So far this summer has been extremely exciting and jam-packed with some amazing opportunities for us!  We are so thankful for the opportunity to help children in the area be able to go to summer camp.  This summer, we were able to send 10 kids to camp through our Camps for Kids program.  The two local camps that participated were Pathfinders Camp and Appalachian Christian Camp. 

We would love to be able to fund even more kids’ summer camp experiences next year!  If you or your company is interested in being a part of helping a child have a life changing experience at summer camp, click here.

There is never a dull moment here at Bracken Paving.  With our paving jobs consisting of such a wide array of diverse locations, we get the chance to pave some interesting places.  Last week, we had the opportunity to pave the infield at Bristol Motor Speedway! 

As we were standing in the bottom of the track, it was easy to feel our adrenaline racing in the surrounding atmosphere.  You really get a sense of what the drivers must be thinking when they roll out onto the starting line.  What a rush it must be to hear "Gentlemen, start your engines!" 

Next time you see a race at Bristol, just imagine some of our trucks speeding around the track at almost 200mph!  With those high banks, that would be a sight to see…we'd be lucky to even stay upright!  Check out some of the new photos in the gallery to see what it was like! 

It’s hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner!  For years, summer camps have been a way for children to embark in adventure, learn life skills, and develop their independence.   The warm sunny days and smell of cookouts in the air are pleasant reminders that it’s time to get Camps for Kids underway again. 

 Even though every child deserves to enjoy the fun of summer camp, not every family can afford the cost.  Through Camps for Kids, we are able to give local children the opportunity to attend summer camp that would otherwise not be able to go.

The process for Camps for Kids is quite simple.  All you have to do is let us place a sign on your property promoting the Camps for Kids program for six months.   Once the sign has been placed, we fund a child’s trip to summer camp on your behalf. 

Currently, the local camps in conjunction with Camps for Kids are Pathfinders Camp and Doe River Gorge.   The More than a Driveway team plans to expand its reach to partner with more local camps.  For more information on Camps for Kids, click here. 

We are pleased to announce a new addition to Bracken Paving’s endeavors.  Chateau Seláh is “the house on the hill” that is near completion.  The elegantly vintage house will be used for events such as weddings, client brunches, and corporate functions.  Every effort has been made to provide an experience that is completely customized to our clients' specifications...and to exceed our clients' expectations.  Your event at Chateau Seláh will be like no other! 

We are excited about what opportunities the Chateau Seláh has in store.  For more information and photos visit chateauselah.com!

At Bracken Paving, you are so much more than just a driveway to us.  Most companies see you as representing dollar signs and treat you like you’re just like any other “job”.  But we want to take it further than that and see you as unique individuals. 

More than a Driveway began as a mere attempt to reach out to those around us in need with the resources we have been blessed with.  Since starting the foundation, we’ve discovered how contagious helping others can be and our outreach now spans several non-profit organizations that impact people both locally and globally. 

The local programs consist of Camps for Kids, Courts for Kids, 12 Days of Christmas and Mission: Outdoor Overhaul.  On the international level, we have Hope 221 and support Equip, and Land of a Thousand Hills.  We realize that trying to “fix” the problems of the world can become overwhelming very quickly.  But with More than a Driveway it is very easy to get involved and make a difference.

This summer is jam-packed with opportunities to make a difference.  Currently, we are in the process of getting Camps for Kids in motion for summer 2010.  For more information on Camps for Kids, click here.  

We also have another Mission: Outdoor Overhaul underway and are very excited about getting the opportunity to touch another family’s life.  For more information on Mission: Outdoor Overhaul, click here.

Our desire is to get people and businesses in the community to join in the efforts to positively impact the world around us.  Together, we can make a difference in many lives.  So what are you waiting for, be a difference-maker!

You may have noticed that here at Bracken Paving, we don't like to sit still for very long.  We're on a constant quest to keep ourselves current and provide our customers with the best possible experience.  Whether that is in our paving techniques, how we mix our asphalt or most recently, our look! 

This spring we re-branded Bracken Paving with a new logo, new truck signs, new website...new everything!  We hope our new look is not only bold and eye catching, but also that our efforts to redesign brackenpaving.com will help you stay current with Bracken Paving and what we're doing not only professionally, but also in the community.  Our new blog feature will keep you updated on what's happening with More Than a Driveway, Mission: Outdoor Overhaul, Camps for Kids, 12 Days of Christmas, Hope 2.2.1. and more!  Check back often and feel free to leave us some love in the comments area. 

Inspired by Extreme Makeover: Home edition, Mission: Outdoor Overhaul strives to better living conditions for local families in need.  The response has been incredible with a two-fold outcome.  Not only have we been able to make a difference for very deserving families, businesses within the community continue to catch the contagious desire to get involved.

We are thrilled to announce that the most recent Mission: Outdoor Overhaul went extremely well.  The recipients were Vicie Motz and her three children, Trevor, Hunter, and Angel.  All three of her children are adopted and have special needs.  The driveways that the Motz’s had to use were in bad condition, which created a challenge for the nurses that come every day as well as making it hard to maneuver their wheelchairs in the gravel.

The Motz family was nominated by the nurses that help them on a daily basis and were then chosen by the members of the Mission: Outdoor Overhaul board.  Vicie and her children were prime candidates to receive services provided through Mission: Outdoor Overhaul.  We were able to improve the wheelchair ramp and pave the driveway that connects to their house as well as the road that leads to her late mother’s house.

Tim Simounet, president of Englewood Lawn and Landscapes, gathered a crew together and joined us in our efforts to help the Motz family.  After meeting Vicie and seeing the inside of her home adorned with plants, it was clear she enjoys having plant life around but has no time to invest in the outside of their house.  Thanks to the generous people at Englewood, the Motz house is now decorated with a beautiful landscape.   

For more information on the Motz family and their Mission: Outdoor Overhaul experience, check out the article in The Greenville Sun.