Spring Bash 2013

The Spring BLiR Bash is over, we had it on Friday and as promised..............fun was had. At least, that is what everyone has told me so far. We will get to that more later. The car brought in for the car bash was a Cadillac El Dorado that was in good condition bodywise. I got to take a sledge hammer to the windows then turned the sledgehammer over to everyone else, as well as some spray paint.

We started the day by setting up. Thanks to Connor from New Life Church for all of his help in setting up. The entertainers began showing up and doing sound checks. A thank you to Scott from New Life Church for doing sound and media for the event. The car was delivered. We iced the soda and water we were provided and set the sweet stuff out. We went and picked up the pizzas at 5. They had 80 pizzas ready to go when we got there. It was way smoother than I anticipated for that.

As people began to arrive, we had them begin eating. The first thing we did from there was have a martial arts demonstration. That was pretty cool to watch. Seeing some of the board breaks made my body hurt, I know that much. Then came the car bash, which was a huge hit. After the car bash came more games, which was fun. Here is a list of the games we played: Cheeto Head, The Racing Egg Head, Drunk Goggle Course Race, Minute to Win It Kleenex Pull and the Minute to Win It Kleenex/Ping Pong contests. All of the games went well, and there was a lot of group participation.

Then we went inside for the music and testimonies. It was an amazing night. I cannot believe the talent that we had volunteer to play for free. There was Kelsey Snapp with her original songs, which are amazing. Kayleigh Amstutz was uber talented. I heard an adult say she sounded like Norah Jones. Then The Legacy rocked the stage. It was a great night to hear wildly talented people playing awesome music!

Ellie Hagen was the first speaker, between Kelsey and Kayleigh. She is such an inspiration. She has already impacted so many people and is only 12. Darin Mendez spoke between Kayleigh and The Legacy, sharing his story of addiction and abuse to where he is now, living a life of recovery after serving 10 1/2 years in prison. I was the last speaker, coming out after The Legacy. It was weird for me to speak without sharing my testimony. I was there to talk about the evening and to point people in general and youth in particular to a life that is worth living. We talked about how to live a life filled with hope and the ability to work through stressors positively.

We were hoping for 200 plus people, and we did not have that. We did break 100, which wasn't bad for only our second event and the first one we have had in Springfield. I talked to several organizations that didn't make it and I was saddened by that. I also spoke to about 20 youth pastors and only of them showed up. Not sure what that is all about, either. Maybe it was bad timing due to Spring Break or  maybe they already had something scheduled. Not sure, but I do know they missed out.

There was games, music, food, positive messages, prizes and just good old fashioned fellowship. I have heard a lot of good things about the event from everybody so far. I am hoping to get some more feedback for the next one, so that we can see if everything was a hit, if we need to take something out or add something, or if we should use more or less of some of the things we had. The trailer video of the night will be put together in April and as soon as it is completed I will have it posted!! If you have any videos or pictures that you took please share them!

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared their evening with us. Remember, please give us feedback whether it is positive or negative. I want this to reach the most people it can and have the biggest impact it can. We are hoping to have one either the end of summer or beginning of Fall this year. IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT, PLEASE CONTACT ME. WE WILL NEED DONATIONS/CASH FOR PRIZES, FOOD, DRINKS, GAME SUPPLIES, PRINTING OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, LOCATION (would like to use a neutral location like Remington's), T-SHIRTS, HATS, BANDS and SPEAKERS as well as VOLUNTEERS!!



Thanks again to:
Kelsey Snapp
Kayleigh Amstutz
The Legacy
Ellie Hagen
Darin Mendez
Henry's in Nixa
Incredible Pizza Company
Martial Arts, USA
Coca-Cola of the Ozarks
Rural Compassion
Alternative Opportunities, Inc.
Mardel's
Ryan Garrett
Taco Bell
New Life Church
Michael Dube
Susan Highley
OTC Printing

BLiR Spring Bash in T-Minus 56 Hours

BLiR Spring Bash is this Friday, the 15th starting at 6 and ending at 10. It will be a very fun, free night. Only cost is if you want to buy an event T-Shirt for $10 to help  us offset the cost of the event. Here is the link for the event page on Facebook. Letting us know you are coming registers you to win a free T-Shirt http://www.facebook.com/pages/Better-Life-In-Recovery/171246616294150?ref=hl#!/events/477488612314182/

So, I am getting ready to put together the final message I will be sharing at the end of the event. I am pretty excited about everything that we have gotten for the event. My hope is that we have the  people there to take advantage of all we have to offer. Here is a list of what we have to offer. We are still awaiting two acts that I will be calling soon to see if they are going to come. In fact, I think I will call them now! Be right back..............

So, I texted one and called the other. We shall see what happens. Personally, I don't think that we need  much more. Here is what we have going on so far. We have multiple games planned that we are going to play. Some of them will be for fun and some for free stuff. Really, most winners will get stuff. We have lots of stuff to give away: tacos, t-shirts, student Bibles, devotionals, study Bibles, CD's, bumpercar tickets at Incredible Pizza and a Nintendo Wii-U! I have not even gotten to play with the new Nintendo and I am giving 2 of them away on Friday.

Now on to the really fun stuff. We have Jeff Cvitak, who is a 6th Degree Black Belt doing a demonstration. I imagine he will make breaking things look really easy and I will try it and break my hand. We will have the DWI googles, so that people can get an idea of why they should never drink and drive! Then there is music by Kelsey Snapp, Kayleigh Amstutz and the Legacy. Amazing teenagers with tons of talent and you get to hear them free!!! Then we have the speakers: Ellie Hagen, Darin Mendez and David Stoecker. Should be an amazing night!

So, what can you do besides hear FREE music, eat FREE food, play FREE games, win FREE prizes and hear a positive message? Help us spread the word. Tell your parents, your kids, your friends, your youth group,  your pastor, your youth pastor, your best friend, your worst enemy.......you get the point. Invite everybody you know. We don't want to have fun by ourselves, we want to share the fun and get a message of hope and confidence to all who attend.

What better way to have fun and spread the power of recovery and Christ than through this event. Hearing these stories will make your faith stronger or maybe move you towards finding Christ. If not, than you will hear the 5 Pillars that everyone, from Christian to Atheist, can use to improve their lives and step away from depression, anxiety, anger and other emotions that lead us to picking up negative habits.

Here is our gratitude list:
Incredible Pizza Company: pizza and some free ride tickets 
Coca-Cola of the Ozarks: soda and energy drinks 
Rural Compassion: bottled water and Little Debbies The Nintendo Wii-U's have been provided by
Alternative Opportunities, Inc.: Nintendo Wii-U
New Life Church: location, clean-up and a Nintendo Wii-U
Henry's Towing in Nixa: Car for the Car Bash
Josh and Sabrina Hernandez: Donation for T-Shirt give away
Mardels: Bible's, Student Books and CDs to Give Away
Ryan Garrett: Study Bibles and Devotionals for give aways
Taco Bell: Free Taco coupons
OTC Print Shop: Best prices in town
Kelsey Snapp: Musical Talent
Kayleigh Amstutz:  Musical Talent
The Legacy: Musical Talent
Ellie Hagen: Speaker
Darin Mendez: Speaker
Jeff Cvitak: Ninja
Jessie Schlemper: MC for the Event
Michael Dube: Video Camera Wizard
Susan Highley: Guidance

BLiR Spring Bash 2013 update

I am really looking forward to the BLiR (Better Life in Recovery) Spring Bash 2013. It is being held Friday, March 15th from 6-10 at New Life Church. There will be a lot of fun had, in the form of live music played by all teen-age acts. There will be games, a car bash, pizza, prizes, live music, testimonies and a positive message. Best of all, IT IS ALL FREE!!!!

This is were we are at so far. We have 3 musical acts that will be entertaining us and are waiting to hear back from a 4th. So far we have The Legacy, Kelsey Snapp and Kayleigh Amstutz (winner of Springfield's Got Talent and First Night's Last Song Contest). We have several speakers, including Ellie Hagan (winner of American Red Cross Everyday Heroes 2011). Jeff Cvitak, a 6th degree black belt and owner of Martial Arts, USA will be doing a demonstration.

We are having a car bash, with a car generously donated from Henry's! We have pizza and drinks for all who come. Various games will be played, winners having the opportunity to win CD's, T-Shirts, hats and student Bibles. At the end of the night one lucky winner will get a Nintendo Wii-U when we do the drawing. Everyone who attends will be entered in the drawing. We are actually giving away 2 Nintendo Wii-U's, one in the drawing and another to the youth group or organization that brings the most people!!

There will be a few more announcements to come over the next month. Invite your friends, family, church, organization. Invite your enemies. They may need to hear what is talked about too! And did I mention not only can you walk away with a Nintendo Wii-U, but it is all free (unless you want to buy an event t-shirt or hat).

We are still looking for several sponsors. We need a $500 sponsor and several $250 sponsors. You can contact me at www.david.stoecker@gmail.com or www.david@betterlifeinrecovery.com We can put your logo on the flier or you can have a banner at the event. If you sponsor the T-shirts ($ your logo can be on them. Let me know, as the dates we have to order the fliers and t-shirts by is fast approaching.

Here is the event page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/477488612314182/ Repost this and share with as many people as you can. It is going to be a great night. Please let me know if you are coming and how many are coming with you. We want to make sure we have enough for everybody that attends!