Category: News

The number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328 in 2012. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011. Put down the food. Call a cab if you’ve been drinking. Don’t touch your phone, and use #X. The hashtag is a quick way people can let friends know that you’re getting behind the wheel and WILL NOT BE texting while driving.

Long time friend and supporter of our organization, Patty Grimm, experienced first hand the terrible consequences of somebody driving distracted. Here is her story:

“March is ‘Brain Injury Awareness Month’ and I want to share my story in hopes that it will make people think twice about driving while eating, drinking, smoking or texting and talking on the phone. On a beautiful May day in 2011 I was cruising the speed limit of 55 mph up route 20 towards Orange, VA for my job. Out of nowhere I saw a BMW side swipe the car approximately 100 yards in front of me and roll off the side of the road. At that moment I knew it was going to overcompensate and come back for me, and it did. Within one second the BMW hit me head on at a high rate of speed, rolled down the driver side of my car and pushed me into the guard rail. I prepared to die and prayed to God. After the impact was over I found myself alive, trapped in my car, my legs crushed by engine and dashboard, and afraid the car was on fire.

(Pictured below is the aftermath of the vehicle Patty was driving)

We will never know why the driver of the car that hit me became distracted and lost control of his car, he died on the impact. It could have been from becoming distracted by his phone or opening the beer he was indulging in. Regardless his decision that day changed my life forever. It’s been almost 4 years since the crash and I have endured over 12 surgeries to rebuild my legs and continue to recover. My neurological physicians at UVA are amazed that I only suffer from hearing problems and PTSD, and did not sustain a brain injury considering my body was able to take 110 mph of impact.
My story is a positive “brain” outcome for a person that experienced the impact that I did. For so many others this is not the case. Please, do not drive distracted.” -Patty Grimm

Please think twice before you drive distracted. No text, drink or food item is worth anyone getting injured or losing their life over. Be the difference. Remind yourself and others to drive to arrive alive.

Did you know that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month?

You can help prevent a brain injury by taking the steps to prevent falls, wearing a seat belt and of course, wearing a helmet! Click here and join us in the pledge to wear a helmet!

“It’s uncomfortable and hot. It messes up my hair. It isn’t cool. I’m only going a short distance. I’m not going to fall, so I don’t need one.”
Above are just a few reasons people give for not putting a helmet on. But the truth is, a helmet can prevent a brain injury and even save your life. Remember- Helmets are not just for children; helmets are important at any age!

Did you know that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury up to 88%? They help to absorb the energy from an impact instead of your head and brain! Be sure to protect your melon!

Be sure to wear the right helmet!
All helmets are not the same. There are many different helmets for different activities. Each particular type of helmet is designed to protect your head from the impacts common to each a particular activity or sport. Be sure to wear a helmet that is appropriate for the particular activity you’re involved in. Other helmets may not protect your head as effectively.

Have you heard? We’ve merged!

Building Bridges Charlottesville is proud to announce that we have merged with the Virginia NeuroCare Foundation to create The BridgeLine!
The merger will make the services more efficient, allow us more long-term stability and create a full-service organization for those with brain injuries.

Thank you to the staff, board members, friends, families and media supporters who came out and watched us “tie the knot”! We are very excited for this new journey as one!

Why BridgeLine?
A bridge line is the first and strongest thread a spider spins to anchor his web. From that beginning, connections to other points are made and then web grows in strength, scope, stability and effect.
In the same sense, BridgeLine, creates a strong foundation to empower adults with brain injuries in all aspects of their lives.

Click here to visit our new Facebook page
We will have our new logo and website up and running soon. Stay tuned!

“I think if I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.” ― Jon Katz

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” ― Anaïs Nin

“Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this life—and they are the only things from this world that we could hope to see in the next.” ― Dean Koontz

“Friends are the family you choose.” ― Jess C. Scott

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ― John Holmes

“There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.” ― Charlotte Brontë

October 18th, 2014 we had a Clean Comedy Night featuring nationally touring comedians Mark Matusof and Mike Easmeil. The night was full of so many smiles and laughter.

THANK YOU to our dear friends and supporters Mary Miller and Brett Leake for helping make this night possible and the Building Bridges Charlottesville Board of Directors who underwrote the entire event. THANK YOU to Toan Nguyen and C’ville Coffee for the venue and their continued support.

THANK YOU to Sir Speedy for printing our event posters and last, but not least, THANK YOU to the comedians Mark & Mike for filling the room with smiles and laughter! We are so grateful for you all!

Click here to check out this video clip from our Comedy Night last year!
Dr. Jeff Barth tries to wash his own clothes for a change and is confronted with all those confusing dials!

Be sure to RSVP for our upcoming Comedy Night on April 18th! Click here to RSVP!

It’s that time again!
Building Bridges Charlottesville Presents:
Comedy Night! Come Laugh with Us!
90 minutes of entertainment!

Date: Saturday April 18th, 2015

Time: Doors open at 7pm

Where: Cville Coffee
1301 Harris Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903

$12 Cover charge, $10 goes directly to Building Bridges.

Cville coffee offers an à la carte menu including dinner items, quality beers and wine, as well as other refreshments.

Please RSVP with Amber Rexrode at:
amber@buildingbridgescharlottesville.org
or 434-987-8906

Last night we had a wonderful Guest Chef dinner! Our long time friend and supporter Sue Liberman came and prepared a fabulous meal for us along with tasty desserts! It is so fun to gather around a table with great food and wonderful company. THANK YOU SUE!!!

“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.” -Giada De Laurentiis

Our Guest Chef for a Dinner program began on November 6th, 2011. Our first Guest Chefs were our friend Brett’s mom and her husband, Sylvia and Max Reinhardt. They were just amazing, VERY creative and fun. The meal was DELICIOUS. We were treated to a trout souffle, broccoli with shiitake soy ginger sauce, beets, potatoes anna and home-made bread (with sun dried tomatoes, herbs and olives)!

Sylvia also presented us with a figurine that she made, (pictured above) of a chef about to trip over a cat! We have since had every one or our Guest Chefs take a photo with it! What a fabulous way to kick off our program!

Since we have started the Guest Chef for a Dinner program we have had so many wonderful people come and cook for us. Some of our great friends and supporters, along with Daniela’s parents, all the way from Germany!

In September of 2013, we were treated to a dinner prepared by Jack Hanny, who was a White House Chef and cooked for 6 different Presidents! We were so lucky to have him in our home with a delicious meal and telling exciting stories of his life.

The past 3 years of our Guest Chef program have been absolutely wonderful. We have had so many good times around the dining table. From the delicious food to the great conversations, we appreciate everyone who has come in and spent time with us.

If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in our Guest Chef program, contact us for more information! We’d love to have you! Email Amber Rexrode at amber@buildingbridgescharlottesville.org to hear more and to book a date!

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
― Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year! Thank you to all of our generous friends and donors who supported us in 2014! At Casino Night, the June Party and our Comedy Night, we had so much fun seeing friends, families and supporters along with making new ones! This year we are excited to start renovating a kitchen in one of our homes to comply with ADA guidelines along with installing a HVAC system! Follow us here and on our Facebook Site for frequent updates on these projects and upcoming events!

The Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation announced the recipients of the most recent grant cycle. Building Bridges Charlottesville is honored to be a recipient in this cycle. These funds will go towards renovating a kitchen in one of our homes to comply with ADA guidelines.

The Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) supports charitable programs locally in the Charlottesville area, nationally and internationally. Program interests include, but are not limited to: disadvantaged youth, needs of the disabled, protection of the environment, and the arts and humanities. Dave Matthews Band and its members have made an impact with their music and by improving the lives of thousands of people. In the most recent grant cycle, fifty-four organizations received $354,300 in grant awards. The fund has made over 800 grants totaling more than $15 million since its inception. More information is available here