Events and Donations
Donation to Belle Meade Children's Center for the Education founder privileged children.
Belinda Butler Fund
About Belinda Butler
Belinda Butler, her husband, Ron, and her two children, Leslie and Brian, joined Belle Meade United Methodist Church on March 16, 1969. Children'schild'sBMUMC'sChildren'sChildren'sMother'sChildren's In the early 1980s, Belinda helped start a Mother's Day out program at Belle Meade UMC. Then, in April 1991, Belinda helped transition this ministry into a full-care, full-time program known today as the Belle Meade Children's Center.
Belinda had a heart for teaching young children. She led fiercely to creating a center of excellence for the church and community. She encouraged all teachers to be qualified to teach by obtaining a Child Development Associate Degree. She was instrumental in leading the Center to become a three-star program, making it one of the best in Nashville.
Belinda is also remembered for her commitment to including all children in the proper classroom. She wanted each child to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Her determination was undoubtedly inspired by her son, Brian. She knew how hard it was to trust people to care for your child when you had to work.
Now, her legacy for inclusion continues as the Belinda Butler Childcare Assistance Fund aims to provide need-based tuition assistance to qualifying families at Belle Meade Children's Center so that all families may thrive.
Recognizing the importance of stable, high-quality child care for a family with working caregiver(s) or a student-parent working toward a diploma, as well as the importance of early childhood education in the development of a young child, we see an opportunity to expand the missional impact of BMCC in our local community. To support BMUMC's continued commitment to partnering with families, the Belinda Butler Childcare Assistance Fund (informally the Belinda Butler Fund) was created to provide high-quality childcare at BMCC at reduced or no cost to qualified families.
The primary qualification for assistance from the Belinda Butler Fund will be T.N. state child care assistance. The state of Tennessee offers financial aid through multiple certificate programs, including the Smart Steps Child Care Assistance Program and the Teen Parent Childcare Program. BMCC participates in the T.N. Child Care Certificate program and is authorized to accept these funds. Belinda Butler Fund recipients must apply for and maintain their certification status. The Belinda Butler Fund will supplement child care financial assistance available from the State of Tennessee to eliminate tuition costs for a child attending BMCC effectively.
Although families in need will be considered in various circumstances, BMUMC will intentionally cultivate partnerships with the Hillwood school community. In 2015, BMUMC prioritized increased and sustained partnerships with the community served by H.G. Hill Middle School and Hillwood High School, two schools that neighbor BMUMC on Davidson Road. The Hillwood cluster schools serve a wonderfully diverse population, with a majority of students coming from low-income families; approximately 57% of Hillwood High students and 72% of H.G. Hill Middle students qualify for free or reduced lunches (source: GreatSchools.org November 26, 2021). Since then, BMUMC has supported the Hillwood school cluster with school supplies, laundry supplies, teacher support, holiday gifts, and a summer food pantry and is consistently seeking additional ways to serve this community. Currently, we see a need to increase support for student-parents within the Hillwood school cluster, of which there are approximately 5-8 per year. Pilot research has shown that providing childcare and other support services to parenting high school students can increase graduation rates from 30% to 73% (source: Mitzi Inouye, Brenda G. LeTendre, The California School Age Families Education (Cal-SAFE) Program: Report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislature, California Department of Education (May 2010)). As funds are available, the Belinda Butler Fund will be actively extended to student-parents at Hillwood High School to enable them to continue their schooling and achieve their educational goals.
You can donate to this fund and support a child's education by sending a check to Belle Meade Children's Center and making the notes as Belinda Butler Fund or Venmo Here.
Belinda Butler Fund
About Belinda Butler
Belinda Butler, her husband, Ron, and her two children, Leslie and Brian, joined Belle Meade United Methodist Church on March 16, 1969. Children'schild'sBMUMC'sChildren'sChildren'sMother'sChildren's In the early 1980s, Belinda helped start a Mother's Day out program at Belle Meade UMC. Then, in April 1991, Belinda helped transition this ministry into a full-care, full-time program known today as the Belle Meade Children's Center.
Belinda had a heart for teaching young children. She led fiercely to creating a center of excellence for the church and community. She encouraged all teachers to be qualified to teach by obtaining a Child Development Associate Degree. She was instrumental in leading the Center to become a three-star program, making it one of the best in Nashville.
Belinda is also remembered for her commitment to including all children in the proper classroom. She wanted each child to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Her determination was undoubtedly inspired by her son, Brian. She knew how hard it was to trust people to care for your child when you had to work.
Now, her legacy for inclusion continues as the Belinda Butler Childcare Assistance Fund aims to provide need-based tuition assistance to qualifying families at Belle Meade Children's Center so that all families may thrive.
Recognizing the importance of stable, high-quality child care for a family with working caregiver(s) or a student-parent working toward a diploma, as well as the importance of early childhood education in the development of a young child, we see an opportunity to expand the missional impact of BMCC in our local community. To support BMUMC's continued commitment to partnering with families, the Belinda Butler Childcare Assistance Fund (informally the Belinda Butler Fund) was created to provide high-quality childcare at BMCC at reduced or no cost to qualified families.
The primary qualification for assistance from the Belinda Butler Fund will be T.N. state child care assistance. The state of Tennessee offers financial aid through multiple certificate programs, including the Smart Steps Child Care Assistance Program and the Teen Parent Childcare Program. BMCC participates in the T.N. Child Care Certificate program and is authorized to accept these funds. Belinda Butler Fund recipients must apply for and maintain their certification status. The Belinda Butler Fund will supplement child care financial assistance available from the State of Tennessee to eliminate tuition costs for a child attending BMCC effectively.
Although families in need will be considered in various circumstances, BMUMC will intentionally cultivate partnerships with the Hillwood school community. In 2015, BMUMC prioritized increased and sustained partnerships with the community served by H.G. Hill Middle School and Hillwood High School, two schools that neighbor BMUMC on Davidson Road. The Hillwood cluster schools serve a wonderfully diverse population, with a majority of students coming from low-income families; approximately 57% of Hillwood High students and 72% of H.G. Hill Middle students qualify for free or reduced lunches (source: GreatSchools.org November 26, 2021). Since then, BMUMC has supported the Hillwood school cluster with school supplies, laundry supplies, teacher support, holiday gifts, and a summer food pantry and is consistently seeking additional ways to serve this community. Currently, we see a need to increase support for student-parents within the Hillwood school cluster, of which there are approximately 5-8 per year. Pilot research has shown that providing childcare and other support services to parenting high school students can increase graduation rates from 30% to 73% (source: Mitzi Inouye, Brenda G. LeTendre, The California School Age Families Education (Cal-SAFE) Program: Report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislature, California Department of Education (May 2010)). As funds are available, the Belinda Butler Fund will be actively extended to student-parents at Hillwood High School to enable them to continue their schooling and achieve their educational goals.
You can donate to this fund and support a child's education by sending a check to Belle Meade Children's Center and making the notes as Belinda Butler Fund or Venmo Here.
Fundraising Opportunities
FUNRUN:
Each year around April, we host our biggest fundraiser of the year. This begins with the children collecting donations for our big FUN RUN! In the weeks leading to the FUN RUN, the children learn about healthy living, including exercise. They practice daily for the big race while retaining the positive benefits of running on their bodies. On the day of the "race," all the families come together to cheer each child on as they "race"; even parents get in on the racing fun with the non-walkers in their hands as they sprint around the course. Even alums get in on the racing fun; past students take turns racing against each other, and this race is always the best. We have alumni in their 20s down to the newest group of graduates!Order FUNRUN T-Shirts here
Spring Fling:
The Spring Fling is part of the closing of the FUNRUN fundraiser. This is an adult-only social gathering. The parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and staff come together for a fantastic time. The event consists of a meal, music, and an auction. All the money raised goes to a pre-approved project that enhances the children's experience at Belle Meade Children's Center. Order Spring Fling tickets here. Memory Bricks:
Memory bricks are sold throughout the year. They are engraved with children's or families' names. These bricks are then added to a pathway of bricks. The children love to see their and older siblings' names, and the teachers also enjoy remembering past names and their time with that child or family at BMCC!
Wreaths:
Around November each year, the parent council sells wreaths to fund their budget. The wreaths are beautiful and come in just in time for the holidays.
FUNRUN:
Each year around April, we host our biggest fundraiser of the year. This begins with the children collecting donations for our big FUN RUN! In the weeks leading to the FUN RUN, the children learn about healthy living, including exercise. They practice daily for the big race while retaining the positive benefits of running on their bodies. On the day of the "race," all the families come together to cheer each child on as they "race"; even parents get in on the racing fun with the non-walkers in their hands as they sprint around the course. Even alums get in on the racing fun; past students take turns racing against each other, and this race is always the best. We have alumni in their 20s down to the newest group of graduates!Order FUNRUN T-Shirts here
Spring Fling:
The Spring Fling is part of the closing of the FUNRUN fundraiser. This is an adult-only social gathering. The parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and staff come together for a fantastic time. The event consists of a meal, music, and an auction. All the money raised goes to a pre-approved project that enhances the children's experience at Belle Meade Children's Center. Order Spring Fling tickets here. Memory Bricks:
Memory bricks are sold throughout the year. They are engraved with children's or families' names. These bricks are then added to a pathway of bricks. The children love to see their and older siblings' names, and the teachers also enjoy remembering past names and their time with that child or family at BMCC!
Wreaths:
Around November each year, the parent council sells wreaths to fund their budget. The wreaths are beautiful and come in just in time for the holidays.