Brandie and Allen Hale are a blended family with 4 children.  Their two daughters, Jenna and Millie, attend Bright Days.  Brandie started out in the prenatal program and in August both girls started in order to receive center-based services.  Jenna is a very bright, talkative young lady who had already been in child care so Brandie and Allen were sure she would fit right in at Bright Days.  Brandie was concerned about Millie entering the program for several reasons:  she was very young and she was born with a rare birthmark on her face and neck.  She was concerned Millie would be treated differently or shunned due to the birthmark.

Brandie brought Millie in to meet her new teachers and was thrilled when they made Millie feel very at ease about the birthmark.  All the staff saw Millie as Millie...not as a child with a rare birthmark.  Millie had a skin graph operation early in the school year and during this time the staff at Bright Days was very supportive.  Ms. Wendi, the Family Advocate, helped secure someone to watch Jenna while Millie and her parents were at Shands and kept contact with the parents throughout the surgery and after Millie returned to make sure Millie's needs were being met.  Jenna's teachers helped comfort her while her parents and sister were away.  Mrs. Edna and Mrs. Amanda called to check on Millie and they helped reassure Jenna that Millie would be alright.  Mrs. Dixie and Mrs. Kat called to check on Millie after the surgery, and after she returned to school, they made Brandie feel at ease about leaving her because they were willing to do all the necessary steps to medicate her face.  They did it all with a smile! 

The whole staff demonstrated their concern for both the Hale children and for the entire family.  We know Brandie is grateful to the staff for helping the family throughout this process and we can tell from seeing Millie and Jenna thrive at Bright Days that this is a story with a very happy ending!

(Bright Days is an Early Head Start Center in Madison, FL, operated by Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend.)

Budd Bell, founder and Board Member Emeritus of Kids Incorporated, died at age 94 on October 16, 2009 in Tallahassee.  Known to fellow Board Members and staff as the "conscience" of Kids Incorporated, she leaves behind a lifetime of accomplishments and a lasting legacy as a champion for children and their families. 

Budd's daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Bell and David Todd, have developed the following offering: 

"As many of you know, two of Mom's favorite things were Kids Incorporated and the color purple.  In honor of her memory, we have created a set of six beautiful notecards.  These cards come six in a package, with envelopes, for $24 (plus tax).  They make wonderful gifts - for yourself and your loved ones.  Every sale benefits Kids Incorporated and keeps Mom's memory alive in our hearts.  The cards will be sold at the Kids Incorporated offices and centers.  The images are photo-collages composed of flowers and waterscapes from the Big Bend area." 

On the back of each card the elements are identified, and each features the following message:

"This card is one of the Spirit of Compassion series

Dedicated to the memory of Bess "Budd" Bell June 16, 1915 - October 16, 2009

May her love of beauty and love of people shine on

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Budd Bell Early Learning Endowment Fund for Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend.' 

The images of the six note cards are below.  Checks should be made payable to Bell and Todd.  For more information contact Judie at Kids Incorporated at 850.414.9800, ext. 104 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Notecards will be on sale at Kidsfest - stop by the Information Booth.