The North Carolina Mason

the arrival of the first children to enter into our care. The scene was witnessed and recorded by future Grand Master Francis D. Winston on Feb. 13, 1873: "I … saw Mr. Mills receive the first orphan at this institution. I shall not forget the scene. … It was on Saturday afternoon. A dull cloud hung in the sky. A man with a one-horse wagon drove to the door. Mr. Mills, with gruff voice, asked his mission. He told it. The gigantic form of our friend shook with emotion. He lifted the pale youth from the wagon with the paw of a lion. He raised him in the air, and with melting pity and tears, let him drop upon his heart and kissed him. It was indeed the caress of the lion, but it was truly the caress of love." Those first children were Robert L. Parrish, Nancy Parrish and Isabella Robertson. More than 10,000 would follow. Histories of our Home and the exhibits and multimedia displays in the Cobb Center on campus bring the story up to the present day. What is it about the place that draws Masons back year after year? Why do others who, never having stepped onto the grounds, send their gifts and raise money for Oxford in their communities? The easy answer is that we are obligated to assist the widow and orphan and reminded regularly to act upon our generous principles. But beyond solemn obligations and gentle reminders of what we should do, why do so many go the extra mile? "In thinking about this, the word 'passion' keeps playing over and over in my mind," said Dewey Preslar, past Grand Master, past chairman of the Home's board and a stalwart supporter. "Whatever a person is passionate about, it's contagious to those around them. Those coming to the campus probably were invited and encouraged by someone with that passion. "For me, it is summed up in the scriptures, particularly Luke 18:16." Kevin Otis, administrator of the Home for 11 years, said it's difficult to go anywhere in the state without meeting someone connected to our Home. Last year he and Alvin Billings, the annual giving officer, visited 62 lodges, attended seven district meetings and reported to the Annual Communication, telling more than 5,000 Masons about the lives touched by our Home and asking for support. This personal approach is supplemented by television and radio advertising and a robust social media presence that encourage people to give, to point a child needing care in our direction, and to encourage potential house parents to consider joining our team. Most of the youngsters we envision when we think of the Home are in Direct Care, for children between infancy and 18 years old. They live in cottages with house parents. The Independent Living program meets the needs of older children and young adults 12 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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