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Spring and Summer Needs List

COMING SOON!

Thanks to all who donated with in-Kind gifts during the winter months and for Easter!  Your gifts made a difference in so many ways!

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Charity Shared with the Children at Christmas

As it has been since the brethren of Orr Lodge No. 104 brought Christmas presents to the children over 75 years ago, that donors have brought gifts to MHCO and with them a humbling reminder of the real meaning of the season – the gift of giving.

Some brought presents, others items of need.  Gifts were big and small, wrapped and unwrapped.  There were gift cards, which can be used throughout the year and one-of-a kind unique gifts, like a trip to the mall, a Hurricanes Hockey Game and Dinner at Golden Corral.  Many planned parties, while some participated in our annual Christmas Dinner and Gift Opening. 

But for all – it was the most wonderful time of year for some very different reasons.  For our donors it was a gift contributed in a way far greater than a simple present - it contributed to the life and memory of a child at Christmas.

Join us in recognizing these special friends who contributed to our Home and the lives of our children during Christmas 2009. 

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Attorneys and Staff Celebrate the Joy of the Season

On December 10, Martin & Jones attorneys and staff once again had the privilege of sharing an early Christmas celebration with some very special children at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford.  Allison Rogers, claims adjuster for the workers’ compensation practice area, has organized this gift-giving event on behalf of Martin & Jones for a decade.

“I'm not sure what to say,” Allison said, “except this is what Christmas is about, making kids happy and giving without reserve.  It's all from the heart.”

Chris Richardson, Director of Financial Development for the Masonic Home, honored Allison and Martin & Jones for ten years of support with a plaque recognizing the firm as a “Super Santa.”  The plaque reads, “Proudly given from the family at MHCO, with all the love and joy of Christmas.”

 The plaque was presented just before sharing a traditional Christmas meal with all the residents of Masonic Home and all the other donors. After dinner, the staff of Martin & Jones enjoyed watching six girls and four boys gleefully open presents.

“This is like Christmas morning to me,” explained Allison.  “Kids are tearing open gifts and running around showing their friends what they got.  It is just the best!"

Chris described the night as “one of the most wonderful evenings on our campus all year.  For these three hours, which pass so quickly, it is an excitement-filled, paper ripping, dessert-eating frenzy, centered around our kids and you, our friends and donors.”

Fifteen-year-old Jordan may have best expressed the emotion of the evening.  He said, “This was my best Christmas ever.  I will never forget it.  I wish I could wrap it up and do it all again.”

Hoyt Tessener, a partner at Martin & Jones, agreed saying, “The Masonic Home provides such a wonderful environment for these children in need.  It is a joy to share in the Christmas spirit.  It is truly a highlight of our Christmas season."

COURTESY OF THE MARTIN AND JONES WEBSITE (www.martinandjones.com)

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Home Prepares to Celebrate St. John’s Day 2010

Guest Speaker, Lunch, Open House Tours Highlight Event

The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford is proud to host St. John’s Day, Saturday, June 26, 2010, and we want you to join us! Activities for the annual summer visit to The Home will focus on the past and the present.  Campus tours will be given by staff and residents. These tours were a big hit with all visitors during last year’s celebration.  The tour will include visits to some of homes of the children, the School of Graphic Arts, cafeteria, and Cobb Center museum/archives.  Lunch will be available starting at 11am. Residents will have food and craft booths open throughout the day, selling breakfast, home-made desserts, and crafts.  Shuttles will be available to carry guests throughout the campus, with a full schedule of activities planned for the day.

With a popular radio appearance, a newly released book, and a heralded article from the Wall Street Journal, The Home is proud to announce this year’s guest speaker Dr. Richard B. McKenize.   Sharing some of his comments from his Wall Street Journal article, The Best Thing About Orphanages and those heard on “The State of Things” on WUNC-FM, Dr. McKenize will inform and enlightened on why the concept of orphanages and children’s homes has been and continues to be important, providing positive results in the lives of children.  An author of several books including  The Home: A Memoir of Growing Up in an Orphanage , Rethinking Orphanages for the 21st Century (1998) and Home Away from Home: The Forgotten History of Orphanages as well as executive producer of a documentary film on The Homecomings: The Forgotten World of America’s Orphanages  Dr. McKenize also speaks from the heart, as an alumnus of Barium Springs Home for Children.  For more on Dr. McKenzie and his research and publications regarding orphanages, visit his website at http://web.gsm.uci.edu/~mckenzie/. 

A full day of fun, fellowship, interest information and a special visit at your Masonic Home for Children is planned.  We hope you, your family, your friends, and your Lodge will join us.  For more information, contract your Lodge secretary, call the Home at 1-888-505-4357 or visit the Home’s St. John’s Day website at www.mhc-oxford.org/ .  SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES COMING SOON!

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Alumni Ski Trip Another Success – with Snow!!

After years of fighting rain, warm temps, and no snow the residents of Temple and Williams Memorial Cottage were able to hit the slopes, courtesy of some very special family members of MHCO – our alumni and one of the “snowest’ winters in a awhile.  Specifically, the trip is the hard work and commitment of alumni Doug Whitaker and Terri Lawson, who have organized this trip ever winter for several years now.  Hundreds of children of our Home have skied for the first time thanks to Terri, Doug, and the large number of volunteers, other alumni, Masonic Lodges, and businesses who have donated to the event for over seventeen years.  The trip couldn’t be held without the continued support of the Biltmore West Ramada Inn and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort who assist our alumni with organizing the trip and providing discounts for our kids. We even had some first time skiers hit the big slopes this year.  A wonderful time was had by all and a big thanks to all who volunteered and donated to make this year’s ski trip possible.  THANK YOU!

Please join us in thanking our alumni, volunteers, and donors for another wonderful and memorable skiing trip in 2010!

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Hurricanes Trip First Class for Those Here at the Holidays

William G. Hill, Hiram, Masters – Raleigh Lodges, Car Quest Provide A Christmas Outing Like No Other 

Chuck Henline of Hiram Lodge No. 40 and his employer, General Parts International and CarQuest, joined William G. Hill No. 218  and its members Chip Phelps and Master Mike Cashion organizing two nights of Carolina Hurricanes Hockey, from the Sky Box Suites!  The children who remained at The Home during Christmas were treated to souveniers, unlimited food, drinks, and snacks, and a visit from Hurricanes cheerleaders and the Mascot, Stormy, as well as members of the Lodges and their families.  Raleigh Lodge No. 500 and Masters Lodge No. 754 also joined in contributing.  The Home also received a Sky Box for two (2) nights courtesy of Eric Staal, All-Star Center of the Carolina Hurricanes.  A great Christmas present for those in our care during the holiday season,  courtesy of our Masonic brethren in and around Raleigh.

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