"Hey That is Ted"
Now:
We attended a most interesting seniors meeting the other night. The guest of honor we have known a few years, Ken Hudson. He is now the Superintendent of the ‘Home for Children’. He was invited to speak by our Senior Leader, Ann Brown, a feisty 92 year old girl. She told him we would be glad to compensate him for his time. He told her, “Ann why don’t you just give it to the kids?”
With that, wheels rolled in her head. She set a goal for $1000 for the kids. That was reached and she shot for $2000. Well it ended up over $4000. It was the best senior dinner and meeting I can remember.
That HOME started with two children who had lost their parents. A minister took them in (1944) and after exhausting all avenues to house them, he called the owner of Cannon Mills. After some research Mr. Cannon said there is no orphanage in this area, but if you will manage it, the mill would donate the land build the buildings and turn it over to you. It happened quickly.
It so happens that two people I have come to know in the last few years are from that ‘Home for Children’. They spoke tonight and the stories were very heartwarming.
The story Friend Ted told touched me. When he and his siblings were there in the 50-60 era, The Home asked families to take a kid during school break at Christmas so they would know some family interactions. He recalled those were some to the best times of his life.
There were 14 boys his age 5-10 in his group. He said when everyone returned after Christmas, for a couple nights you could hear some sniffling and subdued sobs. I could imagine.
His sister Terry spoke also. Each kid got 15 cents allowance a week. She said she couldn’t wait to get old enough to work in the kitchen because then you got 25 cents a week allowance. AND when a kid brought in a report card with nothing below a B they got a $1. She only missed one time. The stories were very insightful. I grew up visiting that “Home for Children” a couple times a year because Dad’s churches ALWAYS supported it.’
Ken let us know that the kids they have now are much different from the first ‘orphans’. The ones now are from very abusive backgrounds, with nightmares of their short lives. Their stories will break the heart of the strongest of people, he said.
Sweet this, they were taught to tithe on the 15 cents. Both of them were still extremely proud of that. It set the tune of their lives.
Of course our East Belmont COG pastor, the Right Reverend Danny Peterson was present and 100% behind our young Sister Ann Brown's activities. Ahhh, there is so much more to this story we had a great night!
Nite Shipslog
The top picture of two boys was an amazing coincidence. The one on the left is Ted, the man who spoke during the meeting. This is from a new brochure for the Home to be used at their 75th anniversary. No one knew it was Ted until his sister Terry looking at the brochure called, 'THAT IS TED!' Tears were apparent with the sibings.
Sorry, but A story like this s impossible for me to stay 300-350 words.
This is the NC Church of God Home for Children in Kannapolis, NC, Home of Cannon Mills. Have you ever used a Cannon made towel?
Trucks of Art
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8 comments:
This brought me to tears and smiles.
Such to think that such all began with two children and people who were dedicated to them.
Is there a site on which I could donate?
Wow. You've evoked so much emotion in this reader, I don't quite know what to do with it. Perspective's an amazing thing, isn't it? Thank you for sharing this glimpse!
I was crying reading your account of the children's home. The world could always use more folks like that.
We visited the Cannon Factory when I was a kid. My older sister lived at Ft. Bragg, NC and we were blessed to visit and mom purchased towels at Cannon. No one makes towels like that anymore.
I always love the cars you share. Our oldest daughter Noelle works for Hagerty Ins. Co. Every month they bring a new collector car and park it in the main lobby. The stories are always so fascinating. Come next Monday, our son-in-law Zach will start working there too.
It has been a while but I love stopping by. Thanks for sharing. HUGS to you and your lovely wife. xo
Such a heart warming story! Glad that home was there there and is still there now, albeit in perhaps a different capacity. You hear horror stories sometimes about what went on in places like this, but this doesn't seem to be part of that. I would have gladly supported it if I was at the gathering.
betty
What an endearing story. We used to have children's homes and orphanages here, but now children go into foster homes for the most part. I think it's better to be in a family environment when it's a good one. Truly there are so many sad tales of the ways kids grow up these days. Fathers in prison and mom's who overdose. It seems like the news is full of children being taken away from abusive parents. It's just heart breaking for sure.
Tears are flowing both of sadness and gladness. It's amazing how one little act like a tithe of their savings bring a lifetime change in a child's life. It's wonderful~God works in mysterious ways. Today's lost children are in foster homes, most very good, some not, but at least they start out in an family environment. God Bless your warm heart for sharing this heartfelt experience. Ann's 'compensation offer' turned into a most appreciated gift for the children of the Home for Children. God is sooo good.
and yes, I have many Cannon towels that are so soft. It must be the cotton~:)
love n' hugs from up north where we are digging out once again. It will be short-lived as we are in for warmer weather.
I don’t worry so much about keeping to a set length when I have something to say.
But mine tend to be shorter when I’m out of words.
You did good on this one.
R
a heartwarming story indeed.
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