“Don’t leave me!”
Jenny clung to her cottage mother as she cried out these words. The other children from the cottage laughed as they hung from the monkey bars and swung on the playground swings. The young girl watched but would not join in the fun.
Jenny came to live at Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) only a few days earlier. She was making friends and growing close to her cottage parents. However, anytime they went outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, Jenny did not want to play. She followed her cottage parents closely refusing to leave their sides. They were puzzled because they could tell she wanted to play, but something held her back.
One day, while the other children were on the playground, Jenny bravely told her cottage mother, “My momma left me at the playground and never came back.”
Jenny cried as her house mother hugged her tightly. She assured Jenny that she never had to worry about being abandoned again. A few days later, while the two of them sat together, Jenny slowly stood and began to take small steps towards the playground. Her house mother smiled widely as Jenny suddenly burst onto the playground and climbed on the nearest swing. The only thing abandoned on this day was the young girl’s fear as she swung and played outdoors with the other children.
Jenny experienced her first summer filled with laughter and joy because of friends like you! As a summer sponsor, this is the gift you provide for boys and girls, like Jenny, whose lives have been marked by heartache. At Baptist Children’s Homes, their cottage parents ensure they feel safe, loved and ensure their summers are filled with warm weather activities that replace their painful memories and with ones of happiness.
Please be a summer sponsor and help hundreds of boys and girls who count on your faithful support. Choose one of the sponsorship levels below or give any amount of your choice - every gift makes a difference!
Thank you for making summer unforgettable for North Carolina children! May your summer also be filled with joy and laughter. Michael C. Blackwell, BCH President/CEO
P.S. Please help children this summer! It is important for meeting their tremendous needs, but also for ensuring their summer is filled with fun activities that create lasting memories.