Rotary Fact Sheet on the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
History
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina was founded in 1954 as the culmination of a dream held by A.D. Peacock, a local funeral home operator. Supported by a handful of local business men and civic leaders, he was able to establish the Homes in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina in 1956 and the first five boys were admitted.
In the mid 1960’s several Rotary club districts in North Carolina, with the urging of Mr. Ben Southerland of Wilmington, took on the challenge of building a cottage on the Boys Home campus. The cottage was completed and dedicated in 1966. Since that time Rotarians from around the state continue to support the maintenance of the cottage and the welfare of the boys who live there. In 2005-2006 Rotary Clubs committed to an extensive renovation project for the Rotary Cottage including a new roof, bathrooms, carpet, paint and many other improvements.
About the Homes
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc. is a privately funded non-sectarian, not-for-profit agency that provides out of home placement for children because of abuse or neglect. The average length of stay for as many as eighty children between the ages of 9 and 18 is ten to eleven months. A family atmosphere is provided by a “teaching parent” couple or individual adults who live in the cottage with the children.
The Homes also adopted a Family Foster Care and Adoption program in 1998 and now serves around 75 children in ten counties. The Foster Care staff recruits and trains the foster parents, places the children with them, and supervises the homes. Children ages birth to 21 are served in this program. In 2005 the Foster Care program was expanded to include adoptions. The Homes is also committed to providing spiritual care, recreation and athletics, and educational achievement programs for the children. Our goal is to reunite children with their families when possible. When it is not possible, we provide love, care, and guidance for the children as long as it is needed.
Rotary Cottage
There are up to nine high school age boys in the Rotary Cottage. The Rotary Cottage hosts our PIL Program (Program for Independent Living). The boys are being prepared for life skills. When they leave the Home they must be prepared to earn a living, go to college or vocational school, and be able to survive on their own.
Ways Rotarians can help the Boys and Girls Homes:
1. Encourage Rotary Clubs to visit the campus and see the Home first hand.
2. Schedule a Boys and Girls Homes program for your Rotary Club.
3. Know the facts about Boys and Girls Homes and tell other Rotary Clubs about the Home.
4. Become a regular contributor as an individual Rotarian.
5. Have your Rotary Club develop a special fundraising event for the Home.
6. Sponsor a trip for the Rotary Boys to your Rotary Club meeting or take them to a college basketball game, a trip to an amusement park, or any special activity in your community.
7. When a member of your club passes away or a member is being honored for their service, contribute through a memorial or honor gift to the Home.
8. Participate in our Christmas in lieu Program. The Homes will mail an appropriate Christmas greeting card informing them of your gift.
9. Contribute goods or services-clothing, equipment, furnishings, school supplies, food, household supplies, vehicles, etc. to share with the children or our Country Store.
10. Sponsor a child at Christmas or provide support for their birthday, Valentine’s Day, Easter and other special occasions.
11. Rotarians can make Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina a beneficiary in their will.
12. Create a special endowment for your Rotary Club ($2,500 minimum).
13. Support and participate in the annual “Rotary Day”(Harvest Train) at the Home. Bring items for the Rotary Cottage and the Country Store.
14. Individual Rotarians are needed as mentors or speakers for our PIL program.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Lamont, Director of Civic Club Development
P. O. Box 127, 400 Flemington Drive
Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450
(910) 646-3083 (ext: 241)
Contact: Tom Lamont
Boys and Girls Home