From the Director's Desk

This past quarter at Safe Harbor Bucksnort has been filled with growth, service, and continued commitment to the men in our care.

On June 7th, we hosted our Family Day, with over 120 family members and friends in attendance. The event featured gifts for the clients and their families, a bouncy house, food, a guest speaker, and a water slide. The day provided an opportunity for families to reconnect, celebrate progress, and encourage their loved ones.

We have taken proactive steps to address facility needs, including the installation of a French drain around the back of the property to prevent flooding and protect the integrity of the facility.

Our Reliable Program ran by Larry Hughes has reached new heights this quarter. We have expanded to include outside hires and have begun collaborating with other sober living companies to broaden opportunities for our clients. This has allowed us to strengthen the support system we offer while providing greater employment opportunities for our men.

The staff at Safe Harbor Bucksnort remains deeply committed to improving the lives of the men we serve. Our current leadership team includes:

• Julius Turnipseed – Admissions Coordinator
• Shane Baldridge – Transportation Coordinator
• Rick Snodgrass & Rodney Whidby– Program Coordinators

Sadly, we also experienced the loss of our beloved chaplain, George VanZandbergen, who passed away after a battle with cancer. His ministry and compassion will be deeply missed.

We continue to see an increase in community engagement. An outside church group regularly visits, cooking hamburgers for the clients and offering ongoing support through Bible studies and classes. Their involvement has strengthened the spiritual foundation of our program and provided additional mentorship and fellowship opportunities for our men.

Safe Harbor Bucksnort remains focused on its mission to serve, heal, and restore men through faith-based recovery and practical life programs. We are grateful for the continued support of our staff, volunteers, and community partners as we move forward into the next quarter.

~ Chris Somerville, Director

www.safeharborbucksnort.org

Staff of the Quarter

It is with great pride and appreciation that we recognize Mr. Christopher Hillard as our Staff of the Quarter.

Mr. Hillard’s journey with Safe Harbor has been nothing short of inspiring. He entered our program with dedication and determination, beginning his service as a driver. Through hard work, commitment, and a heart for service, he advanced to the role of Transportation Coordinator, where he ensured the timely and safe movement of our clients and supported the operations of our facility with excellence.

Mr. Hillard’s growth did not stop there. He has since stepped into the role of Chaplain, a position in which he has truly thrived. His leadership, compassion, and spiritual guidance have brought strength and encouragement to the men in our program. He consistently brings the Spirit of the Lord into his work, helping others find hope, purpose, and a renewed sense of direction.



Mr. Hillard exemplifies what Safe Harbor is all about—transformation, leadership, and service. We are grateful for his presence, his faithfulness, and the impact he continues to have on the lives of those around him.

Congratulations, Mr. Hillard. Your journey is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and calling.

Learn a little more about Mr. Hilliard...

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

A: “It gives me purpose. It’s the first time I’ve ever had purpose in my life.”

Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: "I care about people. I have a big heart. I didn’t realize it until I started working at Safe Harbor. God has really changed the way that I am able to speak to people since I’ve been here.”

Q: FAVORITE PASSAGE IN THE BIBLE?

A: "John 14:13 - 14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

2025 Safe Harbor Golf Tournament

What a Day! Safe Harbor 2025 Golf Tournament Recap

We had an incredible day at Forest Hill Golf Course for our Safe Harbor 2025 Golf Tournament — and we couldn’t have asked for better weather or a better time with an amazing group of people!

First and foremost, thank you to all of our amazing sponsors. Your generous support is what allows us to continue pursuing the vision of Safe Harbor: helping every man and woman Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference.

Our 2025 Sponsors:

Runyon Industries • Nationwide Insurance • Bo Midgett • Kyle & Jamie Bennett • Don Baskin Truck Sales LLC • Britt Dunn - Farm Bureau Insurance • TN Express Auto Sales • Mid TN Lumber • Elk Creek Missionary Baptist Church • Danville Country Store • Erin Rotary Club

Congratulations to our winners!

1st Place Team: Keith Lutts, Dustin West, Scottie Elliott, Nathan Parrish

2nd Place Team: Linda Bacon, Kristen Bacon, Timothy Bacon, Trey Rickman

Closest to the Pin (White Tees): Mike Anderson

Longest Drive: Nathan Smith

Putting Contest: Jeffrey Lyell

A huge shoutout to our incredible staff who helped make the day run smoothly. Your dedication never goes unnoticed!

We are so grateful for the continued support — not just from our local community, but from people and organizations across the country. Your partnership is helping change lives!



We can’t wait to see you again next year for the 2026 Golf Tournament — stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Partner of the Quarter - ALP Lighting

We are proud to recognize ALP Lighting as our Partner of the Quarter! Over the years, ALP has provided valuable employment opportunities for many of our clients here at Safe Harbor of Bucksnort, and their commitment to our mission continues to shine.

A special thank you goes to Susan Park, Human Resources Manager at ALP, whose open-door policy and genuine care have made a lasting impact. Susan recently attended our Family Day event just to check in with our guys—an incredible gesture of her personal commitment and support.

In a meaningful first, ALP also invited Safe Harbor to join a Habitat for Humanity build, reflecting their deep dedication to community service.

We also want to recognize Courtenay Gibson, who, along with Susan, continues to nurture this outstanding partnership. Their efforts have created a connection that is truly one of a kind.

Congratulations to Susan, Courtenay, and the entire ALP team—we look forward to the future we’ll build together!