Published on March 6, 2026
The 10th annual Alive & The Bluebird in the Boro brought the Rutherford County community together on March 5 at Copper Ridge Event Venue for an evening of live music, connection, and support for Alive’s Murfreesboro residence and programs.
The Brummies headlined the milestone event, delivering the crowd plenty of laughter as they shared the heartwarming stories behind their most recent album, Drift Theory. Guests enjoyed the signature songwriter experience that has defined the event since its 2014 debut.
The evening’s mission moment was offered by event co-chair Vickie McGuire and her husband Jonathan, whose nephew Braxton Harrell passed away from cancer in 2023 while in Alive’s care. Braxton was only 18, but his remarkable care at Alive inspired their entire family to volunteer in support of those facing the end of life and grieving those they’ve lost.
The event also marked the launch of the George B. Huddleston Jr. Pediatric and Youth Programs Endowment Fund, established by Tracey Huddleston of Murfreesboro, along with family and close friends, to honor her late husband’s memory and ensure Alive can continue serving children and families for generations to come. Guests were invited to make a gift to the endowment during the event — contributions that will support pediatric and youth programs at Alive and become a permanent part of George’s legacy in Rutherford County.
A Decade of Compassion
Over the past decade, Alive & The Bluebird in the Boro has grown year over year, raising funds to support end-of-life care in Rutherford County. Every dollar raised stays in Murfreesboro, funding patient care, grief support, and community programs at The Residence at Alive Murfreesboro. Since opening in 2017, the 16-bed facility has served nearly 4,200 patients and their loved ones in life’s final moments. This year’s event is on track to surpass all previous years in funds raised.
Bringing an inpatient unit to residents of Rutherford County was the vision of Lynn Lien, after her father passed away at Alive’s Nashville campus.
“Having Alive’s residence here in Rutherford County is a remarkable gift to our community as they face the end of life, enabling them to stay close to home and even closer to their loved ones” said Lynn Lien, “I’m unbelievably proud of how our community has supported this organization through Bluebird in the Boro throughout the last 10 years.”
The evening was made possible by event co-chairs Vickie McGuire and Betty Robinson, along with the dedication of the Murfreesboro Advisory Committee: Lynn Lien, Tracey Huddleston, Sharon Ferguson-Kolli, Suzanne Martin, Tina Patel, and Jennifer Levi.
Meanwhile, spring has arrived at the Murfreesboro residence in another way: staff are officially on “duck watch” for the eighth consecutive year. Each year, a mother duck adoringly named Florence, nests outside the Murfreesboro inpatient facility and hatches her eggs. Caring for the ducklings has become a beloved tradition among patients, families, and staff alike. Follow Alive on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with their journey.
About Alive
Alive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. Through hospice care, palliative care, and grief support services, Alive serves patients in their homes, nursing facilities, and at its inpatient facilities, with service to 12 Middle Tennessee counties. This includes in-home and inpatient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education about the end of life, financial assistance, a robust volunteer program, and clinician training. For 50 years, Alive has remained true to its founding vision: offering dignified care that enables patients with life-limiting illnesses to live fully until their final breath. Alive sustains its mission through the generous support of community donors and volunteers.
CONTACT: Abby Lemons Stevens | (615) 351-0084
