather was beautiful and the group enjoyed the warm temperatures at the outing. See for yourself!

Thanks for checking into our website to read the fall news of Building a Bridge.
Our event “Lovin’ the Arts at 10-10-10” last Sunday at Random Row Bookstore was a great success, a lot of fun and a good opportunity to introduce our organization to people who did not know much about us. It was also great to see old friends and the families of our residents. We have amazing supporters.
Our residents showed some of their art work, and they played two of their newly composed songs. Local artist Robin Hoffman drew caricatures of anyone who was not afraid to be portrait with a big head, and two musicians, Blue O’Connell and Michael Jones, played the guitar jammed to entertain.
Towards the end, Todd introduced our fun “Wednesday-after-dinner” dance routine.
Thanks so much to all our guests and friends for coming that afternoon and for your contributions. Residents and staff equally enjoyed the day greatly. Here are some shots of the afternoon.

Organized by Health South from the University of Virginia, Heinz received an award in recognition for his dedication and support of the brain injured persons in our community.
A barbecue and music was arranged on a warm sunny afternoon, and most of us could be there for the ceremony. Enjoy the photos.

Congratulation Heinz!

The law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen have added a Bridge article to their blog and Facebook site.
Blog Article and
Facebook Post

Special thanks to Emily Krause and Christopher Guedri.