BVT Celebrates Breckenridge Men’s Breakfast for 10th Year

Written by Beverly Flynn

Dale Cummings, The "C", performs live
Dale Cummings, The “C”, performs live

The rain may have poured but it did not dampen the spirits of the over 330 individuals who attended this year’s 10th Annual Robert L. Breckenridge Men’s Breakfast at the beautiful KE Bushman’s Celebration Center in Bullard, Texas. Some classic car owners braved the rainy conditions and brought their memorable vehicles to the car show despite the inclement weather. Meanwhile, the guests who stayed indoors enjoyed hot coffee while listening to classic songs performed by East Texas’ own, Dale Cummings, otherwise known as The “C”.

KTBB Radio personality, Bill Coates, began the program with stories of his days broadcasting high school and college ball games. He then had the privilege of introducing Elijah McCown, Luke McCown’s eleven-year-old son, to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Tony Black followed the pledge by singing the National Anthem.

Luke McCown with two of his six children
Luke McCown shown with two of his six children

Throughout the event, attendees lined up to bid on the wide variety of wonderful silent auction items provided by local businesses and individuals. After bids were placed, the guests took their seat at football-themed tables to enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by The Diner and served by the BVT staff and Ladies Auxiliary. The room was filled with men – both young and old – enjoying friendship and fellowship with one another.

Bob Holsomback showcases his rocking chair
Bob Holsomback showcases his rocking chair

As the meal started to wind down, an exciting and animated live auction began. This year’s live auction item was a craftsman-style rocking chair built by Bob Holsomback – longtime friend, donor, and supporter of BVT. The stunning chair was made from walnut wood and featured a calf-skin cushion. It took Bob over 200 hours of work to complete. The starting bid was $1,000 but the price quickly grew as men sparred over the coveted, custom-made rocking chair. To the cheers of everyone in the audience, the exquisite piece sold for a final bid of $6,000!

 

Volunteers helped serve breakfast
Volunteers helped serve breakfast

Once the bidding came to a close, Luke McCown, an East Texas native and former NFL quarterback, shared stories from his football career. In his 13 years of experience across seven NFL teams, Luke’s path did not always go the way he planned. However, he knew from his life verse in Proverbs 16:9 that “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (NKJV). Luke passionately encouraged his audience to “stand up and be men” who are firm in their faith, strong in their leadership, present and caring in their homes, and honest in their relationship with God. Luke continued, “Men should be the spiritual wind that blows in the sails of our families.” When Luke concluded his message, the audience gave a standing ovation in appreciation for his message of encouragement and wisdom. 

Special thanks goes to the Kiepersol family for their faithful support of Breckenridge Village and their generosity in offering the beautiful KE Bushman venue for this event. BVT is also very appreciative of Luke and his family, Bill Coates, The “C” Dale Cummings, the many businesses and individual table sponsors, the auction donors, the BVT Staff, the Ladies Auxiliary and the employees of The Diner. The day was a spectacular one all in benefit of the special individuals at Breckenridge Village.

To learn more about BVT, click here.

 

Brad Ezell Promoted to Director of Facilities

Brad Ezell joined Breckenridge Village of Tyler (BVT) in the Spring of 2014 as the Maintenance Supervisor, servicing the maintenance and grounds of the entire campus. Under Brad’s leadership, the 12 buildings, 75 acres, three irrigation ponds, and pool that make up the campus not only look phenomenal, but are also up to par with all safety and regulatory codes.
Photo: Blue Prints
When Brad began his tenure at BVT, he brought with him expertise and experience that made him the right fit for the job. What wasn’t obvious at the time was Brad’s depth of experience in building homes, and why that experience might matter.

In 2016, when BVT began a mission to expand their campus with three new homes (to be completed soon), Brad extended himself as the Project Manager for the construction project. It was a moment of divine intervention for BVT, one of many in the organization’s history of Christ-inspired service.

Brad came to us with home-building experience before we even knew that we would be building more homes,” notes Steven Campbell, Executive Director at BVT. “He has been instrumental in ensuring these homes are built not only with quality craftmanship, but also in accordance with plans and building safety codes.

The BVT construction crew and volunteer workers who have helped in the campus expansion plans will be responsible for building three 7,000 square foot homes in a year, despite numerous weather setbacks during construction. Brad has been a substantial part of that expansion.

Photo: Brad EzelleEven before campus expansion was such a significant part of Brad’s contribution to the BVT culture, Brad prioritized parts of BVT’s mission of service and care in ways that were unique to his perspective. Throughout his years at BVT, Brad has maintained quality relationships with the local Fire Marshall and Life Safety Inspectors, offering an approach that understands the value of community resources.

Brad has been paramount in leading or encouraging many projects over the years. His contributions to the campus have varied greatly in scope and consequence, but they have always managed to make an impact that benefits the health and quality of BVT’s facilities. Brad’s alterations to the Tyler campus may go unnoticed to those who don’t see BVT very often, but for the staff, residents, and their families who interact with the campus on a regular basis, it is clear to see the many accomplishments that Brad has introduced to the community at Breckenridge. In light of what he has offered to the campus over the years, through service and experience, the BVT leadership has awarded Brad with a new position in the BVT family.

“As of September 1, we are promoting Brad to Director of Facilities,” says Steven. “We feel like a promotion is well-deserved for not only his proven track record and service at Breckenridge, but also because of catapulting BVT to a new level through his work during expansion – he has proven to be a leader and fully capable of that role.”

In many ways, Steven admits, Brad’s title is finally catching up to the numerous aspects at BVT that he’s overseen. In other ways, Brad’s new position as Director of Facilities is a sign of what is to come for the life and legacy of BVT. “With increased growth comes increased responsibility,” Steven says.

When asked about what he looks forward to in his new role, Brad notes his expectations for the current expansion project as well as his hopes for the future construction of a new day habilitation facility. In each new project, a simple guideline illustrates the quality of what Brad strives to create. “I look for ways to make the campus safer while still keeping the feel of a forever home.”

For more information about BVT, please visit www.BreckenridgeVillage.com.

Breckenridge Village of Tyler Salutes America

Breckenridge Village of Tyler Salutes America at Eighth Annual Night to Remember

Photo: Family at Night to Remember Event

More than 700 guests sang, danced and laughed at Breckenridge Village of Tyler’s (BVT) Eighth Annual “A Night to Remember” on Friday, February 24, at the KE Bushman’s Celebration Center. Red, white and blue décor, a Statue of Liberty replica, and flags representing each branch of the Armed Forces accented the event’s patriotic theme, Stars, Stripes and Lots of Laughter.

Event headliner, comedian Jeff Allen, brought the laughs with his family-friendly, side-splitting brand of humor. Allen has performed his comedy for audiences for more than forty years, drawing from his experiences as a husband, father and grandparent.
“People are still calling and saying they hadn’t laughed that much in years,” said Linda Taylor, BVT Associate Executive Director of Advancement. 
Warming up the stage for Allen were musical performances by George Faber & Friends, Casey Rivers (star of TV show Nashville Star) and Texas’ all-women quartet, Shake Rattle & Roll. Shake Rattle & Roll, known for performing their repertoire of oldies in beautiful harmonies, offered their rendition of The Shirelles’ 1962 hit, Soldier Boy, in serenade to Mr. Ardene Hendley, a World War II veteran and BVT volunteer who attended the event.

“The highlight of the evening was definitely the residents – from kicking off the show with the prayer and the pledge, down to wearing their lighted hats and proudly waving an American flag in their grand finale performance, to a standing ovation from those in attendance,” said Taylor. “All their beautiful smiles and happy faces reflected their genuine love for God, family and country.”

Photo: Man speaking at Night to Remember Event

A young woman who lives at BVT, Erin, led the audience in prayer at the start of the show, and Jesse, a participant in BVT’s day-program, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Later in the program, BVT residents donned illuminated patriotic hats and marched down the center aisle singing the century-old patriotic march “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

“They’re always awesome,” said Taylor of the BVT residents, “the people were on their feet!”

Donors and community partners who helped make the annual event possible include the de Wet family of Kiepersol Enterprises, Sandy King, and Chick-fil-A sponsors, Jeff & Debra Johnston and Ikey & Allison Eason. All proceeds from A Night to Remember benefit the residents and day-program participants through the scholarship fund at BVT, a faith-based community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about BVT, visit BreckeridgeVillage.com.

BVT Partners with Boys & Girls Club of East Texas

Each week, the residents of BVT attend a variety of activities at the Boys & Girls Club of East Texas. The residents are offered an assortment of recreational and educational activities that promote social skills, life skills, and even vocational skills. Most recently, the Boys & Girls Club of East Texas partnered with Aquaponics and Earth, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping make orphanages and children’s homes self-sustaining in underdeveloped or poverty stricken communities and countries.

The Tyler Rotary Club also partnered with the organizations to provide monetary support to build a small version of the Aquaponics system at the Boys & Girls Main Club facility in Tyler. The system is used as a pilot project and has caught the eye of several local and regional groups interested in building a system of their own.

The system is designed with various tanks full of tilapia; the waste from the tilapia serves as a rich fertilizer for plants, vegetables, crops, etc. The system carries water from the fish tanks, up to the garden for irrigation, and eventually drains back into the water tank. Rather than soil, the plants are grown in small pebbles making the system virtually maintenance-free. If desired, the plants can be pulled out of the system and planted elsewhere to provide additional growth and space for even more vegetation. The system produces plants at an accelerated rate, due to the rich fertilizer produced by the fish.

Mitch Erwin, Executive Director of Camp in the City at the Boys & Girls Club of East Texas, was thrilled to have the Aquaponics System at their facility. Several people from around the area have come to visit this ‘one of a kind’ system. Erwin said that he hopes one day to expand the system to a whole new level and possibly even develop a “mini-market” in which BVT residents could become involved in. Mr. Erwin stated that it was his intention for the BVT residents to take an active role in the system and to assist in the development and management of the growing and selling of crops.

For additional information regarding the Aquaponics System, you may contact Mitch at the Boys & Girls Club of East Texas.