SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY | Grindstaff Kia
A Birthday Soiree To Help Others Steven, Bentley, Ashley, Baron and Steve Grindstaff
Food by The Catering Company
Dr. Gregory and Christine
Decor by Celebrate Rentals
Joe Ward and Pamela Booth
Steve and Ashley Grindstaff with JR Campbell and teachers from LMS
Shamail McKenzie and Krisna Goodwin
Principal JR Campbell
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Connie Slaughter
“Avatars” Bill and Sharon Schaffer
Mickey Baker, Angela Striligas, Mike and Kim Adler
Lightning! Vegas Show Band
October 5, 2012 was a small milestone for Bentley and Baron Grindstaff; the twins of Steve and Ashley Grindstaff turned one. Instead of hosting a birthday party for just for twins, Ashley decided this was the perfect opportunity to help children who are not as fortunate. After all, “giving” is in the Grindstaff’s nature. In thinking of a theme, Ashley chose to coordinate a touch of the “Tiffany” theme from her baby shower with a mix of traditional “Halloween” black. A “Halloween Soiree” it would be. All guests would have to come in their Halloween best and instead of gifts to the twins, a donation to the Little Milligan School would greatly be greatly appreciated. Getting back to who this party would benefit, one would have to go all the way to Butler, Tennessee to the Little Milligan School.Tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains across from Watauga Lake, sits a school on a hill top. A school that many don’t even know is there. A few years ago, Ashley toured the Carter County Schools and fell in love with the children of Little Milligan School. “I went to every school in Carter County, Little Milligan School is probably the poorest school, but the only school who had so much love from the teachers and love for each other.” The school principal, Mr. JR Campbell is on a first name basis with everyone including the children. “The children absolutely love him, he is like a father figure, mentor, and friend to these kids. The children are smart, courteous and have been taught values. You don’t see this taught anymore in school.” The school is older, which means they don’t have state-of-the-art learning tools, either. But what this school has over anywhere else, is love. The Grindstaffs have taken this to heart. They feel every child should have the same opportunities as other schools and kids do. “Americans are always fighting for social causes all over the world, but what they need to fight for, is children in our country that we need to empower, educate and build up their self esteems, so they can be our future leaders.” The event was a huge success, not only by entertaining the guests with Lightning Vegas Show band, food by The Catering Company, cake by the Cake Gallery, Drinks by On The Rocks, Rentals by Celebrate and Photography by Goodwin Photography. Everyone had a wonderful and eventful night, even seeing the children of LMS on display as guests entered the party. Carter County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Ward and Little Milligan School principal JR. Campbell, along with some of the teachers, were in for a surprise. Little information was told to the school as to what the event was for, so a presentation to the guests that all money raised that evening would be used to buy new computers and learning tools for each classroom at the school. The teachers and Mr.Campbell could not believe what they were hearing at that moment. A successful evening it was. Over $7,500 was raised by close and generous friends of the Grindstaffs. “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”- Albert Pike Photography by: Jim Goodwin | Story Submitted