BRC is a great stepping stone into the Fellowship…

You know it’s funny; almost my entire life growing up in Bainbridge, I thought it was the most boring place to live and yet not even a mile away for at least a few of those years was an amazing sanctuary that I could’ve been a part of had I known how much fun and eventful the BRC was.

I originally got sober at rehab in Florida but had to return to Ohio every couple of months for court. While I was here in the early months of my recovery I was very apprehensive about going to meetings. Despite what people might think or say about my personality I’m actually very much an introvert, so venturing far from home, around a lot of strange new people was a big fear for me. I would avoid going to meetings in the beginning but once I realized I truly needed them I did some research and found the BRC. To my surprise it was right down the road! After a few “Ok, I’m really gonna go this time, I can do it no big deal”, I muscled up enough courage to go to a 7am meeting on a weekday. When I went inside it was small and cozy and I enjoyed that. Also knowing it fit less people so I wouldn’t have to be awkward around a lot of strangers for an hour. The meeting was actually fun! Hard to believe I know, but it was, and it also made my whole day more positive. There were some really nice inviting people there who didn’t judge me and laughed at my jokes. Not to mention the inspiration and wisdom in the room. I kept coming back even though I was sometimes uncomfortable and nervous around people.

After permanently returning home to Ohio for Probation, I couldn’t wait to get back to that meeting. And now that I was on court order, I knew I’d have a place to go every week and more time to check out other meetings there. The next room over had games, cable tv and a pool table. If I was ever bored or having cravings I could go there any time of day, rain or shine to find peace.

As someone who is now a secretary for a meeting at the BRC on Monday nights, I can say with complete honesty that the “welcome home” feeling that the BRC and the AA’s in it gave me is a huge reason I love AA. I encourage anyone new to the program, or trying to find a place they can feel safe, cared for, and included in, to go to any one of the wonderful meetings there.

It’s a great stepping stone into the Fellowship of AA. I’ve met most of my friends there, I met the greatest sponsor (my sponsor) in the world there, and created a wonderful life within the BRC.

I just want to say that I do not like change. It’s something that is hard for me to accept, but I immediately knew upon entering the BRC that I was going to love this particular change for myself. My name is Carson B., I’m 26 years old and I’m an Alcoholic, and I’m also a happy sober guy today. Lastly I’d like to thank the BRC for existing, you saved my life and I am forever grateful!

Leo’s Seeds of Love

When you break down human emotions, you have two things:

Love and fear.

They cannot coexist; where one is, the other cannot be.

As we walk through this world, we can be struck sometimes with love, and often with the forms of fear.

Love comes in many forms, such as joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, honesty, selflessness, gentleness and forgiveness.

Fear has many forms, such as anger, bitterness, hatred, loathing, dishonesty, revenge and calamity.

If we are struck undeservedly by a stranger with unrelenting bitterness or anger, how we respond is what matters.

We have a choice, every day, every minute, and that choice is to respond by planting a seed of love or a seed of fear.

May I respond with Seeds of Love.

A member reflects:

“When I attended my first meeting in 1981 I threw a dollar in the collection plate. On the way home I stopped and bought a pack of smokes for a dollar. In 2018 I throw the same dollar in the collection plate, and stop on the way home for a $7.50 pack of smokes. In 1981, I was contributing the equivalent of 20 cigarettes. Now, in 2018, my contribution to the meeting equals less than 4 smokes.”

Currently the expenses of the BRC.. rent, utilities, coffee, paper products, cleaning supplies, etc, add up to about $130 a day.  Contributions from meeting collections yield $37 per day. In other words, the Bainbridge Recovery Club runs a daily deficit of $93.00.

There are a few ways you can help listed below:

Amazon Smile Charity Program: Amazon contributes one half percent of purchases to designated non-profits. The BRC can be your designated recipient.  Simply log into Smile.Amazon.com, and choose Bainbridge Recovery Club, or EIN 80-0225922, as your charity. Without having to do anything else, Amazon will send the BRC a contribution every time you make a purchase through Amazon.  

Adapt the BRC for a day: Commemorate your special day… sobriety date, birthday, birth of a child… by adapting the BRC financially for a day.  A minimum contribution of $25.00 is suggested – or cover the entire day for $130.00.  Your special day will be indicated by a sticker with your initials (or anonymously as “Bill W”) on the large calendar display on the wall at the BRC.  

Become a “Sustaining Member” of the Bainbridge Recovery Club: The BRC has a Sustaining Dues Membership Program. Many BRC guests can not even put a dollar in the plate. Others, thanks to continuing success in sobriety, can contribute greatly if asked. The BRC Board is asking! If you can afford an annual contribution of $100 to the BRC you will become a “Sustaining Member”.  The BRC holds two events annually which raise a significant amount. With only two event, there are many variables which can severely limit the effectiveness of the Club if something goes wrong. A large number of sustaining members will help eliminate the uncertainty.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner with Silent or Chinese Raffle: Held each spring, the annual dinner and auction is a fun way to fellowship, and support the BRC. Please watch the web-site for scheduling information. Tickets ($10.00 each) may be purchased here. Or, you can help by volunteering to work in the kitchen or help set up and tear down.

If you can help support the Bainbridge Recovery Club, click here.