Brighten Up Project was started by Mike Brekke, along with family and friends, in the fall of 2022 to help serve the hygiene needs of people in the greater Nashville area. The inspiration for the organization was to honor Mike’s wife, Katie Brekke, who passed away unexpectedly in November 2021. One of Katie’s acts of service was building and distributing hygiene bags. Katie’s loved ones were inspired by her generosity and wanted to create an organization to continue spreading Katie’s compassion, and Brighten Up people’s days. Thus Bright Up Project was born.

Today, we are a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping to fill niche spaces in the charitable hygiene space. According to the Community Resource Center in Nashville, TN, there are no direct government assistance programs that provide hygiene necessities. Sadly, over 300,000 middle Tennesseans experience hygiene insecurity. Therefore, there is a great need for basic hygiene supplies.