Thomasville Area Family Services: Journal

VBS at Mills Home

06.23.2008

Mills Home was blessed to have a group from Friendship Baptist Church in Lyman, South Carolina the week of June 9th. Scott Hardy, Minister of Music and Students at Friendship as well as former Mills Home child care worker, led in the VBS activities during the week. During the day the group organized activities in the cottages with the residents. Each night a praise and worship service was held in the church. Several of our residents made decisions for the Lord and all of us were uplifted and inspired.

Mills Home Celebrates Dr. Blackwell 25th Anniversary

06.06.2008

It was a great day at Mills Home on Tuesday, June 3rd as staff members and distinguished guests honored Dr. Michael C. Blackwell’s 25th Anniversary as President of Baptist Children's Homes. The festivities began by honoring Dr. Blackwell with a trip down memory lane to his college years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was greeted in the gym by staff members dressed in Carolina Blue shaking pom-poms to a fight song medley. At center court, Dr. Blackwell was greeted by seven cheerleaders from the Class of 1965 – Rusty Bunker, Phillip Carter, Shane Carter, Don Pensworth, Sid Loflin, Rich Outman and Larry Webb. The cheerleaders’ beauty may have faded through the years, but they still had the moves as they led the group in special cheers and a dance routine to the song “Mickey”. The group then moved to the gym's teen room for lunch. The teen room had been transformed into the Chapel Hill landmark restaurant, The Rathskeller. Mrs. Lynn Garner, Central Area Family Services director, greeted Dr. Blackwell, honored guests and staff. Mills Home was pleased to have four trustees and their guests join the celebration. A lunch of lasagna, a signature dish of the Rathskeller, was prepared by Barbara Foster and Henry Eggers and served by the Mills Home Office Professionals, members of the President’s Management Group and Jennifer Shore, Dr. Blackwell’s administrative assistant. After lunch, a program of “This is your life – Michael C. Blackwell” began with a guest from Mills Homes’ past – John Mills! The Reverend Dr. Ray Howell, First Baptist Church in Lexington, portrayed John Mills as he initiated a program of honoring the many accomplishments of Dr. Blackwell’s 25 years of service to BCH. All staff members participated in a different skit or presentation to honor Dr. Blackwell’s ministry. Thomasville Area office professional Linda Taylor and former Executive Vice President, Executive Administration Jennie Counts both shared thoughts from experiences of working with Dr. Blackwell. The program was followed by a presentation from Thomasville mayor Joe Bennett who presented Dr. Blackwell with the key to the city. Dr. Blackwell shared his appreciation for the honor bestowed by Mayor Bennett and also for the full day’s festivities by Mills Home.

MIlls Home Residents Learn Self-Esteem

06.02.2008

For the past twelve weeks, Patricia Carroll (Accounts Payable) joined in the ministry first hand at Mills Home. She held classes with the young ladies on subjects such as “Building Self-Esteem”, “Conducting Yourself Like A Lady” and “Respect Yourself”. Patricia also was able to get other people from the community to help with lessons. Sheila Wray, owner/operator of Sheila’s Bridal & Styles, brought other stylist, Kimberly, Erica, Jordan, to help give lessons on how to wear make up and all residents had the opportunity to have their hair styled. Sheila was so moved by the ministry at Mills Home that she has offered her services for free to all the young ladies to have their hair cut and styled at her salon giving them more attention than she was able to spend in one night. Patricia was also able to have former Miss Thomasville Kendra Dawkins Strickland come to talk to the young ladies about self-esteem and how to respect themselves so others would do the same. She had some very interesting stories to tell about her journey to winning the Miss Thomasville crown. Kendra had some very good insights that the young ladies could use in their every day lives. The last class was a social outing at a local restaurant. All the young ladies dressed in their finest and enjoyed being ladies. They all received certificates for their participation in the classes and they all shared what they thought was most meaningful to them that they learned. It was evident that they all learned valuable lessons. Mills Home staff and residents very much appreciate Patricia Carroll spending her free time working with the young ladies and giving them another opportunity to learn how valuable they are and how much they are loved. Patricia is already planning her next classes that she plans to begin in September!

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