The North Carolina Mason

Page 6 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2018 Beth Grace photos Photo by Fred Wilker son our masonic charities at Work For more than 10 years, Santa has made sure he has a "save the date" item on his calendar: e annual Masonic Home for Children Christmas Party. Santa says this is one of his favorite events – filled with laughing kids, brimming with surprise gifts, and overflowing with brotherly love. Every year in mid-December, the traffic picks up on the roads to the home as supporters and friends make their way to the annual party, where companies make their annual gifts, brothers bring gift after gift to the cottages, and the home itself treats all comers with a delicious meal, sincere thanks and a minute or two as needed with Santa. "On a night filled with presents, paper, and wish lists fulfilled, we focus on those friends who come and share their joy of Christmas, said Tina Gilreath, financial development and communications coordinator. "For most, they don't know why a child is in care or the circum- stances that led them to MHCO. What they do know is that through their work, planning, giving, and personal sacrifice and that of others, a child will have a better Christmas, with posi- tive memories, and hope for the new year." While these friends bring gifts and financial support, the biggest gift they give is their rela- tionship with the kids and the home, she says. at includes the sponsors who make the holidays great for each cottage, supplying gifts and love for the kids who live inside: Oxford orphanage/MHCO Alumni Asso- ciation sponsored Jefcoat Cottage Martin & Jones Attorneys at Law spon- sored Temple Cottage McGregor Enterprise sponsored Williams Cottage Triangle Italian American Heritage Asso- ciation sponsored Master Mason Cottage Novella Clinical Inc. sponsored Gray Cottage UNC Hospital-Surgery Service sponsored Kimel Cottage Oak Grove #750 sponsored Alumni Cottage 22nd Masonic District and Order of the Eastern Star Battle of Alamance sponsored Eller Cottage Happy Home Heating & Cooling spon- sored Bemis Cottage Newell #739 sponsored the Independent Living Program Gifts also were received from numerous North Carolina lodges. Brethren lined up at the microphone to announce their gift and talk about their love for the home. MHCO's Christmas party filled with love, friendship, charity, and the jolly old elf Nothing says Christmas like a hug from Santa. The MHCO kids get a chance to talk to the big guy. The Oxford Orphans association dines in style at the annual MHCO Christmas dinner. It's all about the gifts. Grand Master Speed Hallman hands out some goodies at the party (above), while kids headed back to their cottages after dinner to open gifts provided by generous donors (below).

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