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“Thrill of the Grill” Charity Campaign Demonstrates Inspiration, Commitment of Donor

November 7^th, 2009 was an important visit for PDDGM Chuck Coats, of Granite Masonic Lodge No. 191.  With a visit to the Home and a small group of friends, Brother Chuck was shown The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford in a very different and profound way.  This trip included a tour of some of the homes, conducted by staff and an informal meeting with the some of the residents of the Home.  From this single event, and the Home’s need for a new, large cooker on campus, came the idea to have a fundraiser, generating donations for the purchase of a two (2) new cookers.  With this need, the Home and visiting donors, could prepare enough meals during the summer and fall, to feed the residents of the Home.  With an identified need and the heart and time of a committed donor the “Thrill of the Grill” fundraising campaign began.

 With a new found cause at MHCO, Brother Chuck and his friend Virgil Yansom started the “Thrill for the Grill” Charity Drive.  Their goal – to raise $5,000 to purchase two (2) new cookers for MHCO and to celebrate their achievement with a huge cookout, inviting all that donated to the Home, to share the meal with the children.  In Chuck’s own words he explains the importance of his visit and his charity for the Home.  “We wonder why our membership is declining. We wonder why a few in each lodge seem to carry the majority of the load. We ask ourselvelves, "What's the answer?" My friends and brothers, I believe this could be the answer! Visit the Masonic Home for Children. Take a brother, a friend, a non-mason. Take a tour with (the staff) and one or two of the children.  . . . It doesn't matter if it’s just one or one hundred. See and show others what good we are doing. 

 The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford recognizes Brother Chuck Coats and his friends and donors as people who are working to make a difference here at the Home.  You can find out more by clicking on the flyer.  In the spirit of charity, we once again thank Brother Chuck Coats and those who have joined him in giving to the cause at the Home.  We look forward to celebrating this gift and the work of Brother Coats in March 2010.

CLICK THE FLYER TO FIND OUT MORE!!!

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MHCO Calendar 2010 Highlights Historic Moments

The 2010 Masonic Home for Children Annual Calendar has become one of the most popular calendars in recent years.  Over 2,000 donation responses have come as a result of this year’s calendar through January 1, 2010.

Recent comments have centered around the interesting, historic facts and figures and little-known moments through MHCO’s rich past.  Just a few of the notes receive included statements like “I love the information in this year’s calendar – wonderful job!”, “Best calendar yet – outstanding job”, and “Thanks for sharing the history of this great Home – I look forward to learning more and viewing it all year long”.  For your copy and to obtain a calendar please email the Home at tgilreath@mhc-oxford.org, providing your name and mailing address or call 1-888-505-4357.  Thanks for supporting this year’s MHCO Annual Solicitation Calendar.

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Orphans Lodge Celebrates Anniversary, 2010 Meeting Dates Announced

The affiliate lodge of The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Orphans Lodge No. 761, will celebrate its 5^th Anniversary as a chartered Lodge of The Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 2010.  Newly installed Master Larry Holloman invites all Master Masons to come and visit the Lodge and our Masonic Home for Children by attending a stated communication in the coming year.  Meetings are held at 10:00 am on the campus of MHCO at the Masonic Center, unless otherwise noted.  To learn more about the Lodge or how to become an affiliate member visit the Orphans Lodge No. 761 website at www.mastermason.com/orphans-nc-ud-761.

2010 ORPHANS LODGE MEETING DATES

-  March 13, 2010                

-  June 26, 2010 (St. John’s Day – *Starts at 8:30am) 

-  October 9, 2010 (Homecoming)      

-  December 11, 2010 (Election & Installation)

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Conservation Efforts Aid Environment, Teach Kids of MHCO

Program Expands with Volunteer, Donor Assistance, Helping the Campus and Teaching the Children

What started as a small receptacle for soda cans in a cottage is now a campus-wide effort to help the environment at The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and our resources for future generations.  The residents of the Home are now actively involved in MHCO’s expanded recycling and conservation program.  The idea of an “environmentally friendly campus” has enlisted the services of staff, corporate donors, and residents as the program has grown from very humble beginnings.  Initiated by a child care worker in 2007, the program is now under the direction of Williams Memorial Cottage childcare worker Brian James.  Using his own vehicle while searching the internet and investigating opportunities around the region, Mr. James has developed an important and well-received program, which has involved children and adults alike.

Mr. James took the idea of collecting paper products for recycling and has expanded it to metals, plastics, and liquids, making collections on campus up to two times a week.  With this expansion came the need for more receptacles to place recyclable goods.  Through the generosity of Waste Industries of Granville County, a number of receptacles were donated in early 2009.  These units are labeled for “recyclables only” and can be found throughout campus, at public locations, and in each home.  With the growth of the MHCO “Green Team” conservation program has come the need for more “hands on” assistance, as Mr. James serves as the primary volunteer, giving of his own time and money to facilitate the program.  MHCO is searching for additional funds and grants to supplement the program and continue its good work in 2010 and beyond.  “Not only is it good for the environment and demonstrates our Home’s social and communal responsibility, it is a great teaching lesson for our kids”, states James, who has up to three residents volunteer per week who directly assist in collecting recyclables, as well as those who work for the program through Kids Earn.  “The kids love it, our staff has begun participating in their homes and offices, and it sends a message to our donors, our families, and our community that we care about the future, for our kids and our environment”, states Mr. James.  “We hope to secure some funding so that this component of our campus can have a budget and we are always looking for grants and collaborations that recognize efforts in conservation”.  The campus has briefly looked in other areas such as water conservation and clean-up, beautification, energy saving programs, and alternative power for the future, which would benefit the Home in cost savings and expenditures.  “The program continues to be a win-win and our children appreciate the fact that we are providing this service and getting them involved.  It has so many benefits for our Home, our environment, and our kids”, states James.  For more information or to provide information about donations, grants, additional funding, or other conservation and recycling programs possible for MHCO call 1-919-603-3901.

Brian James (pictured), who is also the child care worker of Williams Memorial Cottage, takes his own time and works with the residents of the Home every Monday and Thursday making a pickup of recyclables collected around the campus of MHCO.  This pickup is just a part of the conservation program now at MHCO that as enlisted the help of staff and residents while helping to make MHCO and its family of children aware of the importance of helping our environment.

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HOME AGAIN EXEMPLIFIES COMMITMENT TO HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS

OXFORD, NC – The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO) has once again been accredited by the nationally recognized Council on Accreditation (COA) for maintaining high performance standards in the care of children.  This reaccredidation is part of COA’s process to identify those organizations committed to the highest level of standards and quality improvement.  COA’s review process recognizes human service organizations, including residential children’s homes like MHCO, which set high performance standards for themselves and make a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services.  COA is proud to recognize The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc. as one of these outstanding providers.

The reaccredidation process is conducted over the span of one year and includes a pre-assessment screening, an entire organizational overview, a site visit by objective and reliable experts from the human services and child welfare field chosen from other agencies throughout the country, and a composite review and evaluation of input from all phases of the process by an independent commission.  A detailed review and analysis of both an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery practices takes place to determine its ability to provide for its clients.  All aspects of the operations are measured against national standards of best practice.  These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, COA confirms that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. 

With accreditation by COA, this is further evidence that The Masonic Home for Children continues its history of quality care for children, proving its ability to meet the needs of today’s children and families while exceeding those requirements that define the national standards for residential child care.  MHCO Administrator Allen Hughes commented, “From its beginning, our Home has sought to provide quality care for children in need and has done so without being a burden on the taxpayers. We owe it to all our donors and the children we support to be good stewards and maximize the value of the gifts we receive. National accreditation helps provide confidence that MHCO complies with best practices in business and child care while delivering quality service. We thank all our donors and the community leaders who have expressed their confidence in our Home and the programs we provide.”

The review and reaccredidation of MHCO in its entirety means that the organization as a whole, and not just specific programs, were judged to meet or exceed the national standards of acceptable practices in child care.  With this national recognition, MHCO can provide with confidence to its children and their families, as well as those that donate money and support for the Home, a program with credibility and integrity in its ability to care for children.  MHCO, formerly known as Oxford Orphanage, will celebrate the start of its one hundred and thirty-eighth year of child care in February 2010, serving as North Carolina’s oldest home for children.

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