The Methodist Home for Children and Youth has been serving children at the Macon Campus since the early 1870s, almost 140 years. During that period over 10, 000 children have had the benefit of care and love, something that many of us, born into more fortunate circumstances, often take for granted. Today the Home operates 5 sites in Americus, Columbus, St. Mary's, and Valdosta, along with the Macon location.

On April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Home will host Celebration Day. An important fund raiser for the home, it will be a day filled with fun and fare, with BBQ, fried chicken, boiled peanuts, a bake sale, and lots of children's activities. A silent auction will be held from 10 a.m. until noon, and a live auction will take place from noon until 2 p.m. Such items as hunting vacations and quilts will be sold.

Quilts serve a special purpose at the Home. Many children arrive with not much more than the clothes on their back. Dr. Steve Rumford, President and CEO since 1984, came up with a unique first step at correcting this problem. Each child, upon arrival, gets presented with his or her very own quilt, sewn by volunteers across the South Georgia Conference.

Dr. Rumford figured out how he could solve another age-old problem at the same time. He found that the first exposure the children had to the "Head Master" was usually one of a disciplinary nature. This placed a huge negative impression on the child, similar to "going to see the principal". To solve this problem, when the child first arrives, Dr. Rumford himself presents the quilt and discusses with the child how important he or she is in the eyes of God and his new Home family.

It just takes a little time with Dr. Rumford to see how the positive environment of the Home is being fostered. The product of a broken home himself, Dr. Rumford is dedicated to the Home's mission. Written on one of the stained glass windows, the mission statement drives all those involved. "In response to Christ and the Church, the mission of the Home is to be a model agency that restores childhoods, strengthens families, and cultivates a people-building organization."

The Home has been remarkably successful at the mission of restoring childhoods, especially considering that many of the children who come there have failed at five or more prior placements.

It's not hard to find living examples of the success. "Buddy" Chase, a resident of the Home, was elected Student Body President of Lanier High School in 1957. He went on to earn his PHD at Columbia University and in 1985 became the first alumnus to serve on the Home's Board of Trustees. Today Dr. Edwin Chase is Director of the Home's Family Institute and has written a book soon to be published. Patches of Quilt details individual stories of how the home has impacted the lives of the children.

Linton Holleman discussed how the Home had impacted his life. With a degree in respiratory therapy, Linton now spends most of his working time in sales and marketing for Rutland Medical supply. "Without a doubt, the Home saved my life," Linton said. "My parents were the partying type with multiple marriages. I became the unwanted product of one of those marriages. When I came here in my early teens, I was into heavy metal music, had already started drinking and smoking, and was hanging with a tough crowd. But at the Home, we went to church all the time. Rev. Lawrence became the father I never had. All of a sudden at 14, the guys I hung around with changed."

Linton described the positive influence the privilege system employed by the Home had on him. All who arrive start with Level III privileges, and the level increased or decreased based on behavior. The reward based program could be used as a model, Linton believes. His faith is now very important to him, and he credits the Home with changing his life.

The Home has an interesting history. The most recent book on the subject, Wounded Souls, Dried Tears, and Quilts was written by Gary Lister of Cochran. During the summer of 1997, Dr. Laudis H. Langford, known affectionately by the children as "Daddy Rick" came to Cochran UMC to speak. Anyone who has had the opportunity to hear "Daddy Rick", the President of the Home's Foundation, speak can attest to the conviction and power of the man's love for what he does. As a result, Gary took his visiting preacher, Reverend John Tenner, who was on a pulpit exchange program from England to visit the Home. During the visit, the idea of the book was born. The book details some of the early history of the Home, and outlines the memories of three of the Homes inhabitants. Proceeds of the book are donated to the Home. It can be purchased online at Amazon. com.

The Methodist Children's Home for Children and Youth is one of the best kept secret treasures of the Middle Georgia area. After one visit, it tugs at your heart to want to help. So tune in next month as His Voice covers the Celebration Day on April 26 and brings you more personal insights into life at the Home through the story of LaShanda James, prior resident and currently a Human Resources staff member at the Home. We look forward to your support of the event. For more information, call 478-751-2800.