BRIGHT Children International is holding our second annual fundraiser. The time on the Hornblower last year was so enjoyable, we decided to do it again.  This time for a champagne brunch cruise.  The menu is extensive and will have plenty to offer including:

• Chef's Bakery Basket--fresh baked breads, pastires, croissants and muffins
• Seasonal Fruit display
• Salads--Asiago Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons, Asparagus Salad with Queso Fresco and Lemon Vinaigrette, and Couscous with Mandarin Oranges and Ming
• Breakfast--Frehnch Toast Valencia with Vermont Maple Syrup, whipped cream and fresh berries, Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs with Pepper Confit, Chef's assorted quiches, Smoked Bacon and Breakfast Sausage, and Home Fried Potatoes with Peppers and Onions
• Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Aioli, Ham with Country Mustards, and Hot Vegetarian Pasta
• Desserts--Banana Bread Pudding with Carmel Sauce, Assorted Premium Cakes, pies, and petit fours.

The cruise will travel on the Sacramento River through the Sacramento area departing from Historic Old Sacramento.  The cruise will last for two hours while enjoying the brunch offerings and a glass of champagne.  There will be a cash bar for additional beverages.  In addition, there will be a silent auction with items including jewelry, gift baskets, wine, a Miche bag, Tastefully Simple, Arbonne products, a sterling silver tea set, and much more.

The fundraiser is to raise funds to cover the expenses to send two Music Therapists to Beijing, China August 17-26 in partnership with All God's Children International.  The BRIGHT team will join a team of others to serve children with special needs in orphanages.  The goal of the therapists is to provide interactive music interventions to encourage skill building, provide training to the care providers on how to incorporate music to assist in development of skills, and to spend time assisting in the orphanges.  Two of the orphanages are Harmony House (http:harmonyoutreach.org/default.aspx) and New Day Foster Home (http:www.newdaycreations.com/foster). There is a possibility of also visiting a governement run facility as well.  BRIGHT will be donating instruments to the facilities that the orphanage staff can utilize in the implementation of training provided.  The two Music Therapists are excited to work with the children and provide training and spending a great deal of time at the orphanage during their stay.  The desire is to show the children that they are valued, loved by God, and with support, training, and finding a forever family they will thrive.

It is estimated that there are at least 50,000 children living in orphanages in China.  Many of these children have minor, correctable special needs.  Due to their special needs, they are left alone.  All God's Children International's focus is to provide care and life saving surgeries and a safe place to children with special needs.  An important part of improving the lives of children with special needs is to provide effective training to the care providers and methods to implement to assist the children to develop to their potential.  All God's Children partners with therapists to provide this training on their trips.  In addition, All God's Children International has implemented a program to supply appropriate nutrition to government orphanages that cannot afford proper formula for its children and also assists needy families who are attempting to raise their children by making home improvements and providing needed food and household items.  BRIGHT is priveledged to partner with AGCI for the second time and be a part of life changing efforts.

The total cost of the trip including fundrasising expenses, travel, accomodations, and training is $8,900.00  To date BRIGHT has raised $3,800 through donations and scholarships obtained.  We are grateful for the donations that have been received and are trusting that the necessary funds are raised and that the trip will be a great success.  How can you help?

• Prayerfully support the team members and the ministry as they prepare to travel.
• Attend the fundraiser on May 19, 2012 from 11-1.
• Donate silent auction items for the fundraiser.
• Provide a monetary donation via paypal or mail.

We appreciate your support in any way that you can.  We will be sure to share our progress and the experiences during the trip and beyond.  We are searching for the next area to serve in 2013, so if you know of any orphanages or organizations that could benefit from what BRIGHT has to offer, please feel free to contact us at any time at bessie@brightchildreninternational.org.  Thank you.