In 1992, several parents, teachers and friends of members of the Special Ministries Department at First Baptist Church of Brandon identified a need for long-term living facilities for developmentally disabled men and women. A committee was formed to investigate the requirements to undertake this task. Out of this group, New Horizons Group Homes Inc. was born.
The mission of New Horizons Group Homes Inc. is to provide a family-oriented Christian group home living environment supporting adults with disabilities to achieve their highest potential for independence through a variety of services emphasizing faith, family, choice, independence, dignity and respect.
On Saturday, November 18, it will be hosting its 28th annual Barbecue and Silent Auction Fundraiser. The barbecue will be held at Central Baptist Church and Christian School, located at 402 E. Windhorst Rd. in Brandon, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tickets to the barbecue cost $20 and can be purchased at the New Horizons Group Home’s office.
“This is our major fundraiser of the year, and we always look forward to getting together with friends that we don’t see often enough,” said Brenda Watkins of New Horizons Group Home. “The event will be catered by BubbaQue’s. Entertainment will be provided by Dennis Lee and his band and Stephanie Ann playing her amazing strad-a-fiddle. We have been hoping to realize at least $20,000 to be used for much-needed repairs and upgrades.”
Sponsorships are still being accepted for the upcoming barbecue.
“We are still looking for sponsors, with six levels going from $250 to $10,000,” Watkins said. “We would appreciate any amount that someone would like to donate. Each sponsorship will be acknowledged at the event on a list at the barbecue and also on the bid sheets, as well as in the next newsletter.”
Watkins and the staff at New Horizons Group Home hope that the community will come out and show their support for this year’s barbecue.
“I love seeing the residents interact with everyone at the event,” Watkins said. “Our residents are capable of so much and have a great sense of independence while having 24/7 supervision. Some of them work out in the community, while others go to day programs. They are productive members of our community and are encouraged to reach their full potential and become all that God created them to be. Because we are a faith-based nonprofit, we always appreciate any help that we receive from the community. I’d especially like to thank all of the businesses who donate items for our silent auction. We are blessed to live in such a supportive community.”
If you would like to learn more about New Horizons Group Home or be a part of its upcoming fundraiser, you can visit its website at www.newhorizonshomes.org or call 813-571-2690. New Horizons Group Home is located at 109 E. Clay Ave. in Brandon.
