Growing up, Elisha became numb to thechaos that engulfed his life. The abuse

he endured from his mother and her boyfriend,the cockroaches that crawled over him as he sleptat night, and the violence entrenched in hisneighborhood were all too common.

“Where I lived, hearing a gunshot was thesame as hearing a doorbell ring,” the seventeen-year-old says.

Elisha hated his life and the way he was treated.He felt as if he had no family and no one onwhom he could depend. A desire to better his lifeled to a desperate choice – Elisha joined a gang,becoming involved in the violence he had wishedhe could escape.

“I just wanted someone I could call my family,” Elisha confides. “I needed money for food and to help my younger brothers.”

To Elisha, a gang life was his only choice. He thought the gang would be his answer, but instead ofbringing his life out of dark-ness, it was a pathway leadinghim to a more dangerous place.

As things grew darker in his life, his mother was arrestedand he and his brothers wereleft solely under their grand-mother’s provision. But after determining she could not care for the boys, she contacted the department of social services.

His brothers were placed into foster care andElisha came to Mills Home in September 2013. It is at Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH)Thomasville campus that Elisha found the support and belonging he needed.

Elisha says that the biggest change for him are the people around him who help him. Those

people include houseparents Shawn and Saman-tha Snipes and case manager Andy Snovak.

At Mills Home, Elisha’s life improved. A clean,safe cottage and good, healthy food gave himhope. He began to respond to the Gospel and his faith has become an integral part of who he is today.

“I’ve realized here that a relationship with God is so much deeper, and the benefits so muchbetter, than what I thought it could ever be,” Elisha says.

“His faith is a driving force,” Snovak says. “He shares his faith like no one else.”

Elisha finds opportunities to encourage theother residents on campus. His houseparents see him as a leader in his cottage. If he sees one of the residents struggling, he’ll often stop andlend advice.

“One of the kids knew he wasn’t doing a goodjob and was upset with himself,” Elisha recounts.“I told him that God may be sad by the things

we do, but He thinks we’re wonderful. He knowsthat we aren’t perfect.”

He continues, “Ms. Sam (Samantha Snipes)told me that it’s never a waste of time if I’m positively encouraging someone. I know that God honors that.”

The teen carries his faith with him to his part-time job at a local grocery store. Some customershave gotten to know him and will intentionallycome to his cash register.

“One lady shared with me that her daughterwas in a car accident. She began to cry when I told her I would pray for her daughter,” Elishareveals.

Elisha is saving his money. He’s not certainwhat the future holds, but he’s trusting God.

“Before coming here, I had no plans,” he says. “With the chaos in my neighborhood, I was planning on being killed by the time I was18. Now, I’m going to let God take care of my future.”

Charity&ChildrenAnd now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

101 accepted Christ last year – Easter Appeal (page 5) Weekday Education marks 50th year (page 6&7)

4/15_________________ 128/3_________________

Seventeen-year-old Elisha finds opportunities to share his faith both at Mills Home in Thomasville, where he lives, and at his part-time job. The teen works the register at a local grocery store and encourages the customers who come

through his line. Elisha is learning to let go of his past and trust God with his future.

Elisha trustingfuture to God___________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

[ “It’s truly a miracle. It’s truly the Lord.” – R. Grossman }[ “This is where God had me to be.” – Dickey }

Elisha

____________________________________________________________________

2 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; Jim Edminson, editor (wjedminson@bchfamily.org); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org); Marcia Housand, account clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes. It is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC and mailed by Excalibur,Winston-Salem, NC. Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailing offices. For free subscription or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction orchange, use the above address and write to Attn: Circulation Manager, send an email to address@bchfamily.org or call at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online at www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

Sharing Hope...Changing Lives Campaign at www.bchfamily.org/campaign

Last month, I wrote about enjoying life or enduring life. I noted that

we all need to find value in anticipatingsmall events and learn how to make them special. I much prefer the option of LifeEnjoyment.Keeping aneye on the future is oneway of walkingthe more pleas-ant path. As you

go, here is mychecklist of ways that can help

you march ahead: Have a purpose in life.

Staying busy is a sure anti-dote to boredom

and early death. Know that things gener-

ally work out for the best,even though it may be hardto see how, especially when youare dealing with the loss of a spouse,

child, parent, or friend. Maintain a positive

outlook. If you look for thegood in people and circum-

stances, you aremore likely to find it.

Learn something new every day, or week, ormonth. We are never too old

to learn. Put anotherway, you really can teach

an old dog new tricks. Find something

you are passionate about and then do it.

Remember you wereplaced on this earth for a reason. We are only on thisstage of life for a short timeso make the most of it.

Remember the MEDformula for a long life.

Meditation, Exercise, andDiet. Prayer, staying active,

and watching what you eatpromote good health.

Here is one I credit tothe late Jim Valvano, the exu-berant basketball coach atNorth Carolina State University:Find something to laugh about every dayand find something to cry about every

day. God gave you emotions.Use them.

Make a firm decision regarding a possible course

of action. After you havemade that commitment,

take the first step. Always lookahead, never behind.

Do everything withgreat enthusiasm. I wrote ashort prayer to illustrate thepoint: Lord, my times are in Yourhands. Help me be faithful to the duty of the present moment.

My friends, the choice is yours. You can find riches beyond measure and create a life worth living but only if you embrace

the future.

Michael C. Blackwell leads the ministry with vigor and enthusiasm. He has served aspresident of Baptist Children’s Homes since1983 and has a record-setting 31-year tenure.

Vision: sharing hope . . . changing lives

Mission: To provide the highest quality

of Christian services to children, adults

and families in a caring culture of

measurable excellence

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[ MY THOUGHTS }

Ten points to helpyou enjoy life_____________________________________________________________________

By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

From left, BCH’s Bond Kiser, Regina Keener, Nancy McNeill, and Linda Morgan stand by a mountain of boxes containing COA administration

and facility on-site documentation for all of BCH’s locations. COA representatives conducted a reaccreditation review February 22-25.

COA review praises BCH’s “culture of excellence”

Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) recently completed itsseventh Council on Accreditation (COA) review. Reaccred-itation occurs every four years. The three visiting COArepresentatives concluded the four-day reaccreditation peer review with a final exit meeting with key BCH staffmembers.

“Your mission is clear,” the COA Peer Review teamleader told the group. “It’s evident that this agency livesand breathes its mission every day.”

The meeting culminated an on-site review held February22-25. Nearly 500 self-study documents and as many on-site documents were prepared prior to the COA visit.BCH began in 2013 assembling the documents.

The COA representatives cited BCH’s staff training saying it was “incredible.” They agreed the agency was“exemplary.”

“You display a culture of excellence,” the COA teamleader said. “You expect it. You display it in everything youdo. You prove that it is possible.”

It was noted that BCH president/CEO Michael C.Blackwell was key to the agency’s overall expectation of excellence – “Only leadership can bring that forward intheir staff.”

“The people sitting around this table represent the true champions,” Blackwell said. “They are my priority.Keeping them the priority helps them keep their focus on our children and clients.”

COA is an international, independent, nonprofit, humanservice accrediting organization. Final notice of reaccredi-tation is expected within 30 days of the review.

8

Roger and Vicki Grossman have served as missionaries in Quetzaltenango (Xela),

Guatemala for nearly three decades. In manyways, their work to reach the indigenous Quichépeople living in the Central American city hasonly begun.

The couple serves at Good Shepherd Ministries which is comprised of a medical clinic,training center, scholarship program, and now an orphanage which opened just six months ago.

Roger and Vicki worked closely with BaptistChildren’s Homes (BCH) to help begin the new orphanage.

“This isn’t something we were looking for, butit’s undeniable that God’s hand is in it,” Rogersays of the orphanage which is named GoodShepherd Children’s Home. “The partnership we have with Baptist Children’s Homes, NC Baptist Men and Woman’s Missionary Union

NC (WMU NC) is something Godput together.”

The three Baptistentities united to

use their expertiseand resources to establish the orphanage. TheGood Shepherd Children’s Home is an affiliateof BCH who provides the plan of care for the orphans and training for its childcare workers.

“BCH consistently sends down teams to work with the childcare workers,” Vicki says.“We have a great staff who are devoted Chris-tians, but what they lack is training. BCH worksclosely with the orphanage’s childcare workersand director to provide the best standard of care for the children.”

Everyone’s efforts paved the way for the arrivalof the orphanage’s first child last October. Onlydays after the orphanage received its operating license from the Guatemalan government, theGrossmans received a call thatan infant girl named Enma wasbeing admitted into care.

“To see the excitement on the childcare workers’, the director’s and Vicki’s faces wasexciting and scary because it was all becoming real,” Rogerexplains. “Enma’s arrival was the baptism of the GoodShepherd Children’s Home.”

The newborn was abandonedduring Xela’s rainy season at anoutdoor washing station called a pila. A passerbydiscovered her in the middle of the night whenhe heard the baby’s cry.

“Enma could have died from hypothermia or

animals,” Vicki says. “Guatemala has a hugestreet population of children. We don’t know

how many childrenthere might be.There’s a big need.”

Since Enma’s arrival,Good Shepherd hasserved a total of ninechildren with sevenpresently living at the orphanage. A second baby wasfound abandoned in a car. A third, who was born prematurely,

was left in a cardboard box.Three of the children are

siblings. The orphanage is licensedto serve children ages zero to five,but when government officials

learned about thebrother and two sisters,who are older, theyknew the children’shome could help.

“The oldest is 13 years old and he has now accepted theLord,” Vicki says. “Hereads the Bible to histwo little sisters who don’t know how to read.”

Evangelism is the cornerstone ofthe Grossman’s work. The gospel is being sharedwith children at the orphanage as well as Quiché villagers who come to the clinic.

“The clinic has seen more than 3,300 new

patients since it opened in March 2013,” Rogersays. “Everyone that comes through is prayedwith. People know who we are and that werepresent Christ.”

“They look at what we’re doing and see thatwe’re here to help,” Vicki explains. “It gives us a platform to talk about the Lord and to be anambassador of Jesus.”

The Grossmans are also passionate aboutgrowing future missionaries and leaders. GoodShepherd’s training center and scholarship pro-grams focus on the region’s future generation by investing in promising young Quiché leaders.

Roger and Vicki recently retired from the International Missions Board (IMB), but it’s because of their passion for the Quiché people,

and childrenlike Enma, thatthey have cho-sen to continueto serve in thecountry Godcalled them tomany years ago.

“Our calling today is stronger thanit’s ever been,”Roger says.

“It’s amazing to us how God has brought allthese relationships together. It’s truly a miracle.It’s truly the Lord.”

If you would like more information about the Good Shepherd Children’s Home, or make a financial gift, email guatemala@bchfamily.orgor call Keith Henry at 336-474-1215 or BrendaGray at 336-474-1230.

Guatemala missionaries Roger and Vicki Grossman have served for nearly three decades. The couple outreaches to the indigenous Quiché people in Xela through Good Shepherd Ministries and worked with Baptist Children’s Homes to establish a new orphanage. Above, Roger greets villagers as they arrive at the Good Shepherd Clinic. Below left, siblings

living at the orphanage. Middle, one of the orphanage’s babies and, below right, Vicki examines a child.

[ GUATEMALA ORPHANAGE }

Couple’s callingremains strong ___________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

Learn about the orphanage at www.bchfamily.org/guatemala____________________________________________________________________

4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 3

C A R E CARE andsee lives changed

forever.

As our children and grandchildren grow, we pray daily for their safety. We childproof

our homes removing harmful objects. We padsharp corners. We buy soft, comfortable furniturefor them to steady themselves as they toddlearound. We watch attentively as they learn to crawl and walk. We walk behind them to pick them up whenthey fall. Band-Aidsare readily availablefor all their “boo-boos.” When theyhave a cold ortummy ache, we arethere to assure themeverything will beokay. We do every-thing in our power tolet them know they are loved.

Unfortunately, notall children grow up in a loving environment.There is an increasingnumber of children who facethe harsh realities of poverty, abuse and discouragement. Factors such as these impact thechild’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritualgrowth. A child who is ignored stops talking. A child robbed of attention won’t hug or allowhimself/herself to be hugged. A child who never

plays with toys does not learn as quickly. A childbetrayed by someone close finds it difficult totrust. A child denied biblical instruction fails to grow with God.

Children all around us are in crisis and struggling to get past the

trauma and neglect they have experienced. The facts speak

for themselves:One in five children goes hungry in North

Carolina. For children younger than age five thenumber jumps to 24% which is closer to 1 in 4.Imagine being a parent and having to choose be-tween buying food or paying for heat. Seventy-fivepercent of needy households being served by foodbanks find themselves making that very choice –choosing between buying food or providing a warm place for their children. And 81% of NorthCarolina households receiving food assistancedon’t know from where their next meal is coming.(Source: North Carolina Association of FeedingAmerica Foodbanks at www.ncfoodbanks.org)

Child abuse and neglect reports total into themillions each year. Every year, there are more thanthree million reports of child abuse in the UnitedStates. Each report usually involves multiple chil-dren. In North Carolina, 128,005 children werereferred to local departments of social servicesagencies for possible abuse and neglect in 2014.(Source: www.preventchildabusenc.org andwww.childhelp.org)

Hunger, neglect, abuse and crisis are as close as next door. It is not unusual for children whocome to Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) tohoard their food when they first come into care. Itis not unusual for a child to be afraid. I rememberlast year when we were without power for severaldays, one of the most difficult aspects for the chil-dren was the fear of darkness at nightfall.

All children deserve to feel safe and secure.They deserve the opportunity to become all Godwould intend. Often when I ask a child what they

like most about BCH, they respond by saying, “Ifeel safe here” or “I like the food and my housepa-rents really care about me.”

That is what BCH is all about – providing a safeplace wherethose weserve canexperiencehealing.BCH is aplace whereencourage-ment frompeople whoreally carecan be ex-periencedand where

tummies and hearts arefed with love every day.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As apart of this month of special awareness regardingthe struggles children are facing in our nation andin our state, I want to issue a challenge. When yousee a child or family hungry, will you help feedthem? Will you help BCH feed the children andfamilies in our care through the annual FoodRoundup taking place in April?

Will you take the challenge to make a differencein the life of a child? When a child speaks, will youtake the time to listen? When a child hurts, willyou take the time to help that child heal? When a child dreams, will you help the child to believe?When a child laughs, will you smile with them forthe sheer joy that this child is able to experience afeeling of happiness and hope? Will you ask Godto open your eyes to the needs of children hurtingaround you? And if you haven’t already, will youjoin the many who through their financial supportof BCH are making a difference in the lives ofchildren?

Thanks you for the prayerful support that helpspad the corners of a hard world. Thank you forgiving children food to eat, a safe place to heal,and for helping us pick up “our” children whenthey fall. Most of all, thank you for helping usshare God’s love with everyone who walksthrough our doors.

Email me or call me to let me know how you’reliving out this challenge. I would love to hear yourstories of how you touched the life of a child dur-ing the month of April – Child Abuse Prevention

Month.

Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications. Gray directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month –Take the challenge and help a hurting child_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications

Leave a legacy. Vist www.bchfamily.org/plannedgiving____________________________________________________________________

4 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3

B C H C A P I T A L C A M P A I G N

A caring couple is offering to matchthe first $1 million pledged to BCH’s

campaign through a planned gift. PLUS! BONUS $100,000 CHALLENGE!NC-based business AFTERDISASTER has madean additional 4:1 challenge. The company willgive $1 for every $4 donated making it possibleto raise an additional $500,000!

T H E C A M PA I G N ’ S T H R E E G O A L S :

Renovate facilities: Raise $3,900,000 for much-needed building and property repairs

Provide immediate financial stability: Raise much-needed operating funds

Create long-term sustainability: Increase endowment

Please give! Contact Brenda Gray at 336-689-4442 or email bbgray@bchfamily.org

To give immediately, visit www.bchfamily.org/givenow____________________________________________________________________

4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 5

[ E A S T E R A P P E A L }

I want to share the hope of Easter!

Name ________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State ______ Zip __________ Phone __________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa MC Name on card: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: ____________ Contact me with information on how to prepare a Christian Will.

Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___ I have included Baptist Children’s Homes in my estate plans.

Mail to: BCHP.O. Box 338Thomasville, NC 27361

Last year, 101 souls were won! Because of your prayersand generous support, lives were transformed!

We celebrate together when a child like Kayla gives her heart to Jesus. Children who have experienced so much heartache in their young lives findcomfort and healing. Children who were afraid to trust anyone come to trusta Heavenly Father. When you give, your support helps provide a safehome, daily provisions and the loving care of Christian houseparents.

Most importantly, you make it possible for the boys, girls and adults we minister to daily to know the hope of Jesus.

During this season, please help share the hope of Easter with our children! Make your special gift today.

Go to www.bchfamily.org/givenow or mail your gift using the form below.

$50 $100 $250 $500 $ ______________ Any size gift!

101 children and adults accepted Christ!

____________________________________________________________________

6 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 Learn more about BCH’s Weekday Education program by visiting www.bchfamily.org/weekdayeducation

he last child has gone home. Counters and table tops have been wiped clean, toys and

crayons have been put on shelves, and child-sizechairs have been tucked away. The class teacher surveys everything one last time, turns the light off, and thinks to herself about the next day’s lesson plan as she drives away.

The building is empty now, but the echoes of laughter and children’s voices linger. Walking down vacant halls, one can almost see childrenlearning and playing in the shadows. Since 1965,thousands of children and thousands of familieshave benefited from this ministry built on a deter-mination to be a leader among day care and early education programs, to be a bastion for familiespromoting wholesome living and Christian values, and to be a safe haven for all children without regard to special needs, race or backgrounds.

“Elizabeth Wagoner had a passion for families,”Mary Lou Dickey says about the founding director.“Before Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) commit-ment to the Child Development Center, the atten-tion in day care and early education at that time was on just the child. Elizabeth pioneered the ideaof focusing on the entire family. She believed anywork with a child was only successful if it was integrated at home.”

The pilot Child Development Center launchedproviding weekday nursery, day care and kinder-garten services.

Wagoner served as the director until Dickeystepped into the position nine years later on June 1, 1974. Dickey was hired by Wagoner five years earlier as a kindergarten teacher and assistant director.

Dickey further enhanced parent involvement. “Moms and dads want to be recognized and connected. There needs to be a bond between whatwe do and the parents if we are to provide the best for the children.”

Before becoming director, Dickey had teamed with Wagoner visitingNorth Carolina Baptist churches needing assistance with existing or start-up day care programs. Now as director, she spent many days on the roadhelping hundreds of churches. She consulted on everything from begin-ning day care programs – buildings, program structure, furnishings andequipment – to training new and existing personnel and leadership.

The success of the program meant that more and more familieswanted to be a part of the program. “We kept having families come tous and we had to turn them away,” Dickey remembers. “My attentionquickly turned to expanding and growing services.”

Besides caring for three and four year olds and providing a kinder-garten, the program was expanded to care for two year olds. The ChildDevelopment Center slowly grew filling every corner of the building located behind Mills Home Baptist Church on the Mills Home campusin Thomasville. The Gregg Center was opened in 1990 to house an innovative after-school program and Linda Russo, who had worked forBCH for 11 years, was tapped to be its first director. A highlight for Dickey was the addition of the newly constructed Fleshman-Pratt Education Center in 1993. The 10,000square-foot facility accommodates 60 children, infants to toddlers and became a pinnacle

____________________________________________________________________

4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 7

Above, BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell cuts the Fleshman-Pratt dedication ribbon in 1993. Above right, Blackwell spends time reading to children attending BCH’s Child Development

Center. Right, children participate during a Christmas pageant produced by Weekday Education.

Top, Mary Lou Dickey served 35 years as the second director of BCH’schild care program followingfounder Elizabeth Wag-oner. Above, Linda Russo has served 12 years becoming the third director in 2003. Programs serve ages infant to grade 5.

Elizabeth Wagoner

Mary Lou Dickey

Linda Russo

[ 1965-2015 – WEEKDAY EDUCATION MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY }

Ministry serves as early childhood education leader for 50 years,placing priority on both children and families _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

T

for family involvement. Dickey says she gave her attention to fully incorporating family andhelping to create the most home-like setting possible. At the dedication Dickey assured thegathering, “we will not fail” those who trust BCH with their children.

Dickey credits the teachers and support staff for the success of the program during hertenure and says of her involvement, “This is where God had me to be.” After serving 35 years,she passed the mantle to Linda Russo who returned from a nine-year hiatus to become director in 2003.

Russo remains the director today and says during the past 12 years the emphasis has remained on excellence. She brought renewed fervor asserting all teachers were to have degrees – a two-year associates degree in early childhood development or a bachelor’s in a related area of study. She set the example by going back to college graduating in May 2009with a bachelor’s of science in human development and family studies.

With the urging of BCH president/CEO Michael C. Blackwell, Russo undertook the challenge of pursuing coveted five star licenses for both the Fleshman-Pratt Center for infantsto three-year-old and the Robert Idol Child Development Center for three to five-year-olds.

Russo remembers thinking, “How could we continue to claim to be a model program without a ‘five star’ rating?”The five star licensing is the highest issued by the North Carolina Division of Child Development. BCH was the

first organization in Davidson County to operate multiple five star centers. At the licensing celebration held October29, 2007, Russo told those attending, “We pledge to continue to provide the highest quality of care for our

children and their families.”“As president, I have guided this ministry for 32 of its 50 years,” Blackwell says. “I have

witnessed the compassion of two directors and many staff members who have refused to offeranything but quality care to so many children and families. We stand as an advocate for earlychildhood development in North Carolina and we will continue to lead the way in the years to come.”

MOST NEEDED ITEMS: (in bold)__ Canned Fruits__ Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins)__ Household cleaning products (i.e. bleach, Comet, Lysol spray and wipes, Clorox spray and wipes, Windex, Pinesol, Pledge, Tilex, etc.)__ Fruit Juice (apple, orange, grape, cranberry)__ Laundry Detergent__ Bottled Water__ Dry Cereal__ Spaghetti Sauce__ Pasta (spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni)__ Canned Tomatoes (diced, sauce, paste)__ Pancake Mix and Syrup__ Soups (all types & condensed)__ Sugar (granulated & brown)__ Flour

__ Splenda__ Popcorn and Kettle Corn__ Apple Sauce__ Fruit Pie Filling (cherry and peach)__ Beverage Mixes (tea, Tang, Kool-Aid, lemonade, cider mix – ALL SUGAR FREE)__ Vegetable Oil, Shortening, Olive Oil, Pam Cooking Spray, Bakers Choice__ Canned Sweet Potatoes, Canned Yams__ Canned Meats (pink salmon, tuna, roast beef, chicken - packed in water)__ Stuffing Mix__ Gravy Mixes__ Hamburger Helper (all types)__ Pickles (Sweet & Dill)__ Refried Beans__ Hot Chocolate Mix__ Snack Foods with & without sugar (Fruit Rollups, fruit cups, beef Jerky, Slim Jims, Pepperoni Sticks, Cheese Nips, pretzels, etc.)

__ Health Snacks (dried fruit, nuts, raisins, Cranraisins, trail mix)__ Individual Cookie Packs__ Jello__ PopTarts__ Rice__ Instant Potatoes (scalloped, au gratin, mashed, julienne)__ Muffin Mixes__ Bisquick Mix__ Kidney Beans__ Baked Beans__ Pickle Relish__ Cranberry Sauce__ Mac & Cheese__ Corn Meal__ Jiffy Mixes, Corn Muffin Mix__ Potatoes__ Hush Puppy Mix__ Peanut Butter__ Jelly, Jams, Preserves (strawberry is their favorite!)__ Pizza & Pizza Dough Mix__ Saltine Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Graham Crackers__ Sauces (A-1, steak, bbq, Texas Pete, cheese, Worcestershire, soy, teriyaki, sweet & sour)__ Spices and Seasonings

(including salt & pepper)__ Dishwashing detergents__ Laundry pre-treating products (i.e. Shout, and Spray and Wash)__ Brooms, Mops, Scrub Brushes, Dust Pans__ Foil and Plastic Wrap__ SOS Pads__ Fabric Softener (dryer sheets)__ Sanitary Pads & Tampons__ Hand Lotion__ Shampoo__ Body Wash__ Soap__ Hand Sanitizer

OTHER NEEDED ITEMS:__ Brownie & Cookie Mix__ Canned Vegetables__ Hot Dog Chili__ Coffee (regular & decaf)__ Coffee Creamer__ Sweetened Condensed Milk__ Evaporated Milk__ Dehydrated Food (powdered

milk & eggs, dehydrated meals)

__ Flavorings (vanilla, etc.)__ French Fried Onions__ Honey__ Ketchup__ Mustard__ Oatmeal

__ Parmesan Cheese

__ Puddings, Pudding Cups

__ Salsa__ Vinegar__ Paper Products

(cups, plates, bowls, plastic ware)__ Copy/Printer Paper __ Trash Bags (large & small)__ Zip-Loc bags (sandwich,

snack, quart & gallon sizes)__ Band Aids__ Rubbing Alcohol/Peroxide__ Razors__ Shaving Cream/Shaving Gel__ Dental Floss__ Hair brushes__ Deodorant__ Conditioner__ Tooth Paste__ Tooth Brushes__ Diapers (all sizes)__ Baby Wipes__ Bug Repellent__ Wasp/Hornet Spray__ Sunblock 30+__ Batteries (AA , AAA and D)__ Disposable Gloves (latex &

non-Latex)

Download flyers, ads and the video at www.bchfamily.org/foodroundup

[ FOOD ROUND-UP }

Needs list______________________________________

BCH serves as many as 700,000 meals and snacks

every year. Providing for the daily needs of boys and girls is no small task. This year’sFood Roundup is slated for April. Now is thetime to begin gathering your food and nonper-ishable items. Questions? Call Alan Williams at 1-800-476-3669 ext. 1277.

Collection points stand ready to receive food donations

Additional info:Gift Cards are greatlyappreciated to buy perishablesand items not received. (i.e.Wal-Mart, Sams Clubs, FoodLion, Lowes, Ingles, Piggly Wiggly)

We can use all size cans,however most campusesprefer #10 cans (family size).

Please check for expired dateson food.

Please help our volunteertruck drivers by packing yourchurch’s donations in small,sturdy boxes.

For more information contactAlan Williams at 1-800-476-3669 ext. 1277 or awilliams@bchfamily.org

Trevor & Tabitha’sFood Roundup Video

Share the siblings’ story with yourchurch or group. Download at

www.tiny.cc/foodroundup

April 2015

Alexander AssociationLari Stucky828-632-6546Anson AssociationBarbara Kendall704-694-2790Ashe AssociationTrish Church336-846-5631Atlantic AssociationRachel Dupree252-447-4593Avery AssociationGarland Huneycut (Call First)828-733-6674Beulah AssociationLona Lockhart336-599-6117Bladen AssociationWendy Cannon910-862-3496Blue Ridge AssociationSharon Blanton (Call First)828-559-0685Brier Creek AssociationSherry Mesimer336-468-8000Brunswick AssociationJeff Gibby910-754-7979Brushy Mountain Assoc.Lois Woodie336-838-4407Buncombe AssociationNancy Owen828-252-1864

Burnt Swamp Assoc.Odum Home - Kathy Locklear910-521-3433/910-318-3981Cabarrus AssociationMarvin Tyson704-786-9171Caldwell AssociationAssociation GarageDarlene Townsend828-758-4081Carolina AssociationPaula James828-693-4274Catawba River Assoc.Marlene Houk828-437-0137Catawba Valley Assoc.Woodlawn BC (Call First)Rev. Jerry Anderson828-464-6921Cheoah AssociationNew Hope BC (Call First)Gerald & Nellie Phillips828-479-8279Chowan AssociationNancy Porter252-426-9621Columbus Association1. Theresa Powell910-642-21552. Chadbourn BCTheresa Powell910-654-3992Cullom AssociationMary White (Call First)252-257-4513

Dan Valley AssociationRev. Walter Daves (Call First)336-342-2207Dock AssociationAl Gore (Call First)910-640-0801Eastern Association1. Donna Landis/Sandra Winstead910-293-70772. Grove Park BC910-592-3937Elkin AssociationBill Davis/Lisa Green336-835-8433Flat River AssociationBecky Curran (Call First)919-693-2300French Broad AssociationDru Moore828-689-2845Graham AssociationNew Hope BC (Call First)Gerald & Nellie Philips828-479-8279Greater Cleveland Assoc.Charles Reid704-482-3472, ext. 106704-477-7584Greater Gaston Assoc.WarehouseThane Kendall704-867-7257Green River AssociationTeresa Sams828-286-9278

Haywood AssociationBroyhill Home - Linda Morgan828-627-9254Johnston AssociationJohnston Comm. CollegeCarolyn Tharrington orKelton Hinton919-934-3749/919-965-9450Liberty AssociationMills Home (Call First)Charlotte Beck336-787-5892Little River Association(Call First)1. Baptist Grove BCJonell Hardy919-552-85922. Gourd Springs BCAndrew Austin910-436-02763. Lillington BCPatricia Brown910-893-91514. Westfield BCMarian Honeycutt910-892-2216Macon AssociationCindy Bohner (Call First)828-524-3215Metrolina AssociationAngie Wolff704-375-1197Mitchell AssociationJudy Greer828-765-9412

Montgomery AssociationHelen Williams (Call First)910-572-2451Mount Zion AssociationSandy King (Call First)336-226-0249Neuse AssociationKennedy Home – Brenda Hinson252-522-0811 ext. 4410New River AssociationGlenna Devinney910-347-3146New South River Assoc.Robert Ivey910-485-8791North Roanoke Assoc.Debbie Williams (Call First)252-443-3883Pee Dee AssociationLanell Moree910-895-5282Piedmont AssociationRebecca Newlin336-275-7651Pilot Mountain Assoc.Karen Taylor (Call First)336-759-7622Polk AssociationHubert Street (Call First)828-894-3787Raleigh AssociationIris Woodard919-231-3995Randolph AssociationDrema Hill/Steve Sells336-625-4175

Robeson AssociationAlan Taylor910-738-8186Rocky Face AssociationTony Daniels (Call First)828-850-2267/828-632-4726Rowan AssociationCindy Key704-637-3407Sandhills AssociationPatty Lunday910-947-2238Sandy Creek AssociationNancy Evans919-776-9423Sandy Run AssociationLoretta Winters (Call First)828-245-2613South Fork AssociationFaith Ingle704-735-1642South Mountain Assoc.Mary Van Dyke704-462-4472South Roanoke Assoc.1. First BC, WilsonMax Liles 2. Association OfficeLinda Franks/Phil Frady252-756-4332South Yadkin AssociationFairview BC (Call First)Paul Hill704-872-4246

Stanly AssociationJudy Hartsell/Libby Hartsell704-982-4891704-982-1033Stony Fork AssociationRoy Grider (Call First)828-295-3410Surry AssociationSylvia Chilton336-789-5701Tar River AssociationPauline Muller919-496-7172Tennessee River Assoc.FBC, Bryson City (Call First)Judy Hensley828-488-2679Three Forks AssociationBarry Nealy828-264-4482Transylvania AssociationNancy Kilpatrick828-877-3203Truett AssociationKaren Twiss (Call First)828-837-5401Tuckaseigee AssociationGracella Morris828-586-6011Union AssociationJean Rollins704-283-8383United Association(Drop at Metrolina Assoc.)Angie Wolff704-375-1197

West Chowan Assoc.Britton Ministries – Joann Mizelle252-332-3235Wilmington Association(Call First)1. Theresa Bradley910-799-11602. Scotts Hill BCAlena Sandlin910-686-98853. Northside BC910-791-6053Yadkin AssociationBrenda Garner/Dennis Shaw336-679-8731Yancey AssociationCathy Silvers828-682-2388Yates AssociationTeresa Dotson/Michael Bond(Call First)919-489-3396

Help? Call Alan Williams at 1-800-476-3669 ext. 1277.Visit Food Roundup online at www.bchfamily.org/foodroundup

Please note in the above information that somelocations request callingfirst before delivering FoodRoundup collections.

____________________________________________________________________

8 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3

Wer’re looking forward to Homecoming July 31-Au-

gust 2. While our alumni go abouttheir daily lives all across this nation,your devoted Alumni Council continues work they have set for them-selves to do. Shortly after Homecom-ing, President Estie Culler named aMitchell Museum Chairman, FloraHicks Patton, and the committee com-posed of Kaye Trantham Mills, Keith(Bill) Campbell, Jim Hamby and Estieas ex officio member set about puttingthings in a new arrangement in thebuilding. Many things have beenmoved from one room to another sothat various rooms could be organizedthematically: there is a dining room,bedroom, infirmary, school room,scout room, etc. Pictures have beenframed and hung, others have beenmoved to different spots, utility itemshave been more appropriately stored,labels have been redone, an inventoryhas replaced the old one, and so manyother things have been done. Somefolks have seen some of the improvements on FaceBook, and theAlumni Council has toured the build-ing and enjoyed seeing the changes.Many folks have oohed and aahed atthe pictures of the back porch that JimHamby, (aided by Gary Mills, Kaye’shusband) has added to the back of theMitchell where the kitchen and diningroom once stood. Seeing all these im-provements is a treat you can expectJuly 31-August 2. One really nicetouch is that he was lucky to find someused posts which matched those onthe front porch. The rest of us await apleasant surprise at the Mitchell whenwe are back home in August. So, setyour mind to return for a very specialtime of surveying the new splendor ofthe Mitchell Museum. You will be verypleased.

In the association meeting held inAugust 2013, the MH Alumni Associ-ation voted to allow the council tospend whatever was necessary up to$5,000 to renovate the “gazebo likestructure” at God’s Acre. Jim Hamby,with the aid of Pete Knight, KeithCampbell, Gary Mills & JimmyRochelle, completed that and it isbeautiful. The council recently ap-proved $350 to improve the fence andrepair two benches at God’s Acre and,

when the weather permits, that workwill be done maybe along with someother things. That is another tour youcan take at Homecoming!

Many alumni have expressed joy athearing the chimes on the MH campusagain. They love knowing that thesong they picked to honor a friend orrelative has been played on the specialday it was requested. You can still paya donation of $25 per song to beplayed for a friend or relative on a par-ticular day. Make check payable to MHAlumni Association and mail to FloraHicks Patton, 6428 Sisk Carter Rd.,Rockwell, NC, 28138.

We were deeply saddened to learnfrom Lorraine Owen Brewer (‘64) thather brother Larry Owen of BlackMountain died on Friday, February27. Larry came to MH from Bun-combe County in 1959 with siblingsLorraine and Tommy Owen, andRobert, Gail and Beth Rice. (All siblingssurvive.) He and his wife Judy weremarried 43 years and had one daugh-ter and one son. He loved spendingtime with family, his grandson, a spe-cial niece Stephanie, and a familyfriend Christi Whisnant. Larry was re-tired from the United States Navy withmore than 20 years of service, havingserved during the Vietnam War. Hewas a Veterans’ Advocate and servedon the Buncombe County VeteransMemorial Team for many years. Hewas a member of the Amvets Post#333 and The Masonic Lodge ofBlack Mountain. A Celebration of LifeService was held for Larry on Tuesday,March 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel ofthe Western Carolina State Veterans’Cemetery. Several alumni attended.

Jemi Van Zandt commented: “Larrywas the best of what it means to be aMills Home family member. His na-ture (spirit) set an example for us all.Larry cared! He is in our hearts and weare better for it. Prayers of comfort tofamily of this gentleman, our brother.”

A story of courage: Several weeksago Dennis Vaughan shared on theMills Home website that his sisterRegina Vaughan Kimes might have tohave a leg removed because of diabeticproblems. She had also been sufferingthe discomfort of dialysis and somefrustrations with care in a nursinghome. Though of good mind and still

“sharp as a tack” and still loving tobeat her sister Ramona or Dennis orfriends in a good game of backgam-mon, she decided in late December, orthereabouts, that she would stop thedialysis sometime around January 15and put her life in God’s hands. Shewas being aided by hospice at thattime. Dennis said Regina’s husband,Richard Kimes, sister Ramona, broth-ers Mike and Richard and he felt shehad thought things through and thatshe had made her peace with God, sothey did not try to change her mind.She passed away on Feb. 4. Friends cansend condolences to the familythrough Dennis: 5421 Denton Rd.,Thomasville, NC 27360 or to three_fords@yahoo.com.

Thanks to Frances Fore Lambeth forinforming me of the death of William(Bill) Fore on February 1. She is theyounger sister of the Fore Family ofthe 1950s but she did not ever live atMH. William was a very good friendof mine and a member of the class of1957. He was buried at Guilford Me-morial Park Cemetery in Greensboro,the city where he had lived most of hisadult life. William came to MH in1949 with siblings Mae, George, andLee, (all surviving) and graduated in1956, one year ahead of schedule. Hewas one of the seven students in theclass of 1957 who had only one classleft to complete after the junior year,so they all completed that class in sum-mer school and finished early. Soonafter graduation, William marriedBetty Hill and they had one daughterMaria. After moving to Greensboro,William held two jobs for a good manyyears: he was a hair stylist in Greens-boro and a designer of furniture inThomasville. George still lives inThomasville and Lee lives in Chicago.Friends may send condolences to thefamily through Mae Fore Culler at 132Friendly Rd., Thomasville, NC,27360. Please remember Mae inprayer also because she has sufferedsome health issues in recent months.

I was very saddened again whenDorothy Hoffman Vernon called withnews that Peggy Ann Foust Hunsucker(‘58) passed away February 18 after along battle with cancer. Peggy came toMH in 1943 with siblings Donald andShelby. She graduated in 1958 and

soon thereafter married James OlinHunsucker – they had one daughterand one son. She retired from the fi-nance department at High Point Re-gional Hospital after 38 years. She wasa member of Sophia Baptist Church.Peggy had been a widow for severalyears and resided with her daughterDonna Marshall. Just days before herown death, she had to deal with thedeath of her son Jeoffrey. She is sur-vived by her daughter Donna, her sis-ter Shelby and brother Donald, threegrandchildren and two great-grand-children. She was interred in FloralGarden Memorial Park Cemetery inHigh Point. Condolences may be sentto the family in care of Donna Mar-shall, 76 Quail Lane, Thomasville,NC, 27360.

A note to Facebook on Feb. 9 fromDwight Millsaps (‘64-‘66) indicated hewas thrilled to have been rememberedby some of his old Mills Home bud-dies like Harry Walls and Dave Steppe.He recalled some good times on cam-pus and remembered Harry as “toughman” on campus, Nathan Walls as agreat diver, Dave as the camper, andPhil Christman as the great artist (whosometimes “practiced” as he listenedto the preacher). Dwight mentionedthat he had been married a good longtime to Missy King from Winston andthat he had retired from South CentralBell after 36 years service. He actuallyis still as busy as anyone could be be-cause he is the full time pastor at God’sGathering Place, a Southern Baptistchurch in Chattanooga. He reported,“My sister Freida Millsaps Hindmanpassed away about three years ago.Man, I miss her for she was everythingto me. At MH in 1964-66, we had noone except our MH brothers and sis-ters.” He ended writing, “If youshould ever want me to speak atHomecoming, I will be glad to dothat. Blessings to you.”

New address book deadline is June15. Please send corrections and addi-tions to Sally Beck Ferguson, 25Southern Pine Trail, Ormand Beach,

FL, 32174 or fergu-sonsb@yahoo.com.

Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni____________________________________________________________________

4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 9

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Alumni give Mitchell Museum a facelift,God’s Acre gazebo renovated, chimes bring joy_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson (336) 299-7412 libsjohnson@triad.rr.com

____________________________________________________________________

10 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 Discover ways you can help BCH at www.bchfamily.org/getinvolved

___________________________________________Talent Shows

In March, Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH)residents living in the western North Carolina facilities let their gifts shinebrightly at the 2015 Western Area talentshow. Boys and girls living at Broyhill Homein Clyde, Truett Home in Hayesville, andDrake Cottage in Franklin as well as resi-dents from Alverta Bolick Home in Ashevilleparticipated. The children and staff atKennedy Home in Kinston also held theirtalent show in February. Participantsdemonstrated musical talents, performedskits and shared their proficiency for cook-ing, craft-making and painting. Above,Alverta Bolick Home resident Rob plays thekeyboard. Below, Kennedy Home residentspose after a performance.

___________________________________________“The Tie that Binds”

Children attending BCH’s Weekday Educa-tion afterschool program in Thomasvillelearned about helping orphans at the GoodShepherd Children’s Home in Guatemala. Asa part of the program’s 4-H Club, Charity &Children editor Jim Edminson shared “TheTie that Binds” promotion where friends donate their gently-worn ties to be sold

at the WMU Missions Extravaganza on April 17-18. ___________________________________________Mills Home

Mills Home resident Thomas and housepar-ent Teresa McLamb take a moment during asnowy day to pose for a photo. School wasout on February 28 due to winter weather.Snow covered the grounds at many of BCH’sstatewide locations giving residents a funday out of school.___________________________________________Oak Ranch

Lead pastor Barry Lawrence of FusionChurch in Spring Lake baptized Oak Ranchresident John on February 15. John, his sib-lings and mother Sherri live at Oak Ranch in Broadway and attend Fusion Church. OakRanch is a part of BCH’s Family Care resi-dential program for hard-working, singlemothers and their children. Sherri’s familyhas blossomed spiritually at Oak Ranchwhile empowering the mother to return to school and aid her in battling cancer.Learn about BCH’s statewide Family Careprogram at www.bchfamily.org/familycare___________________________________________Guatemala OrphanageChildren living at Good Shepherd Children’sHome, the orphange in Xela, Guatemala,celebrated Valentine’s Day by making color-

ful cards. In Guatemala, the holiday is called“Day of Love.” Learn more at www.bchfam-ily.org/guatemala___________________________________________Cameron Boys Camp

Cameron Boys Camp resident Nate startsthe fire for the stove in the Ranger group’scook tent. The boys plan and prepare mealsat the wilderness campsites where they liveyear-round. Learn more about Camp atwww.cameronboyscamp.org___________________________________________Odum Home

Members of First Baptist Church in Oak Island delivered Valentine’s Day gifts to residents at Odum Home in Pembroke. Theyalso brought computers, toner cartridgesand cell phones for BCH’s recycling program. ___________________________________________Children Helping Children

Fifth graders from Claxton ElementarySchool in Greensboro chose BCH as a serv-ice project this year. They collected moneyeach month and gave more than 100 itemsto BCH’s “Food Roundup” (see page 8).

[ AROUND THE STATE }

Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” residents, staff members and North Carolina Baptists are mak-

ing news. In Charity & Children and through BCH's social media posts, friendscan connect daily, weekly and monthly to learn about all of BCH's happenings.______________________________________________________________________________________

Stay connected online at www.bchfamily.org and on Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Vimeo. Also follow NCBAM (www.ncbam.org) and BCH'sDevelopmental Disabilities Ministry (www.hereismyhome.org).

April – Food Roundup:www.bchfamily.org/foodroundup

May 2 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday: Kennedy Home in Kinston, Mills Home inThomasville, Oak Ranch inBroadway

May 5 – Founders Day:Cameron Boys Camp in Cameron

May 9 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday: Camp Duncan in Aberdeen

May 9 – Barbecue Festival:Broyhill Home in Clyde

May 16 – Weekday Education50th Anniversary Festival:Mills Home in Thomasville

May 16 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday: Odum Home in Pembroke

May 30 – HopeFest:Lee Regional Fairgrounds in Sanford

July 3 - 5 – Kennedy Homecom-ing: Kennedy Home in Kinston

July 31 - Aug. 2 – Mills Home-coming: Mills Home inThomasville

Aug. 8 – Hope in Style:Greensboro Country Club inGreensboro

Sept. 10 – Western Area Confer-ence: Broyhill Home in Clyde

Sept. 12 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday:Cameron Boys Camp in CameronOak Ranch in BroadwayKennedy Home in Kinston

Sept. 19 – Friends of ChildrenWorkday:Camp Duncan in AberdeenOdum Home in Pembroke

Sept. 22 – Founders Day:Camp Duncan in Aberdeen

October 17 – UNITE YouthEvent: Mills Home in Thomasville

Nov. TBA – Super Senior Fest:Mills Home in Thomasville

Nov. 15-22 – Week of Prayer: Your prayers mean so much!

For more information on howyou or your church can partici-pate, call Alan Williams at 1-800-476-3669, ext. 1277.

2015 Eventswww.bchfamily.org/events

Thanks again to all the alumniwho helped with the ValentineParty at Kennedy Home in

February. Donna Weeks put thewhole thing together and we allpitched in to help give a great party –lots and lots of pizza, sweet stuff andgood Christian fellowship. We hopeto do this again next year. I see noreason why we can’t give partiesthroughout the year and make greatmemories. Let’s do it. Write Mrs.Katie and give us some ideas.

After our party was over thealumni board had a meeting to talkabout Homecoming and otheritems. If you have not met BrianBaltzell, the director of KennedyHome, you are in for a treat. He is a great person to have heading up activities and events at KennedyHome. He has great ideas for thecampus and the boys and girls. Sometime back, we talked to him aboutthe Kennedy Home Alumni having a weekend at the Beach Cottage.Brian worked everything out and it’sgoing to happen. May 28-31 are thedates. I received a letter from Katie,our president, and she is all excited.She especially loves to eat ice creamdown there and walk on the beachlate at night. We need your name andreservation by Mother’s Day week-end. I need to know who plans to attend by May 11. You may write meat my email address or call Katie. Ofcourse there are some very importantrules we need to abide by such as“no pets” are allowed. Just supposewe had fifty or sixty dogs and catsshow up! What a time that would be.As you know, we have a limited num-ber of spaces to sleep so it will haveto be on a “first come, first serve”reservation. Also, we have decided to make it for alumni and their husbands or wives. If everyonebrought four children and ten grand-children, we would only be able to have about four families. Findsomeone to keep your children andlet’s make it like the “old days.” Thisway you will be able to spend all thetime fellowshipping with each other.Won’t that be fun?

Some may have to sleep oncouches, but that will be ok. We plan

to eat lightly except on Saturdaynight and the Board decided wewould all go out to eat that night.You may go as a group or as a cou-ple – how romantic! In the nextnewsletter, I’ll give you the rest ofthe details. We will all have to chip inand give a little money to buy thefood. If your husband or wife can’tcome, come on by yourself. Whoknows what fun you will have. Also,I want to ask you to bring some delicious desserts to share with all ofus. Let’s gain ten pounds each. Goahead and send me your e-mail.

A little story from Ed Pait: “I hadlived at Kennedy Home for sometime when I acquired some of the duties one receives after the farmsuperintendent trusts you with a huge tractor. I hadn’t plowed thelarge fields yet, only pulled trailersand mowed grass. Mr. McDadedecided it’s time I plow for a while.He is on the tractor with me and tellsme I can get the job done by takingmy time and not getting too close tothe fence. I want to be a perfectionistand want to get as close to the fenceline as possible. I put the tractor ingear. Take off with all faith every-thing will be okay. He yells to stop! I slam on the brakes and as I look tomy left, I see seven or so fence postscome out of the ground. The diskhad caught the wire and snatched theposts up. As I look to my right, I seeMr. McDade on the front wheel ofthe tractor. I roll him off the wheeland he’s not happy.

“He had to catch his breath afterthe tire knocked it out of him. I don’t know who put the posts backin. I went on to disk and mow eachsummer until I left Kennedy Homein 1969.”

Another little story from Ed: “Weare young adults now and havelearned to be very responsible,knowing that if we keep the busschedule tight and behave as well ashave enough responsibility, we cankeep six or so busses at KennedyHome. The $20 we were paid todrive was a lot of money back then.Yes – twenty school days per monthand twenty dollars per month. Wewere paid a dollar a day for each

school day we drove. It’s scary look-ing back on what our responsibilitywas. Fifty cents per sixty kids to bedelivered to school and back homeeach day. Ok, now the story! We areat the school bus garage picking upour bus for the new school year tocome. We are told not to start ourbus until the bus ahead of us beginsleaving. Someone comes to my busand tells me, “EP, Linda has run intothe bus in front of her and the onebehind her. I get together and telleveryone we need the busses at KHnot to say a word. Linda will lose herlicense. Linda went on to drive thebus. No one told on her. I doubt shehas ever gotten a ticket. Sometimewe need a second chance and some-time things shouldn’t be talkedabout until a later day. I am veryproud that I had the chance to liveand know some of the boys and girlsat Kennedy Home. Most are stillvery responsible and professional.”

Now see there, it doesn’t takelong to write a little story and sendit to me. Everyone please sit downand write me a note. Make it realgood. Tell us about some of yourbest friends. Tell us about holidayswith visiting parents.

After Becky and I left KennedyHome, we became a visiting homefor a while and really enjoyed it. Itwas a new experience having girls inthe house, because as you know, wehad two boys.

This and that from several folks:Linda Caulder Jenkins (1963-68) toldof feeling like she had a “safe” homeat Kennedy Home. She says that sheloves her dear friends that scared herso bad in the pool. “I still do nottrust people around water. We donot see each other often but I stillhold a special place in my heart forthem.”

Linda says that her favorite timewas at the pool. “I never learned toswim good but I can dog paddle. I loved diving and flipping off thediving boards. Girls scared me whentrying to jump from the low boardand I never did learn to swim. Justhad fun in my own way.”

Katie Parker shares: “I learned toswim the first day. We all had to pass

a swim test or stay in the shallowend. A little girl taught me how todo it. I have been swimming eversince.” John Thompson added: “I gotmy lifesaving certificate in that pool.Bill Beacham and I took the class together. We had to do all the testson each other. We never did touchlips when we learned how to makepeople breathe again! He would siton my stomach and pop me on theface. I was mashed flat. Bill and I could jump in and save all thosepeople, no matter what size theywere. I remember pulling a little girlout who thought she could swim.She jumped off the diving board anddidn’t come up until I jumped in andgot her. We made it.”

Phillip Dupree says that FreddieHimes was his best friend there.Phillip loved to camp at the SkeeterHut with me and several other staffchildren. Tammy Preddy says that theSkeeter Hut was her all-time favoritespot. And going on choir trips wasfun, too.

At the Valentine Party, KatieParker told us all about receiving a very special box this past Christ-mas. It was very heart warming shesaid. Katie told us that under her treein her home was a box fixed for her.She wondered what in the world itwas. Finally, the time came to openthe box. Someone in her family hadsaved her bible that she used atKennedy Home when she lived theremany years ago. We all had tears in our eyes just seeing her glowtelling about her Bible. It meant somuch to her.

LOOK FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUTTHE BEACH COTTAGE TRIP IN MYNEXT COLUMN. REMEMBER: SENDIN YOUR RESERVATION.

Please write me some new aboutyour childhood trips to the beach cottage to put in the nextpaper. Email me at jthompson117@

ec.rr.com. Blessings to all!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni

John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.

____________________________________________________________________

4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3 11

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

KH Alumni planning Beach Cottage tripslated for May 28-31. Make reservations now!_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 2324 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (252)671-3515 jthompson117@ec.rr.com

More Homeword at www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren____________________________________________________________________

12 4/15 – Charity + Children – 128/3

Calling All State Employees!Choose BCH as your charity in theState Employees Combined Campaign.SECC code is 3641. Encourage others toas well and better the lives of childrenand families in North Carolina.# 3 6 4 1

We participate in these areas:C F C # 3 3 2 4 1

Research Triangle Area CFCCape Fear Area CFCCamp Lejeune/OnslowCounty/New River CFCSoutheastern North Carolina (includes Fort Bragg)

Greater North Carolina CFCCherry Point CFCRowan/Iredell County CFCCFC Central CarolinasCFC of Western NC

South Hampton Roads CFC(Camden, Chowan, Currituck,Dare, Gates, Hertford,Pasquotank, and PerquimansCounties and Albemarle andElizabeth City)

Can we help?BCH offers services for children and families. Needhelp, call 1-800-476-3669.

1.Western Area Family Services Linda Morgan, Lead Dir. 828-627-9254

2.Central Area Family Services Regina Keener, Dir. 336-474-1200

3.Eastern Area Family Services Brian Baltzell, Dir. 252-522-0811

3.Odum Home Kathy Locklear, Res. Campus Mgr.910-521-3433

4.Cameron Boys Camp Stephen Ashton, Dir. 910-245-4034

5.Camp Duncan for Girls Paul Daley, Dir. 910-944-3077

6.Oak Ranch/Family CareLynn Garner, Dir. 336-474-1240

7.Weekday EducationLinda Russo, Dir. 336-474-1201

8.Dev. Disabilities Ministry Peggy Pennington, Dir. 336-474-1261

9.NC Baptist Aging MinistrySandy Gregory, Dir. 336-474-1221

Ideas or suggestions, contact: Keith Henry, COO at 336-474-1215

There were days when I walked in from work and three-year-old Kyle

might not look up or even ackowledge myhomecoming. His eyes were riveted to thetelevision. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he talked alternating to me and to the screen’scharacters. “Hi Daddy! Guess what? We’re havingmeat tonight!”

My son was watching Transformers. “. . .morethan meets the eyes. . .” Kyle sang along, and almost unwillingly, I joined in. “Transformers, robots in disguise.” That got his attention.

“Daddy, this one’s about Bumble Bee, andguess what? He’s not really a car!” I sat down beside my boy and listened to the story about therobots-slash-vehicles that transform when neededto save the day. “. . .and the bad guys need towatch out because Optimus Prime always wins!”

We watched the last bit together, and Kyle assured me that he’s for the good guys. “Youknow why? They can transform, Daddy!”

It was 1985.Kyle’s Grandma learned all about Transformers,

too. She listened when her small grandson wenton and on about the heroes disguised as cars andtrucks and even eighteen wheelers. Tucked insidehis Easter basket that year, Kyle found a red sportscar that he could twist and turn and make into a. . .“Transformer! More that meets the eye!” Kyleburst into sweet song, and his aunts, uncles, mom,dad, and grandparents smiled as he left the rest of the basket unpacked and turned the robot backinto a red car, pushing it along the carpet andmaking up scenarios pieced together from severalrecent episodes. Later, the Transformer accompa-nied him on the Easter egg hunt. The day trans-formed into a happy memory.

When I was a little boy, my mom and dadtucked Matchbox cars into my Easter basket alongwith Elmer’s candies and a big chocolate bunny.My imagination created lots of enjoyment withthose cars, and in my closet today, those treasures

reside in anow-antiqueMatchboxcase.

Kyle’s fascination with the autos is almost an extension of my fascination with a different version of toy cars. It was easy to spend timewatching Transformers and then push the toysaround with him, following his directives, enteringhis imaginary world of good guys and bad guys.My Matchbox cars never fought for justice likeKyle’s Transformers, but I could make the leap.

Skipping fast-forward a few decades, I sit eagerly watching my phone. “Kathy, it’s time. Kyle said he would call to FaceTime at 5:00.”

Before she joins me, I hear the ring, push a button, and hear Kyle’s oldest child’s voice.“Hey Papa! Guess what this is?” Instead of seeingStuart’s face, I behold an oversized toy that looksa lot like. . . “It’s a Transformer!” Roger’s vehiclepops into view, “This is Bumble Bee, Papa!” Stuart adds, “Mine’s Optimus Prime!” They make their voices drop an octave and sing thesong through the airwaves.

“What’s that?” I ask, and wait for them to tell

me all aboutthe hero robots/vehicles.

Kathy joins me, and our grandsons begin again,catching her up on the latest Transformer storiesof good guys who win every time.

Transformers are bigger than they appear, andthey have a big impact on the society they protect.No wonder they capture the attention and admira-tion of Stuart and Roger – and, in earlier years,Kyle. And while these toys and television showsdid not exist in my boyhood world of make-be-lieve, I have encountered the real deal every nowand then: Men and women of faith who allow the Lord Jesus to change them from the insideout, becoming transformers, working for good,spreading the word of freedom in Christ.

The Easter story comes alive by those called by God to live transformed lives for His glory –calling others to be transformed, too. A few twistsand turns by the hands of the mighty God revealsthe treasure – a new creature.

I am thankful for a loving Savior who conquered sin and death to transform me upon my acceptance of His forgiveness and grace. I amthankful for my grandsons’ belief in good over evilin this world and the foundation their parents arelaying to their paths of salvation. I am thankful forthe Easter season and the renewal of my heart tothe transforming power of Jesus. Transformers. . .

I think I will add a couple of items to the Easterpackage ready to go through the mail to Stuart

and Roger. Can you guess what?

[ H O M E W O R D }

Transformingpower of Jesus___________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Edminson is editor of Charity & Children and writes“Homeword” to inspire and encourage families in themidst of full lives and hectic schedules. He is available for preaching and speaking engagements. Email him atwjedminson@bchfamily. org or call 1-800-476-3669,ext. 1217 to schedule a date.