Adding it to the Home’s monthly Needs List, a new Garden Shed for the Children’s Community Garden seemed like a big project. With great expense and the decision to build, buy, transport, or trade, the Home’s growing garden was in need, but could that need be fulfilled? Within the past year this monumental need was made reality and not just through the efforts of one gift, one person, or one Lodge, but through the generosity, care, and commitment of many. It seems fitting that during a year of emphasizing the foundation of the Home and the relationships of people, one building for our Children’s Garden proved to bring together the charity, work, and faith of many.
Starting in the spring of 2015, the Lodges of the 21st Masonic District made it their purpose to collect enough funds to purchase a kit to provide the Home with a Garden Shed. On June 26, 2015, led by DDGM Frank Wanko of Southern Pines No. 484, members of the district delivered $1,280, collected from the Lodges of the District, given to purchase a shed for the campus. With the money donated, the kit was delivered that summer. Next was the task of assembly.
With a generous donation from the local CertainTeed Plant located in Oxford, NC, shingles were donated to complete the parts needed to construct the shed in early 2016. Left was the skill, knowledge, 
and “sweat equity” to bring the building together. With the opportunity to gather on the Home’s annual Great Landscape, brethren from the Home’s own district, District 13, came to the campus, saw, hammer, and level in hand on March 19, 2016. Assembling the group was Brother Tommy Keith of Creedmoor Lodge No. 499 and with his and the efforts of over twenty Masonic brethren in two weekends, the shed was completed for use this spring and for years to come, adding to the Children’s Garden a valuable and useful piece for the future.
The true value of this simple wooden shed – the gift of collaboration, Masonic Unity, and the benevolence that comes when many give together – all for the kids. Watching these donors come together, each giving a cherished and useful gift, in so many ways demonstrates the true power of a donation, when given by many. It is what has carried this Home for over 143 years. Much like the principles of the Masonic Fraternity, these builders each gave of themselves and relied upon the strengths and generosity of every person, from collections to construction, all to 
bring their offering for use at their Children’s Home. This was truly a gift from many that will give to many, for years and years to come.
We salute and thank all those who had a part in this project, which will stand to serve our campus, our children, and as a reminder to what can be truly be given when donors believe and come together based on that belief in helping a child.
DISTRICT NO. 21
Carthage Lodge No. 181
Laurinburg Lodge No. 305
Raeford Lodge No. 306
Southern Pines Lodge No. 484
Rockingham Lodge No. 495
Hamlet Lodge No. 532
Roman Eagle Lodge No. 550
Elise Lodge No. 555
Elberta Lodge No. 654
DISTRICT NO. 13
Oxford Lodge No. 122
Franklinton Lodge No. 123
Adoniram Lodge No. 149
Henderson Lodge No. 229
Youngsville Lodge No. 377
Granville Lodge No. 380
Henry F. Grainger Lodge No. 412
James A. Johnson Lodge No. 413
Creedmoor Lodge No. 499
John H. Mills Lodge No. 624
Orphans Lodge No. 761
Butner Lodge No. 697
Special thanks to CertainTeed of Oxford, NC for their generous donation towards this project.
April 23rd was a very special weekend in the happenings of your Children’s Home. A new and innovative program kicked-off during a spring weekend at MHCO – one ordained -to send Masons and their families forward, speaking, acting, and working on behalf of the Home and its children. Twelve Master Masons from across North Carolina gathered, many with their spouses, to experience life on the campus of MHCO and to learn specific information regarding the operation, programs, and plans of the Home. With this knowledge, these Ambassadors were commissioned by Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, MW Brother Bryant Webster, with the goal of carrying the Home’s message to families in need, interested supporters, and all seeking information and interest about MHCO. From the idea of our alumni, seeking to engaging new and more individuals in their Home, as well as involving the Masons of NC in a more personal manner and on a more widespread basis came this innovative and important plan. In seeking to involve more, providing them with the tools for communication, presentations, and constituent development came this first MHCO Ambassador Program in 2016.
The weekend culminated with a Graduation Ceremony officially naming each participant as part of the inaugural Ambassador Class at MHCO. Each received a Certificate, Pin, and a Walking Stick to help represent their purpose of leading others to the benefits, promise, and possibility of the Home. PGM and Board Vice Chairman Dewey Preslar presented the Walking Sticks and informed the class of their origin and purpose as it related to the Ambassador Program. The Walking Sticks were hand crafted by Worshipful Brother David J. Stapleton of Greenville Lodge No. 284 and Dan River Lodge No. 129, who honed each just for this occasion embodying the strength, support, and importance of the work of each Ambassador for this first class.
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