From Esther Shelton:

“You are STRONG!  You ROCK!”  Encouragement poured from the Girls On The Run (GOTR) Northeast Tennessee coaches, staff and board, family and friends, and local community supporting the girls. 

On Sunday May 15, 2011, GOTR held the spring 5k race at Milligan College celebrating the completion of the semester’s after-school program for elementary/middle school aged girls.  The GOTR program utilizes running/walking and group activities to teach the girls respect, self-esteem, click-free friendships, healthy living, smart choices, and positive images.  GOTR’s mission:  “To educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” 

Sunday’s 3.1 mile run/ walk focused on the girls.  This non-competitive community event was the highlight event of their 12-week program.  Over 400 program-girls and 850 community men, women, and children were involved in the GOTR event.

Joining the exciting atmosphere, nine employees of Blackburn Childers & Steagall, PLC and their friends/family participated in Sunday’s GOTR event.  BCS administered the registration tables, which were constantly busy with people.   It was a good chance to utilize our financial and organizational skills to help our local community. 

We also had three “BCS Fit & Fabulous” runners/walkers, who completed the entire hilly course.  On the sidelines, we cheered for the girls and community participants. 

And the race is just the beginning.  For over two years, BCS employees and friends/family have served as GOTR Board Treasurer, race volunteers, and committee members.  Also, there are several employees interested in coaching, supporting financially, and volunteering in the future.

All photos by Spencer Hochstetler

BCS, Citigroup and Holston Habitat for Humanity, hosted the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 25, 2011 to launch a new Habitat home construction in Johnson City at the home site, 1401 East Holston Avenue.

This project is the largest one to date that we have taken on so we are excited about being able to team with both Citi and Habitat because we know both have great reputations for giving back to our region.  

Click Here For The Gallery!

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Click on the article to read about the Groundbreaking Ceremony of our Habitat for Humanity house!

As a resident of one of the storm-affected areas of Greene County, I want to sincerely thank everyone at BCS and throughout the region who has donated money and needed items to aid the victims of the tornadoes on the night of April 27th.  My church, Greystone Free Will Baptist, serves as a collection and distribution point for food, drinks, clothes, bedding, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and many other items. 

In Greene County, there were 85 homes completely destroyed by the tornado, and another 101 affected, not to mention the widespread property damage suffered by hundreds in Camp Creek, Greystone, and Horse Creek.  Seven people were killed. 

We have distributed nearly everything donated through BCS, including tents and blankets to people who had no shelter.  Everyone I have talked to is extremely grateful of this assistance.

Clean up will take a long time, from clearing downed and damaged trees to picking up debris in fields and woods to rebuilding what was left, Greene County has a long road ahead.  Please remember Greene County in your prayers.

From Partner Kevin Peters:

This week, BCS’ “50 Weeks of Giving” event was to provide meals at the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House (“House”).  The House is located in Johnson City, TN.  The mission of the House is to provide a temporary home-away-from-home for children and families of seriously ill children receiving medical care in any local hospital.  To help the House and provide something special for the guests, a group from BCS met on Thursday evening to prepare a home-cooked meal.  Several of us assisted in the meal or provided money to help with the cost of purchasing food. Our Thursday evening meal included pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade sour dough bread and dessert.  On Saturday, we provided a brunch consisting of breakfast casseroles and pastries. 

We probably take a good meal for granted, but sometimes the simplest of things can make a difference.  The guests at the House often have a stressful and very long day visiting their child in the hospital.  Hopefully, our comfort food was able to meet a very basic need for nourishment. 

Those of us that helped with these events, certainly enjoyed a good time of fellowship but also received a great blessing in being able to provide the meals. We certainly used our team work skills during food prep and clean-up. 

BCS has a long history of supporting the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.  BCS employees that have served or currently serve on the Board of Directors include: Tommy Greer, James Motte, Kevin Peters and Siena Rambo.