Him to everything that I do.” – Sandy Perry Charity …Charity&Children And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s

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

Create summertime memories by giving. (page 5) Kennedy Home Centennial Celebration on July 5-6. (page 7)

5/14_________________ 127/4_________________

[ “I ask God to direct my paths desiring to connectHim to everything that I do.” – Sandy Perry }

High up on Beech Mountain, brothers R.L. and Ben lived on the family farm with

their momma and daddy. The elevation reachesup to 5,605 feet and the town of Beech Moun-tain, the highest town east of the Rocky Moun-tains, has a sparse 145 households.

Sixty-six-year-old R.L. says his parents wereaged when he was born. He and Ben, two ofseven siblings, are developmentally disabled. “Welived with our parents because we can’t make itby ourselves.”

Ben, the older of the two at 68 years old, remembers being sent home from school becausethe teachers told them they couldn’t learn. “We helped Momma and Daddy on the farm,” he remembers. “We worked taking care of thelivestock.” The family raised goats, sheep, chick-ens, and pot-bellied pigs.

When winter came to Beech Mountain, thehomeplace chimney stayed stoked – it was theonly heat the family had. The brothers helped tokeep wood supplied. Both remember how coldthose days were. Living on the mountain washard, they said. But their parents took care ofthem providing a good home until they passed.

As adults, the brothers bothbegan to lose their eyesight.Ben has had surgery and cansee better than R.L., but bothare legally blind.

“After Momma and Daddydied, we were taken care of by our sister,” Bensays. But her health concerns made the task ofcaring for her brothers difficult, and she soughthelp.

In 2007, R.L. and Ben were the second and third residents admitted to one of Baptist Children’sHomes’ new developmental disabilities homes inZionville – Joy Cove’s Three Forks Home.

Although the men are very close, they havedifferent interests. Ben is a country and westernenthusiast. He loves western movies, LorettaLynn is his favorite country singer, and he isproud to show off his holster and two shiny

silver toy six-shooters.The brothers spend time watching

television together – Ben watches andthen tells R.L. what is happening. WhileBen likes cowboy shows where the starsride horses and shoot guns, R.L says his

favorites are old episodes of Little House on thePrairie “cause it ain’t got violence.”

R.L. was baptized last year by Union BaptistChurch’s pastor Vernon Eller. The local Zionvillechurch is supportive of the residents at JoyCove’s two facilities – Three Forks and LindsayHomes.

”I asked Jesus to come into my heart,” R.L.

says. “I was baptized. They put me in the waterand then got me back out of the water; that’s allI know.”

Ben says, “R.L. wanted to be baptized. It wasoutside at the church – they baptized him in a pool.”

“Yes, it made me feel real good,” R.L. addssmiling. “Ben was baptized a long time ago. I needed to be baptized, too.”

The men like to draw pictures and color.Loose white paper and drawing pads scatteredaround each of their rooms have images made by the brothers with colored markers. Ben use a variety of colors, but R.L. draws all his pictureswith a red marker.

R.L.’s pictures are identical – each time thesame. He draws red lines horizontally across thecenter of a page and then draws lines vertically

M O R E MORE inspiration in

every issue.

Brothers togetherat Three Forks___________________________________________________

By Jim Edminson, Editor

Ben and R.L. spend time drawing together. Their artwork fills drawing pads and adorns reams of loose white paper. The brothers live at Three Forks Home in Zionville. They were among the first residents who came to live at the home

after Joy Cove Ministries was dedicated in 2006.

(Story continues on page 6.)

____________________________________________________________________

2 5/14 – Charity + Children – 127/4

Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; W. James Edminson, editor ([email protected]); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor ([email protected]); Marcia Housand, Account Clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year forfriends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes and is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC. It is 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 additionalmailing offices. For free subscription, or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction or change, write circulationmanager Karen Fincher (using the above address), email her at [email protected] or call her at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online atwww.bchfamily.org/contact/index/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, P.O. Box 338,Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.

More stories at www.bchfamily.org

Ibelieve in having fun at work and look forways to make sure that staff members have

fun, too. April 1st (April Fool’s Day) gave me a perfect opportunity to set up some fun forTrustees and staff members as well as show ourTrustees the passion, creativity and dedication of our leadership.

Four committees of the Board of Trustees –Programs & Services, Long Range Planning, Personnel Policy, and Properties – met in con-junction with the quarterly In-Office manage-ment gathering.

I gave each staff person attending the same assignment: make a 90-second presentationshowing what each thinks the letters B-C-H canrepresent. I let them know they could use a propto help them. I gave one group nicknames –Lefty, Righty, Lefty Jr., Beautiful Maiden, The ETG, Hot Sauce Lady, The Queen, The Young Girl, andACE – and prepped them beforehand concerningtheir “names.”

I referred to the first nine by their “nick-names” related only to them. We had Lefty(Keith Henry), Righty (Brenda Gray), Lefty Jr. (Linda Morgan), Beautiful Maiden (LindaRusso), The ETG (Blake Ragsdale), Hot SauceLady (Lynn Garner), The Queen (ReginaKeener), The Young Girl (Martha Surratt), andACE (Nancy McNeill) to present first. They werejoined by Stephen Ashton, Brian Baltzell, KathyLocklear, Peggy Pennington, Sandy Gregory, and Jim Edminson. Can you imagine how much diversity, talent, creativity, and passion thisgroup brought to such an assignment?

Posters, original songs – with singing, a magicwand, twine that binds, video clips, words inLatin and Spanish, lemonade, bubble gum, hotdogs, and a device that shoots a rocket into theair were all part of this exciting adventure. Myown name to describe Baptist Children’s Homeshas been Building Children’s Hope. As good asthat is, others captured the spirit of the exercisewith profound insight into what BCH really is and what it does.

Did you know that Beati Cras Habitare means

Blessed to LiveTomorrow inLatin? Or thatBendiciendaCorazones Heridas is Spanish forBlessingWounded Hearts(provided byour missionaries Anthony andDarcy Moon via video fromGuatemala)?These phrases certainly depictBCH.

How aboutBelieving Christ Heals, or Being Christ’s Hands,Blessing-Changing-Helping, Banning Children’sHopelessness, Bridging Children’s Hope, BindingChristian Hearts, and Bring Children (to new)Heights? I’m sure you would agree all are worthyof an Academy Award.

Bringing Christian Hope, Blessing Children’sHearts, Building Courage and Hope, BravingChallenges with Heart, and Bubble gum, Cottoncandy, Hot dogs all piqued our imaginations.

My one word after each presentation was awesome. Trustees and staff members were“blown away” by the spirit and fun created aseach person shared the many facets of BCH. As a reward, I gave each presenter a $2 bill.

We love to have fun while always keeping inmind our purpose. Staff members seemed to havea great time presenting and watching their peersshare their creative ideas. Some responses that I received about the day:

Thanks Dr. Blackwell for making workfun. I truly enjoy sharing time with thiscreative group of people.

I really enjoyed the activity! The wholeday was a good one!

I agree with everyone! Special day.

Special folks.Great fun. The whole day was a success.I think this day was fun for everyone! I

try to imagine what the trustees might thinkand then we get a glimpse by reading the insightful devotion by David Smith.

Thanks so much Dr. B. It was truly inspiring to watch everyone. I was blessed to be a part of the program, and blessed to be a part of this group.My response to their comments: “What a

marvelous, uplifting, inspiring, creative, dynamic,amazing job each of you did. I had no idea whatwas going to happen, but it far exceeded whatexpectations I might have had. The ebb and flowwith each presentation was a wonder to behold.

“What a stellar group of champions you are.Blessings, and may the Holy Spirit continue to fillyou with power, imagination and PASSION.”

Dr. Blackwell maintains his youthfulappearance by letting the good timesroll – laissez les bons temps rouler!He also tries to eat right, exercise regularly, and, even occasionally, get a decent night’s sleep.

BCH’s vice president, human resources & compliance Nancy McNeill, left, tied up the group attending a meeting of four committees of the Board of Trustees as she presented her idea of

Binding Christian Hearts. Management leadership presented creative, 90-second presentationsshowing what they thought the letters B-C-H can represent.

[ MY THOUGHTS }

Fun and creativityunleash passion___________________________________________________________________ ____________

By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO

Learn about the aging adult ministry at www.ncbam.org____________________________________________________________________

5/14 – Charity + Children – 127/4 3

It can be nerve racking to stand before a large group, especially when most days

the audiences are the well-known children andresidents in care. For this year’s four recipients ofBaptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) 2014 Excel-lence in Direct Service Award, their jitters provednot to be a problem as they boldly shared howthey felt God led them to their places of services.Each one said they were honored to be recog-nized, but each one also humbly thankedTrustees in attendance, BCH president MichaelC. Blackwell, and other guests for allowing themto be a part of the 128-year-old ministry.

The award winners are selected by their peers and are recognized for achieving quality relationships with children, families, co-workers,and colleagues. These staff members work directly with the children and residents entrustedto BCH’s care.

2014 HonoreesRose Bryant came to Kennedy Home on May

1, 2007 as a case manager. She quickly assumedmore responsibilities and wasrecently promoted to the po-sition of Lead Case Managerwith some supervisory responsibilities. Bryant is an active part of the FamilyCare Ministry as well as takingthe position of lead case manager with Residen-tial Services where she collects data and assists in ensuring that documentation meets BCH’sstandard of quality.

Angie Fowler is a direct care professional at Joy Cove’s Lindsay Home for developmentally

disabled women in Zionville. She is meticulouswith the medication administration, case docu-mentation, appointment management, and keep-

ing the home orderly. Fowler loves theladies and they feel safe with her. Shecares for and strives to be there for them,to listen and help them when they aretroubled, and to celebrate their successes.Brenda Hofstetter began working

with BCH at the Robert Idol Child Develop-ment Center in September of 2012. Hofstetter’swonderful personality helped her fit right in be-coming part of the team. Hofstetter is a creativeteacher who uses original ideas to teach pre-school concepts. She is a lead teacher to a class

of 18 NC Pre-Kindergarten children (formerlyknown as More at Four). She works daily helpingat-risk children become ready for kindergarten.

Richard Schwall came to work at BroyhillHome on September 7, 1998 after retiring from20 years of service in the Navy. His peers say he is a highly dependable staff member. Schwall is admired by the children and families he servesand staff members with whom he works. He sayshe is committed to serving God and he has adeep love for BCH. Schwall dedicates himselfdaily to being a role model for Christ. He be-lieves if just one child that is placed in his carecomes to know the Lord, then his life will havemeant something for the glory of Jesus Christ.

BCH president Michael C. Blackwell, center, stands with the 2014 Excellence in Direct Service Award recipients. Left to right are, Rose Bryant of Kennedy Home in Kinston, Angie Fowler of Joy Cove in Zionville, Richard Schwall of Broyhill Home in Clyde, and Brenda Hofstetter of Weekday Education in Thomasville. Individuals work directly with

children, residents and families and are selected by their peers.

[ STAFF RECOGNIZED }

Direct ServiceAwards presented_________________________________________________________

Director appointed to governor’s council__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sandy Gregory has been appointed by NorthCarolina governor Pat McCrory to theState’s Council on Homelessness. Pursuant

to North Carolina Executive Order 35 (2013),Gregory’s term began when issued and will expirein February, 2016. The Council provides recom-mendations to the Governor and the Secretary ofthe Department of Health and Human Serviceson issues related to the problems of persons whoare homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Gregory has served as director of North Car-olina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) since itscreation in 2009. NCBAM assists aging adults 65and older across the state. The ministry connectsthe aging and their families with resources tomeet needs. In partnership with North CarolinaBaptists (a network of more than 4,000 churches)as well as civic and social agencies, NCBAMstrives to enable aging adults to maintain their

independence and enjoy qual-ity lives.

Commenting on his appointment, Gregory stated,“Because of the growth of theaging population and the ratioof those who are economicallyvulnerable, homelessnessamong aging adults will sub-stantially increase over the next

decade. The physical health problems among thispopulation will present challenges to homelessservice providers. In regards to homelessness,healthcare and other issues, meeting the needs ofaging adults will be one of the greatest domesticpolicy challenges of the century. I’m honored torepresent NCBAM and Baptist Children’s Homeswhile serving on the Council and hope to make a positive impact for North Carolina’s aging.”

Gregory

C A R E CARE andsee lives changed

forever.

NCBAM needs . . .. . . grab bars and other fall-prevention de-vices funded and installed across the state.

. . . window and free-standing fans for agingadults who will suffer in summer’s heat.

. . . volunteers who like to mow, trim, rake,and bless others.

C a l l 1 . 8 7 7. 5 0 6 . 2 2 2 6

Help a frail aging adult

Kennedy Home in Kinston officially opened on June 5, 1914. Two years prior,

Captain William Lafayette Kennedy and hiswife Emily Hardee Kennedy signed over thedeed of their 1,240-acre farm on May 14, tothe Baptist Orphanage for the purpose of makinga difference in the lives of orphaned children ineastern North Carolina.

Their commitment to seeing the orphanagegrow was emphasized when Emily Kennedy soldher diamonds – diamonds her husband had givenher each year on their wedding anniversary – tofund the construction of a children’s cottage inmemory of her father. Soon after she made hergift, she was struck terminally ill, but EmilyKennedy was determined to see the buildingcompleted before she died. On May 10, 1918,the cottage was completed; that evening, shedied. Her legacy of love lives forever through the lives of the many children touched atKennedy Home during the past 100 years.

I am so grateful for the generosity andthoughtfulness of people who have chosen to leavea legacy to Baptist Children’s Homes – a legacythat impacts hurting children yesterday, todayand tomorrow.

I know what I write next will get me into trou-ble with some of my Carolina, State and WakeForest friends, but, I am a Duke fan – and havebeen since childhood.

Recently, I learned Duke University was origi-nally known as Trinity College. The school wasrenamed Duke University in honor of a legacygift made by James Buchanan Duke in 1924.Duke wanted to be a part of changing the lives of thousands of young people through qualityeducation. Like the Kennedys, Duke desired toimpact children all across our state. For manyyears, Baptist Children’s Homes has been the recipient of James Duke’s generosity through financial support from The Duke Endowment.

What if William and Emily Kennedy had notchosen to make a legacy gift? What if J.B. Dukehad determined not to care about the future andeducation of others? Many wonderful childrenand families would have had no place to go forhope and healing. And countless youth wouldhave never realized their potential.

I have a very important question to ask: Didyou know that approximately 70% of all Ameri-cans die without having a well thought out estateplan?

An article in the NY Times dated April 27,2013 caught my attention – “He Left a Fortuneto No One – $40 million estate may default to the State of New York.” As I read this informa-tion, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness.

What about all of the hungry children whocould have been fed?

What about the thousands of homeless familieswho could have been rescued?

What about the thousands of people fightinglife-threatening illnesses who could have beenhealed?

What about all the minds that could have beenchallenged and the countless abused childrenwho could have been rescued? So many livescould have been changed.

Having a will is smart. Here are some impor-tant facts:

With an estate plan, you may share your life’streasures as you desire. Without an estate plan,state law will determine who will receive yourlife’s treasures.

With an estate plan, you will select yourguardian for your minor children. Without an estate plan, a court will appoint a guardian foryour minor children.

With an estate plan, you choose the executorof your estate. Without an estate plan, typically a court will appoint a paid administrator to over-see the distribution of your life’s treasures.

With an estate plan, the Christian KingdomBuilding Ministries you love will be funded.Without an estate plan needs will go unmet.

In the parable of the faithful servant we read, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Your Last Will and

Testament is a lasting expression of your Christian steward-ship. Will you join theKennedys, J.B. Duke and others in being goodstewards of all that God has given you? Will youleave a legacy that will impact hurting childrenacross our state? Will you be a part of BCH’s vision of sharing hope…changing lives?

A special note: Thank you to all who recentlyhelped through gifts of food cards, hundreds ofvolunteer hours to clean up storm debris, and financial support to help us recover from the ice storm at Mills Home in Thomasville. Yourphone calls of concern, prayer and support are a major source of encouragement to the children in care and BCH staff members.

Please note: This information regarding estateplanning is not intended as legal, tax or invest-ment advise. For such advise please contact yourlegal professional.

It is with excited anticipation I approach each day knowing God will send His provisionthrough His people. If I can be of any service,please feel free to call me at 1-800-476-3669,

ext. 1230, or email me [email protected].

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.

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


May 3 – FOC Workday:Kennedy Home in Kinston Odum Home in PembrokeCamp Duncan in Aberdeen

May 6 – Founders Day:Cameron Boys Camp in Cameron

May 10 – FOC Workday:Oak Ranch in Broadway

May 10 – Barbecue Festival:Broyhill Home in Clyde

May 24 – HopeFest:Village Arboretum in Pinehurst

May 31 – FOC Workday:Mills Home in Thomasville

July 5 & 6Kennedy Home CentennialKennedy Home in Kinston

August 1 - 3 Mills Home HomecomingMills Home in Thomasville

August 9 – Hope in Style:Greensboro Country Club in Greensboro(FOC = Friends of Children)

2014 Event Calendar:

CONTACT: Alan Williams at 336.474.1277 or www.bchfamily.org/events

VBSYOUR

CAN HELP BCH!

www.bchkids.org

VBS kids around the state canhelp hurting children. Download

the new video, activity sheetand Mile of Pennies guide at:

Donate your used Lifeway

“Agency D3” VBS resources to

help our Weekday Education

program host its own VBS.

Contact Linda at 336‐474‐1201 to donate.

[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }

Gifts leave love legacythrough the lives of children___________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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

[ 2 0 1 4 S U M M E R A P P E A L }

Name __________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________________ Email ___________________________________________________________________

Credit Card Option: Visa Mastercard Name on card: ____________________________________________________________________________

Card #: ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ Signature: ____________________________________________________

Sunshine sponsor for $5,000.00 Sizzle sponsor for $2,500.00 Splash sponsor for $1,250.00

Super sponsor for $500.00 Sensation sponsor for $250.00 Smiles sponsor for $50.00

$ ______ ____________ Other Amount

Must have Credit Card Expiration Date: ____________Three-digit security code (on card back): ___ ___ ___

Send information on how to prepare a Will. I have included BCH in my estate plans.

Send me BCH’s email newsletter or sign-up by texting BCHFAMILY to 22828

Mail this coupon using the enclosed postage-free envelope, and thank you!

Use my gift to bring children’s summertime smiles!

____________________________________________________________________


Summer break starts later than usual for many of BCH residents – winter weather make-up days havebeen added to the school year. Once their break finally arrives, our children will need the respite summertime offers. That’s where you can help!

Become a summer sponsor and ensure boys, girls and the residents at our developmentallydisabled group homes will be able to make themost of the summer days! Cookouts, games organized by churches, ice cream, and a trip toBCH’s beach cottage for a family vacation withtheir houseparents are just a few opportunities to create life-long memories.

In addition, your investment helps with the extra cost of food, electricityand other expenses that naturally occur as the days grow long and hotter. Your giftprovides a home where children and residents are safe and can experience God’s love.

Thank you for helping to give an opportunity to create summertime memories.

Kimberly, a toddler from Care House, points to the water – or “wa wa”

as she calls it. Last summer, she saw the beach for the first time.

The children are ready forSummer!

in the center on the paper forminga cross. At the base of the cross –the bottom half of the paper – hedraws the same four stick figureswith raised arms. The central figurehas a line drawn to the center ofthe cross. “They’re talking toGod,” R.L. says. “God is talking to each one of them.”

R.L. says he spends time talkingto God. “God can do big stuff. I have a lot of faith.”

Both Ben and R.L. spend theirdays being active. They each keeptheir respective rooms tidy and helpwith chores in the home. The twoagree that the other men living in

the home are their friends and thewomen next door at Lindsay Homeare “our friends, too.”

Ben looks out for his youngerbrother. He takes his role seriouslyhelping R.L. when they are outshopping or going to restaurants.“I talk to R.L. when he is sad. I help him whenever I can. I’m his big brother.”

Three Forks Home has been theperfect place for the two siblings.Their parents lovingly cared forthem for much of their lives, butafter they passed, their sons neededa safe, loving place to call home.

“I know Momma and Daddywould be happy. The food is good

here, it’s warm in the cold snaps,and it’s a good place to live,” Bensays.

R.L. agrees, “It’s great livinghere with Ben.”

(Story continued from page 1.)

Find the Developmental Disabilities Ministry at www.hereismyhome.org____________________________________________________________________


Most people who meet Sandy Perry use the word “joyous” in describing her. Her

intense focus on serving the Lord in conjunctionwith her passion for caring for children and familiesmade her the perfect choice to become BaptistChildren’s Homes’ (BCH) Director of Family Interventions and Training. Recently, we sat downto talk about her new position.Q. What are your responsibilities as the Directorof Family Interventions and Training?A. I am instrumental in the ongoing develop-ment of family work in-terventions andtrainings in relation tothe families we serveacross the state. I work with campus directorsconsulting and assistingthem and their staff inproviding proper family interventions. The position entails me de-signing and deliveringtraining to staff on techniques that are up-to-dateand accurate according to BCH Policies and Pro-cedures, Council on Accreditation Standards, andNorth Carolina State Licensure. I am also re-sponsible for coordinating and participating inCARE Model and TCI statewide trainings. Q. How has your experience prepared you for this new role?A. I began my career with Baptist Children’sHomes right out of graduate school after return-ing to get my education from a 27-year hiatus. I have served as Intake Social Worker, Girls

Emergency Care So-cial Worker, ServiceSupervisor, ProgramManager, Directorof Clinical Services,Interim Area Direc-tor, and RegionalDirector of the East-ern Area. My experi-ence has given me avast knowledge andopportunity to learnthe needs of the

agency fromboth the in-side and out. I love people and have a natural tendency to connect withthem, problem solve and help reducestress in crisis situations. My focus has always been to get people to see them-selves as viable and to help them find a way to work things out. This new posi-tion is a natural extension of what I amqualified to do professionally and enjoydoing personally. I am very excited to

be able to share with BCH’s staff members whointeract with youth and families everyday and tobe a resource to them for support, love and care. Q. How have you lived out your faith throughyour vocation?A. My approach to my career is the same as myapproach to my everyday living. I ask God to di-rect my paths desiring to connect Him to every-thing that I do. What better place (BCH)to fully express the joy of the Lordin my work. It’s important for me

to acknowledge God and share with others thatwith God, all things are possible.Q. In training others, how do you share the importance of serving children and families in light of one’s Christian faith?A. First, I stress how we have the responsibilityto represent God in every way and in everythingwe do – our behavior and relationships, ethics,problem solving. Next, we are to be open to letting His light shine through us as we serve together and work with families. And finally, wemust rely on God’s mercy and grace to accom-plish the work in the lives of those we serve.Q. What one thing is paramount in learning to better serve children and families?A. Patience. Every situation is so different andyet so similar. But it is the complexities that taketime to work through. Patience is important tothe relationships we have with those in our care,

and it is patience that enables us to wait on theLord to bring about hope and healing.

[ FRONT PORCH CONVERSATION }

Perry believes God’smercy and grace key ___________________________________________________________________________________


Sandy Perry works with BCH’s staff members around the state as the Director of Family Interventions and Training. Perry has served in various roles prior to being tapped for this new assignment. Above, she interacts with Mills Home staffers before a training session she’ll lead.

Pictured from left to right, Rusty Bunker, Sandy Perry, Regina Keener, and Andrea Walker.

Sandy Perry

R.L. and his brother Ben live at Three Forks Home inZionville. One of R.L.’s pictures, right, shows people

at the foot of the cross calling out to God.

R.L. and Ben find new home_____________________________________________________________________________________

Kennedy Home in Kinston marks its 100thanniversary in 2014. Current residents,

alumni, staff members, and friends will commem-orate the milestone at the 1,240-acre campus onJuly 5 and 6, 2014.

“The Centennial Celebration is much morethan an event; it is a gathering of people frommultiple generations who call this special placehome,” BCH president/CEO Michael C. Black-well says. “On this first weekend in July, we willcelebrate the lives of boys and girls that were forever changed on this hallowed ground.”

BCH began in 1885 with its first location,Mills Home inThomasville. Expansion intoeastern NorthCarolina camewhen Kinston residents William LafayetteKennedy, a former CivilWar captain andhis wife EmilyHardee Kennedydonated theirfarm and home.

KennedyHome officiallyopened its doorson June 5, 1914,and admitted its first eighteen orphans that summer. The home’s benefactors continued to live on the property until their deaths.

“The Kennedys began a legacy of love that caught fire in the hearts of oth-ers throughout the years,” Blackwellsays. “Churches, donors, founda-tions, and other friends give of theirresources to ensure that KennedyHome is there for the children andfamilies we serve today – just as itwas a century earlier.”

While Kennedy Home began as an orphanage, changing timesshaped the home and BCH’sstatewide network of services into a model that cares for the needs ofchildren and families. BCH is family-focused and strives to work with thechild and family.

“The challenges children were navigating be-came more complex and intertwined with issuesinvolving their entire families,” Blackwell says.“Involving the family has allowed us to expandthe scope of our outreach and impact a greater

variety of needs.”Longtime

BCH staffer Brian Baltzell has recently stepped in as KennedyHome’s new di-rector overseeingthe campus’ arrayof child and family services.Baltzell got his start at KennedyHome in 1990 where he worked four years before transferring to BCH’s Broyhill Home

campus in Clyde. Heserved for 19 years atBroyhill as a case man-ager and Director ofFamily Work before re-turning to his KennedyHome roots late lastyear.

“This campus hassuch a rich history, andit’s exciting to returnin time for this mo-mentous year,” Baltzellsays. “I’m thankful thatafter a century of serv-ice, Kennedy Home re-mains a safe haven forchildren and families.The Centennial week-

end in July is going to be quite a celebration.”The “Centennial Celebration” is a free event

for all ages promising a memorable two days forthose attending. A campus festival on Saturday,

July 5 kicks offthe weekendwith live music,wagon rides,games (cornhole and horse-shoe tourna-ments),children’s in-flatable games,and tours ofthe old farm.Highlights will include theburial of a timecapsule, a his-toric fashion

show featuring period clothing, and a portrayalof Kennedy Home benefactors Capt. and Mrs.William Lafayette Kennedy. The Kennedys, por-trayed by alumni Doris Powers of Kinston andJim Dyer of Wake Forest, will arrive on campus

in a horse-drawnbuggy.The couplewill rideunderneaththe Home’sarchway entranceand come to a rest at CedarDell, the

Kennedy’s residential mansion. The mansion,along with the campus itself, is a part of the National Register of Historic Places.

“Having been a child in care at KennedyHome, it’s an honor to portray Mrs. Kennedy,”Powers says. She lived at the home from 1948 to1959. “I’m eternally grateful for Kennedy Home.I don’t know where I would be without it. It wasmy home, and everything I needed was in placewhen I came to live there.”

On Sunday, July 6, a special worship serviceled by alumni and staff members will be held atthe campus church. BCH president Blackwell will be the featured speaker.

“Kennedy Home is affectionately known asBCH’s ‘Star of the East’ and that is very appro-priate,” Blackwell explains. “Kennedy Home’s future is glowing ever brighter. This campuswhich has impacted the lives of so many childrenthroughout the past 100 years will carry thissame mission into the next century. KennedyHome is here to stay.”

[ KENNEDY HOME MARKS 100 YEARS }

Kennedy Home plansCentennial Celebration__________________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

Register for Kennedy Home’s Centennial – www.bchfamily.org/kennedy100____________________________________________________________________


Kennedy Home residents from the 1972 high school graduationclass stand under the campus’ familiar archway entrance.

The Kennedy’s historic Cedar Dell, which has beenrenovated, is still the centerpiece of the campus.

_____________

Give to the Ice Storm Disaster Recovery Fund at www.bchfamily.org/givenow

Community friends including businesses,churches and individuals have rallied to help

Mills Home recover from a destructive ice storm. The storm that struck Baptist Children’s Homes’

(BCH) oldest campus in Thomasville on Friday,March 7 left thousands of dollars in damage andchildren’s cottages without power for four days.People have responded quickly to aid BCH and the children and families it serves.

“The community response has been beyond im-pressive,” BCH president Michael C. Blackwell says.“The help began as soon as people became aware ofthe damage.”

Phone calls have inundated the campus offices.Volunteer groups organized by churches began the process of removing the falling limbs and trees.Blackwell says people have literally walked in off

the street to make donations.

“It’s humblingwhen someone you’venever met comesthrough your frontdoor and hands you acheck,” Blackwell says.

Food Lion, the gro-cery store chain head-

quartered in Salisbury, has long supported BCH.Chris McDonald, the store manager of Food Lion’sCloniger Drive location in Thomasville presentedBCH with $3,000 in gift cards. Mills Home staffwill use the Food Lion shopping cards to replacethe perishable food lost during the four-day poweroutage.

“Being able to help the boys and girls this way makes me proud to work for Food Lion,” McDonald says.

“Both of Food Lion’sThomasville stores experiencedtheir own food loss when theirpower went out,” Blackwell ex-plains. “Their generosity at thistime speaks volumes about whothey are as an organization.”

Volunteers from churches arebringing tractors, trucks and chain-saws to tackle the clean-up. The icebrought down a number of limbsand uprooted entire trees, but vol-unteers, like seventeen-year-old James Campbell,are clearing away the debris. Campbell and a NorthCarolina Baptist Men’s group from WoodlawnBaptist Church in Wake Forest worked several days.

“I let my teachers know that I wanted to help,and they let me out of school,” Campbell says. “Ithink it’s awesome that we were able to come to the

Children’s Homes. I hope when the children see us helping it will make a difference in their lives.”

The financial cost to recover from the stormdamage is still being assessed. Those totals are expected to reach into the thousands.

“People may not know that we own the powergrid at Mills Home. It is not maintained by thecity,” Blackwell says. “The repair work to the damaged poles and power lines is something we’ll have to pay for ourselves.”

There is still a great deal of clean-up and repairsto be done. Blackwellsays the combined ef-forts are indeed makinga big difference, and thatgives him hope that theresponse of the community will re-main strong.

“We’re so grateful forthose who have rallied tomeet the needs of theboys and girls,” he says.“It’s a tremendous com-

fort to both me and the children to know that wecan continue to count on the generosity of others as we go forward.”

BCH has set up an “Ice Storm Disaster Recov-ery” fund at www.bchfamily.org/givenow. Anyonewishing to help can contact BCH at 336.474.1209.

[ ICE STORM UPDATE }

Community rallies to Mills Home’s aid –Volunteers tackle costly ice storm damage_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By J. Blake Ragsdale, Managing Editor

Above, BCH trustee Eric Vernon, left, and volunteers from First Baptist Church in Sanford were one of the first groups torespond. Left, youth and adults from Grace Baptist in Marion assisted with clean-up and also provided residents with pizzaand an afternoon of skating. Below, Food Lion’s Chris McDonald presents BCH’s Blake Ragsdale with $3,000 in gift cards.

____________________________________________________________________


F olks were not surprised to learnthat Paul “Pee Wee” Justice was

one of the feisty WWII veterans inWashington D.C. last fall when thebarrier around the monument me-morializing the Marines who foughtin Iwo Jima was removed. We won’tsay he removed the barrier, but he leda prayer right in the front of the me-morial that roused the surroundinggroup to a revival spirit with shoutsand prayers abounding. When he andothers returned to Centralia, Wash-ington, they were welcomed by a huge group – it was a joyous wel-come and such a contrast to whatthey received when they returnedfrom from the war in the 1940s.

Homecoming weekend 2014 – August 1, 2, 3 – will have a countryand western theme, so you and yourpardner better show up. Wear yourwestern duds if you have them. Oth-erwise, just plan to have fun. Barn-storming brains have already put a great Homecoming plan togetherand you’ll read all about it in yourJune Homecoming letter from Presi-dent Pete Knight.

Rick Smoot is announcing a cov-ered dish picnic on May 24, at theMH picnic shelter from 12:00 until4:00. He will be there by 11:30 towelcome you. Contact Rick at 336-885-0974 or [email protected].

Our hearts go out to Jean andCarol Murphree who lost theirmother Marie on March 18.Marie,with her late husband Rev.Marvin Murphree served a number ofyears at Mills Home circa 1860s.Until her husband’s retirement, shewas a devoted and very active minis-ter’s wife at churches in both NorthCarolina and South Carolina. Morerecently, she lived in Winston-Salem,where she was an active member ofCollege Park Baptist Church.

Through the efforts of Evelyn Ko-rnegay Dawson, Virginia Williams,and Jack Ledbetter, we learned thatJoe Cunningham died of a stroke inDecember 2013. Joe came to MH in1940 and graduated in 1952. He wasactive on campus in many things including football. Always a friendly

fellow, Joe always seemed to attendHomecoming and continued hisfriendly ways, notepad in hand, aftercancer for those with less bargainingpower than others, and he had a pas-sion for helping those he had compas-sion for. I spent a lot of time with Joeat MH and in later years. At five yearsof age, 1942, I was transferred toSimmons Cottage from MilesDurham. Two of us 30 Simmonsboys (5 & 6 years old) were assignedto work in the Simmons kitchen withtwo “big” boys (10 and 11 years ofage) from another cottage. That waswhen I met Joe Cunningham. Hetaught me to make cornbread andhomemade mayonnaise – and how toroast fresh ears of corn in a woodstove oven. In 1949-50, Joe’s dutywas running the press that printedCharity & Children. It was then Joetaught a 13-year-old apprentice to behis replacement. Yes, that apprenticewas me and printing C&C each weekbecame my privilege later.

“Joe graduated from MH in 1952and served in the army during theKorean war. He worked in the print-ing industry until his late 70s. Hewould have been 82 on Feb. 2, 2014.He left behind a loving wife of 58years – Josie and two daughters.Weall loved Joe. Because he and I havelived in Charlotte since 1962, I havebeen fortunate to remain in touchwith him. And I was fortunate also toknow Josie, Gail and Diana.” Sendcondolences to Joe’s family: JosieCunningham, 4023 Firethorne Rd.,Charlotte, NC 28205.

A cheerful note from Lynn GanttDrennen says, “I’ve moved on withlife and will soon close on a house ina neighboring town. I just returnedfrom a bike (motorcycle) trip with myfriend Van to visit two girlfriends justsoutheast of Mojave, California. Wehad a great visit. We also are planningto join the ‘Carry the Flame’ motor-cycle trip leaving California on May10th and arriving in Washington,D.C. for Memorial weekend. The tripto the Capitol is to remind people toremember veterans and those whogave their lives for our country.

“At the end of the trip on the east

coast, Van and I plan to meanderdown through the states and visitboth our friends and families on ourway back to California. Van is a re-tired Marine whom I met shortly fol-lowing Bill’s death. We’ve becomefast friends and are enjoying our tripstogether. I’m beginning to laughagain and it feels good. I hope to seeboth Sherl and Brenda along with mybrother Max while back in South Car-olina. I hope we can call an orphan gettogether so that I can introduce Vanto the group I grew up with or got toknow via our Facebook and Yahoogroups. Hopefully, we’ll enjoy a greattrip and take about a month in all todo the loop back to California.”

Sharon DeHart Stiles, AlumniCouncil member wrote, “Beforecoming to Mills Home, I lived withmy father in High Point as well asseveral foster homes. I entered MillsHome in 1962 with my older sisterTancey and my two younger brothersJohnny and Steve. I felt good aboutgoing to Mills Home because I knewthat I would receive good care andfood to eat. We went to MitchellCottage together for the first year andthen they moved us to separate cot-tages. I will never forget Ms. Easley.She was a wonderful housemotherand was very good to us. During mystay at Mills Home, I was also in theLittle, Biggs, WC, and the Huffmancottage. I was very active in the MillsHome tour choir. I really enjoyedgoing to Baptist churches throughout North Carolina. One specialthing that I really enjoyed doing as a part of the choir was partneringwith Tancey to do motions to thesongs that the choir sang. I always feltlike an angel when we did this be-cause we had beautiful white gownsto wear. And I loved working withMr. and Mrs. Little – our choir direc-tors. They both taught me a greatdeal about music and how music canbless your soul.

“Today I attribute a lot of my career success to Fanny Miller, ourMH nurse. When I worked in the in-firmary with her, she nurtured thelove I already had for helping othersby teaching me how to take care of

sick children. In short, she helpedturn a keen interest into a strong pas-sion. I can remember one time that a lot of us got food poisoning fromthe turkey at school and the infirmarywas full of sick children. I was sickmyself, but I still had to help othersick kids because I had the infirmaryduty.

“My favorite cottage at MillsHome was the WC because that iswhere I met my husband Parks. Myhouseparents were from Gastonia andtheir daughter Debbie was dating a guy named Mike. I will never forgetmeeting Parks for the first time whenhe brought Mike to see Debbie. I re-ally did not even like him, but Debbiekept telling me how crazy Parks wasabout me and Mike was telling Parksthe same thing about me. So we bothdecided to date each other and therest of the story is history. We weremarried in the Mills Home church byRev. Lambert in 1969. We have twowonderful sons and daughters-in-lawsand six grandchildren. We have beenblessed through out the years and wegive God the praise for our life together. I started out my professionas a nursing assistant in a nursinghome in 1975. I returned to collegeand got a degree in Applied SocialScience. I started working as a Licensed Nursing Home Adminis-trator in 1981 and I am in my 7thyear working with Brookdale SeniorLiving as Sterling House Shelby’s executive director. I was given a special “Hero” award in 2011 (one ofonly 5 in the United States) by theALFA for extraordinary commitmentto “Quality of Life for Seniors.”There is no doubt that I would not be where I am today if it had not been for Mills Home. I will always be thankful for what they didfor me.”

Internet buffs can find a videoabout Sharon by typing in her nameand the “Hero Award.”

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

[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Former staff remembered, boys learn craftin print shop, and alum honored as “hero”_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Lib Smathers Johnson, 5612 Bledsoe Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 299-7412 [email protected]

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


____________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________Guatemala Orphanage

“The Tie that Binds” fundraising campaign to help establish BCH’s new orphanage inGuatemala is a great success. BCH, NC Bap-tist Men, and WMU NC teamed up to bringawareness to the project by asking NC Bap-tists to donate their gently-worn neckties.Hundreds of ties were donated at the NCBaptist Missions Conference in March.

BCH then displayed the ties at the WMUMissions Extravaganza in April where Bap-tists received a tie of their choice for a smalldonation to the Good Shepherd Children’sHome opening soon in Xela, Guatemala.BCH needs $95,000 in start-up funds. Learnmore at www.bchfamily.org/guatemala.___________________________________________Care House

Care House child care workers Gloria Roseand Gina Yount, left, accepted a check fromAnn and Mark Tiller, owners of Di’lishi FrozenYogurt Bar in Lenoir. Every quarter, Di’lishiputs three nonprofits on their “communitygive back” wall. When customers purchase a frozen treat they drop a plastic spoon intoa box coinciding with the charity on the wallthey wish to support. Care House receivedthe most spoons and was awarded $500.

___________________________________________Odum Home

Ina Page and Rosa Britt celebrate the firstday of spring by delivering gifts and neededitems to the residents at Odum Home inPembroke. The items were collected by theadult Sunday school class from BaltimoreBaptist Church in Fairmont who are long-time supporters.___________________________________________Mills Home Volunteers

Volunteers from Mount Pisgah Baptist nearWilkesboro and Grassy Knob Baptist inUnion Grove (above) assisted with the manytree limbs at Mills Home that fell during theice storm.

Tommy Evans (above left), a member ofRich Fork Baptist in Thomasville, helps BCHmaintenance supervisor Don Ramsey (aboveright) removed one of the larger trees.

___________________________________________NCBAM

On March 25, NCBAM hosted the first ENCORE event for minister 65 and older.The theme for the day was “Faith Quest”and was held at the Hawthorne Inn in Winston-Salem. ___________________________________________Oak Ranch

Celina, a resident at Oak Ranch in Broadway,brought home two second and one thirdplace ribbons from the Johnston CountyHorse Show Series in Smithfield. Celina rodeChrome Jac Freckles, Oak Ranch’s 11-year-old quarter horse gelding.___________________________________________Awards Banquet

Every year, BCH’s western area locationshold an awards banquet to recognize residents’ outstanding achievements. Above,Broyhill Home resident Kimberly receivesher award from Vicki Buckner, BroyhillHome Director of Family Work. Below,Roberta Walker, a resident of Alverta Bolick

Home in Asheville, is recognized by StefanieEffler, administrator of the home to devel-opmentally disabled adult men.

[ 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).

You can meet the daily needs ofBCH’s boys and girls by sharingyour time, talents and resources.You can help in these ways:___________________________________

Friends of Children Workdays:The perfect one-day missions out-reach. Projects for all ages! StatewideBCH workdays available throughoutMay and September.Call 336-474-1209.

Food Roundup: It’s not too late tohelp for 2014! Your church, businessor organization can provide the foodboys and girls in care need.Call 336-474-1277 and visitwww.bchfamily.org/foodroundup

Bed Sponsor Program: Become a bed sponsor and have a plaque withyour name mounted on a child’s bed.Your name reminds a child that youare praying. Call 336-474-1277 orwww.bchfamily.org/bedsponsor.

Mile of Pennies: Help by collecting a “Mile of Pennies.” When it comes toproviding care for hundreds of chil-dren, it takes everyone working to-gether – one penny added to anotherpenny and then another penny. Con-tinue to multiply the pennies and justimagine how far you can go in makinga real difference! Call 336-474-1209.

Walk for Change: Perfect for yourchurch or community organization –walkers recruit financial sponsors togive a cash gift for walking a certaindistance. Set your goal, secure yoursponsors, designate a safe route, and have fun! Call 336-474-1209.

Recycle Projects: Collect emptyprinter cartridges (laser, inkjet andfax cartridges). Deliver items to anyBCH facility or use prepaid shippinglabels to send items to recycler. Mil-lions of cartridges are thrown awayeach year. Begin collecting and helpthis year-round program earn moneyfor children. You can recycle cellphones, too. Call 336-474-1209.

Bike for Change: Bike for Change is a fun and dynamic way for childrento help "change" the lives of children.By pedaling bicycles, children raisesupport and awareness for BCH’sboys and girls. It is a great serviceproject for schools, churches, andother children’s groups. It alsoteaches children the importance ofparticipating in missions outreach. Tolearn more, visit www.bikeforchange.org. Download a planningguide and other resources. ContactBike for Change coordinator JayWestmoreland at [email protected] for more ideas.

Get Involved

Discover ways you can help BCH at www.bchfamily.org/getinvolved

www.bchfamily.org/getinvolved

Many of you helped me presentsome great Easter presenta-

tions while I was your music directorat Kennedy Home. I hope many ofmy piano students(62) are playing forchurches and that many more of youare singing in church choirs.

Don’t forget KH’s 100th Anniver-sary Events during HomecomingJuly 5-6. We will not be having Sun-day school so we can have a muchlonger worship service preceded by aspecial singing group – Second Edi-tion – which features alum KeithWilliams. Music begins between10:00-10:30 a.m.

A word from Judy Poteat, formerKH office professional for manyyears. “Thanks to Teresa Mills Reinartand Betty Beacham for sharingChristmas memories in the Marchcolumn. Their recollections broughtremembrances to me. Food at KHwas not only special and delicious atChristmas time, it was all year round.Traveling by the cottages at mealtime you would experience the mar-velous aromas coming from thekitchens like fried chicken, biscuitsbaking and other appetizing smells.

“I envied those people inside sit-ting down to such a bountiful feast.The cottages utilized the enormousvegetable garden, enjoying fresh veg-etables in the summer and cannedand frozen ones picked and preservedby the children and staff in the wintermonths.

“Today, I continue to cook Mrs.Alma Hubert’s strawberry shortcake –the one she used as the base for allthe luscious strawberries picked bythe kids and staff and served withwhipped cream. I have preparedBetty Beacham’s eggplant casserolethat taste like pizza many times andcontinue to cook Mrs. Zaley Sander’schicken pot pie. All who worked inthe Administration Building remem-ber Mrs. Dolly Bradshaw’s amazingbiscuits. She would make special bis-cuits – I can’t recall what she calledthem – for the Biggs girls’ afterschool snack and would send extraover to the office for us to enjoy.How could any of us forget Mrs.Helen “Twiggy” Hardison and the

wonderful meals she preparedthrough the years – especially her seafoam candy and yummy collards? Myfamily enjoyed being invited toBunker Cottage when Mrs. Pat Mc-Cormick and the youth made home-made donuts from canned biscuitsand rolled in powered sugar. That,along with a glass of milk – what atreat!

“Teresa was right on target aboutRose Nichols. She made Biggs Cot-tage a showplace. Not only did Rosecare about the appearance of the cot-tage, but the girls in that cottagewere always lovely – dressed so welland appropriately. She helped thegirls take pride in their appearance.All the KH Cottages were buildingsto be proud of – always clean, wel-coming and made it feel like being athome.

“There seemed to be competition(in a good way) as to who’s cottagelooked the best. The cottages didtheir own landscaping (except mow-ing the grass) and had flowers plantedin the yard and rocking chairs andswings on the porches.

“With my family living on thecampus, our children were a part ofthe cottages’ lives. Our son, Mitch,played at Bunker so much, he wascalled a “Bunker Boy.” When Mitchwas around the age of six or seven,Mr. Mac McCormick one day in teas-ing him, said, “You stay over here somuch, you may as well go and packyour bag and move in.” Mitch takingthis statement literally came home todo so. I said to him; “If you move toBunker, when will I see you?” Hereplied, “I’ll meet you at the swingssometime.”

My family continues to have manyfond memories of a special and won-derful place in KH’s history and isthankful to have been a part of it forforty-one years.”

Being a staff child was very hardfor some, and others just simply fellright into place with all the rest of usyoungins. I’ll always remember thatRev. Rodney Beals told me that whenBecky and I came to move in.

It seemed some came just to try itout, not us. We always felt a part ofthe KH family and still do. I really ap-

preciate all the e-mails and Facebooknotes I get. It makes me feel so goodand warm inside. I received a greatletter from a staff child, Debbie Mc-Cormick who married a KH youngin,Gary Caudle. Everybody loves Deb-bie and Gary. She sat down the otherday and wrote six pages for me. I’mglad she told me I could split themup because that is what I have to do.

Debbie begins by talking abouther parents, “My mother Pat Mc-Cormick had cervical cancer my jun-ior and senior year of high school.While she was fighting for her life, mydad Lenwood “Mac” McCormickwould pray for God to spare her life.My dad’s prayers would always in-clude ‘to use them for the glory ofHis name and to minister to otherpeople.’ Well, you know the Lord isa powerful God and He answered mydad’s prayers. When mother got bet-ter, her never forgot his promise tothe Lord and he would always tellpeople that the Lord sent them toKH. So in 1972, KH became ournew home. We moved into BunkerCottage and my parents had tall bootsto fill due coming in behind theJones who were leaving KH to pur-sue a different ministry for the Lord.As my dad was 6ft. 7 inches, he couldfill those tall boots! My parents lovedthe kids – yes, even those aggravat-ing, run-away kids!

“Why would kids run away espe-cially in the winter when it was cold?The kids never knew the effect thatthey had on the houseparents whenthey ran away. We had devotionsevery night. We were all together inthe smallest room of the cottage,with a couch and of course Dad’s fa-vorite chair which you knew not to sitin. If you were slow you would be sit-ting on the floor, some with legs inthe hall, put their faces in the door al-ways focusing on the person doingthe devotion. We also had specialprayers those nights when somebodyran away.

“Mornings were very busy six daysa week. All beds were made by theperson who slept in them. Every per-son had a chore – toilets, trash, sinks,sweeping, moping, buffing thoselong halls, laundry (according toroom assignments), and kitchen du-

ties. Bunker Cottage could easily passany military or hospital inspection.

“When we went to live at KH, wehad individual tables that would sitfour-six people. Dad told variouschurch and civic groups when he wasthe guest speaker that he wished hehad one large table that would sit 16people. Again, when you ask theLord, He will answer. Some groupmade it for us. Dad was very happy.The table was so large that it had tosit crooked in the dining room, butwe were all sitting together as a familyand that was important to my Dad.

Day loved to play baseball with thekids and he also enjoyed practicaljokes. I will not go into all of those,but the kids remember many of themI’m sure. Every July 4th. was Home-coming for the alumni at KH. But,what I remember most was duringthat first week of July we put up corn.We would sit under the big cedar treein the front yard for hours shuckingand silking corn. We all hated andfussed about this duty in the heatunder that old Cedar tree. I remem-ber someone talking about cuttingthe tree down so we couldn’t do itagain, but somebody else remindedthem that this task would still becompleted and at least the cedar treegave us shade. Today, I miss thatcedar tree and the good times we hadwith the people who became ourfamily and who holds a special placein our hearts.”

Thanks, Debbie. I will continuesome of your letter another time. I will always remember you andGary. I love you very much. – J.T.

Editor’s Note: as part of the cele-bration for Kennedy Home’s 100thanniversary, a special writing contestis being held. Alumni are being invited to share how there life hasbeen changed because of KennedyHome. Share in 250 words or lesshow your experience at BCH’s “star in the east” shaped your life. See more information on page 7.

Deadline is June 16.

[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }

Kennedy Home Centennial set for July 5&6 –Remembrances of warm times warm hearts _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By John Thompson, 2500 Simpson Street, Apt. 102, Windsor Place, Jacksonville, N.C. 28546 (252)671-3515 [email protected]

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

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

____________________________________________________________________


More Homeword at www.bchfamily.org/news/stories

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.252.230.5709

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

Four times, and eachtime I have sat in the

right-side passenger seat,seat buckle fastened, feet firmlyplanted on the floorboard as each oneof my children have sat behind the wheel, turnedthe ignition, put the auto in gear, and begun theirdriving lessons. Over the next few months, we willhave driven in large parking lots practicing startsand stops and parallel parking. Along streets andthe interstate, we will have practiced merging intotraffic, learning how to maneuver four-way stops,and mastering traffic lights.

Each child will acquire the skills needed to become licensed drivers. And each one will havetheir trials and challenges on the way to becominggood drivers.

How much pressure to apply to the brakes,backing the car up using the rearview and side mir-rors, managing to maintain speeds, and parking –all kinds of parking – were some of the lessons thattook more effort.

Daughter Jenny says that driving did not comenaturally. “I did everything too much. I hit thebrakes too hard, started stopping too soon, pressedthe gas pedal down too far, turned the steeringwheel too much.”

Jenny blogs with me at www.jimedminson.com.She is a talented writer and has great insight. In a recent entry entitled “Where Are You Looking –Part 1,” Jenny writes about the struggles of learn-ing to drive.

I remember her struggles, but I also remembershe eventually excelled. But there was one thingthat was more troublesome than others – handlingdriving in and out of curves.

Jenny remembers, “I was very preoccupied withlooking right in front of the car.”

Determined to learn how to handle curves, she insisted we practice. I talked her through the process as we approached every curve. I instructed her when to slow the car as she

drove into the curveand when to begin accelerating as she drove out of the curve.

She writes that I told her “the thing about driv-ing is that you can’t look just in front of you, youhave to keep your focus ahead of you.”

As we drove into the next curve, I told herwhere she needed to focus; as her gaze began tomove out in front of her, she learned how to man-age the curve. She learned to keep her eyes lookingforward.

In Part III of her blog, Jenny writes how keep-ing one’s focus on Jesus is the key to successfullyliving. She reminds us that scripture “tells us tokeep our point of focus, our whole attention, onHim. In doing so we will receive the riches of His love and His kingdom.”

She sites the cherished hymn “Turn Your EyesUpon Jesus” written by Helen H. Lemmel in1922: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus/Look full inHis wonderful face,/And the things of earth willgrow strangely dim,/In the light of His glory andgrace.” This focus is crucial to the Christian’s life.

Jenny receives her Masters in Social Work inonly a few short weeks. She has been a student for 19 years. Now she is looking for her first job as a social worker. She is hoping to rent a nicerapartment and trade in her hand-me-down usedcar for one of her own choosing.

Facing this exciting time and all the change thatgoes with it can be stressful, and there are timeswhen she is stressed. But she’s maneuvering thesenew roads with the same focus she has learned toemploy through all of her years: her eyes remainfixed on Jesus who goes ever before her.

[ H O M E W O R D }

Behind the wheel_____________________________________


Edminson is editor of Charity & Children andwrites “Homeword” to in-spire and encourage familiesin the midst of full lives andhectic schedules. He has

recently published his first book Under OneRoof. Email him at [email protected] or call 1.800.476.3669, ext. 1217 for information on how you can get your copy of Under One Roof: Life’s lessonslearned at home. Proceeds from this first edition benefit the children and families served by BCH.REVIEW: The book is wonderful. I laughed, I cried, I remembered my ownfamily times. All this, and your story, reminds us of our life journey andhow God is at work through our everyday experiences. – Carolyn Hill

National Baptistcommunicator’s group awards BCHstaff members__________________________________________________

The Baptist Communicators Association(BCA) recognized two Baptist Children’sHomes staff members with three awards dur-ing the 50th Annual Wilmer C. Fields AwardsCompetition held at Ridgecrest on April 11.

NCBAM’s administrative and communica-tions manager Carol Layton was awarded a first place for promotional and advertisingcopy. Layton entered the copy she wrote forNCBAM’s “Ounce of Prevention” direct mail brochure. The brochure highlights theaging adult ministry’s Priority #1: Preventionprogram.

Charity & Children editor Jim Edminsonreceived two awards – each commending hisUnder One Roof book published last year.Edminson earned a first place in book writingand was awarded second place for the book’sdesign. Under One Roof is a compilationof 84 of his “Homeword” articles that haveappeared over the past 20 years.

BCA marked its 60th anniversary and iscomprised of a nationwide membership ofmore than 300. Members mostly come fromSouthern Baptist national and state agencies,Baptist newspapers, and Baptist universities.

Documents

Him to everything that I do.” – Sandy Perry Charity …Charity&Children And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s