The Next Stop News October, 2014

Hi Friends of The Next Stop!

We are so excited to announce that for the 4th straight year, we are offering a chance for two people to go to the ultimate football experience--the Super Bowl!

This fundraising campaign has been a blast for our entire community the past few years. Members love to sell tickets to their families and neighbors. Friends of The Next Stop love buying tickets in hopes of winning a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the biggest event in sports.

Here's a few reminders of how the raffle works. If you win, the tickets are yours to give away or sell, even if you don't wish to go to the game. The $2,500 we give you in travel expenses can be used however you wish. The odds of winning are really good as we only sell a total of 2500 raffle tickets.

We've also added a fun new incentive this year: for every 10 tickets you buy in a single purchase, you get a free ticket entry! Purchasing raffle ticket(s) is easy! Click on http://www.thenextstop.org/the-big-game/ and follow the directions.

If you want to help support this fundraiser, the first thing you can do is buy a raffle ticket. The next is to forward this email to your friend network with a note of support for The Next Stop. Lastly, share this post on your Facebook page so your network can be aware of our sweepstakes.

We can't provide the program we do without the help of our amazing community, so thank you for purchasing tickets and spreading the word!

Stu and Vicki LaRoche, Founders

AROUND the WORLD with The Next Stop!

The Around the World event on October 17th was a celebration of The Next Stop and our members. The night was described as "amazing", "enchanting" and "awesome" by our members and guests.
More than 250 friends and family enjoyed an evening of fun--music, dinner and fellowship. But, there was something different about this evening.....we all witnessed adults who each have special needs be a part of something bigger. They contributed in different ways to make this evening such a success. Their collaborative efforts and teamwork helped bring the best out of each and every person involved.

Besides preparing all the lasagna and desserts for the dinner, members participated in a musical presentation choreographed and directed by our music therapist Miquel Garland. Musical pieces from Africa, Scotland and England were performed and also a crowd pleasing rendition of the song "Happy" with the chorus being done using sign language.

Members had spent weeks and weeks planning, preparing and practicing for this night. It was a night that truly belonged to them, and for those that attended, it was amazing to stand back and watch in admiration.

Our talented band providing fun & lively Latin music

Publix from McGinnis Crossing serving lasagna to our guests!

Members FINALLY get to eat what they have been preparing for 2 months!

Music Therapist Miquel introducing the music

Part of the England group performing "Music, Sweet Music"

Part of the Scotland group performing "Loch Lomond"

Two of our many percussionists performing African piece "Funga Alafia"

A Member's Memo.....

I've been coming to The Next Stop ever since May. At first, when I started coming I didn't really know any of the members at all. But, now I've made a lot of really good friends with the members there and they just put a smile on my face whenever I go see them. I really like The Next Stop because it's a great opportunity for me to go for an entire Thursday afternoon to go and spend time with my friends.

I love all the great and wonderful things that we cook for snack/lunch and to me, the whole afternoon is really fun. I think Around the World was fun because I really enjoyed playing the guitar and introducing my parents to the other members. The whole evening to me was a lot of fun.

I must say that I'm really glad that my parents signed me up to start attending this.

Jamie

The Next Stop THANKS.....

The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation for their recent $20,000 grant award.

Those who donated their time and talent for Around the World:

McGinnis Crossing PUBLIX for sponsoring dinner and serving,

Vic Blanco and his fellow musicians for entertaining us,

Kim Munier and Jay Smith for taking great photos,

North Gwinnett High School's National Art Honor Society led by teacher

Mrs. Debi West for planning and executing an Aborginal art day at The

Next stop,

Next Stop's Board of Directors, staff and program volunteers who went

above and beyond to plan, prepare and set up, and

Volunteers from Rising Church and Christ Lutheran Church for serving,

cleaning, breaking down and anything else we needed!

Other Easy Ways to Help The Next Stop

Do you order from Amazon?

Amazon will give 0.5% of your purchase to The Next Stop!

Go to: Smile.amazon.com and sign up.

Do you shop at Kroger?

Each time you use your Kroger Plus card, they will donate to The Next Stop!

Go to: krogercommunityrewards.com and sign up!

You will need your Kroger Plus Card to create an account.

The Next Stop NPO number is 95908.

You have to re-register each year.

Share this newsletter!

"Like" us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter

Thank you for being a FRIEND to

The Next Stop!

ThanksTThanhankk