December 4, 2016, Ruston, LA – Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home along with its Family Counseling Center and Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center, recently hosted its 2^nd Annual Military Family Day.

Soldiers and their families from Louisiana National Guard’s 527^th and 1023^rd Engineer Battalions were honored and celebrated when more than 100 staff and volunteers came together to host the event, held at the OWL Center in Dubach. Despite the day’s forecast of a 100% chance of rain, soldiers and their families were treated to a fun filled day!

Children enjoyed arts and crafts in the conference center, horse and pony rides, as well as jump houses under the covered WildHorse Arena. Children had an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus and have their picture made with Santa and his elves!

In addition to all of these events, there was live music by the Jacks R Wild band,a special performance by Elizabeth Vidos “Lady Chops,” and special guest Uncle Si Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame was on hand for “Selfies with Si.” Uncle Si met and had his picture made with many of the soldiers and their family members.

Lunch was served to all families, staff, and volunteers in the OWL’s Conference Center.

Methodist Children’s Home has employees who currently serve in the armed forces, and some who are veterans of the armed forces. A longtime supporter of the military, the Home was honored to host an event that “gave back” to soldiers and their families. LMCH would like to acknowledge and thank the sponsors who helped make Military Family Day possible, including Walmart locations in Ruston, Jonesboro, Winfield and Winnsboro; Querbes & Nelson, Centric Credit Union, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. First United Methodist Churches of Arcadia, Pineville and Monroe donated more than 150 dozen home-made cookies, and DeNeise Barlow’s The Cake Shed donated hundreds of decorated cupcakes. The Home’s Family Counseling Center was able to dedicate a portion of a grant funded by the Lincoln Health Foundation to the day.