By Amanda Irwin, Boys and Girls Home
Debating whose house parent made the best fried chicken, checking in on how a fellow alumni was doing now or discussing the legendary size of former director Rube McCray’s hands were just a few topics Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina alumni discussed during homecoming weekend.
Alumni enjoyed a dinner Friday night (April 19) at Dale’s Seafood in Lake Waccamaw and activities, tours and awards on Saturday (April 20) on the campus of BGHNC.
About 145 people attended the event, which was the largest alumni gathering in many years. Former staff members Jimmie Tutor and Rebecca Wray, current staff member Jonathan Crawley, and alumna and former staff Jasmine Patrick received Difference Maker awards. Malik Parker and Racheal Winger received Distinguished Alumni awards.
Alumni pored over books of photos and piles of loose pictures, pointing out kiddos they recognized to help the organization continue to archive its history in its 70th year.
Throughout Saturday’s events, 14 alumni joined the BGHNC Alumni Story Network, stepping into the story booth in the BGHNC Fellowship Hall to record their stories through the StoryCorps app so their histories will be preserved in The Library of Congress.
The alumni and former staff awards was a special time to reflect on the resilience of people who have lived and worked at Boys and Girls Homes in its seven decades.
“I do thank you for being a part of my life and for making a difference in my life,” said BGHNC Alumni Association incoming president Jasmine Patrick as she gave Jimmie Tutor his Difference Maker award.
Former Interim CEO Rebecca Wray “made me feel valued and heard when nobody else would,” said BGHNC alumna Tawni Oberschelp as she gave Ms. Wray her Difference Maker award.
Of distinguished alumni Malik and Racheal, who met at BGHNC, President Marc Murphy said: “The couple have remained in touch with Boys and Girls Homes, frequently visiting to speak with leadership and youth to provide inspiration,” he said. “They continue to serve as ambassadors for the organization sharing their experience and the difference that Boys and Girls Homes has made in their lives.”
