The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2018 The North Carolina Mason Page 7 Brothers get hands dirty for the kids When spring does its thing, the brothers (and others) get busy. Some 120 brothers from around the state took a picture perfect April Day to make a perfect picture of the Masonic Home for Children campus in Oxford. Dirt was dug, mulch spread and plants planted around the campus cottages, God's Half Acre and many campus buildings. e annual Great Landscape Event – held a little later than normal this year to ensure better weather – is a lot of work, for sure …. but it's also fun for those who pile into trucks and spend half a Saturday day getting their hands dirty to make our home for kids the most beautiful in the state. Brother Masons made up the largest contingent of helpers, but MHCO board members and local civic groups also pitched in. e work does not go unrewarded. Workers are fed well – they start the day early, with a tasty, hearty breakfast and end it with a filling lunch before everyone heads home. What? You missed it? Make a date for next year. Be there in 2019. It's fun, it makes a real difference on campus, and …. Did we mention that it's fun? "Like" the MHCO Facebook page today to keep up to date on upcoming events to help the kids. The Great Landscape Event 2018 Brothers and friends of MHCO spent a hard-working morning on campus clean- ing away old brush and planting new flow- ers. Clockwise from top, mulching around the swings keeps things clean and fresh for the kids; Volunteers improvised and didn't miss a thing – even scrubbing down the street signs on campus; Brothers invested a lot of muscle, time and love to clean out old trees and brush around God's Half Acre; A perfect place to pause and reflect on the good work of the home and the brothers who support it. Photos by Beth Grace; Tree photo by GM Speed Hallman

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