Methodist Children’s Home of Greater New Orleans hosted an appreciation brunch in honor of our volunteers on Saturday, September 21 at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Mandeville. Several dozen volunteers from across southeast Louisiana braved the rainy weather to gather with our staff in celebration of the key role volunteers play in fulfilling the Home’s mission of caring for children and families in crisis.

Rev. Edie Finch, Chaplain of the Children’s Home, welcomed our guest volunteers and presented them with a gift of appreciation. The gift, an original piece of pottery made especially for them by Louisiana artist, Kent Follette, has the Home’s logo imprinted in the ceramic base to ensure our volunteers remember the significance of their work.

Then Rick Wheat, President and CEO of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, thanked the volunteers and explained why their very personal involvement is so meaningful to our youth. He said, “When our staff does great things for our kids, no matter how good those relationships are, in the back of our kids’ minds is the thought, “it’s your job to care for me”. But when a volunteer does something special for a child, that child knows it is done out of love. Our kids need that!”

Wheat also updated the volunteers on efforts to create a new home for the Children’s Home on the north shore. “We are preparing for the next 100 years of ministry in southeast Louisiana.” The search continues for property, approximately 80 to 100 acres, on which to build a permanent residential facility and also provide outdoor experiential learning and treatment services. He pointed volunteers to the new website about our search for land at www.MCHSELA.com

The volunteers represented congregations from across southeast Louisiana which support the Children’s Home in a variety of ways such as conducting a VBS program for the kids each summer; taking kids fishing and crabbing; serving as tutors and mentors; planning birthday activities; cooking home-cooked meals quarterly; leading the Scout troop; and organizing the annual golf tournament that benefits the Home.

The golf volunteers in attendance announced there is still space available in the upcoming 33rd Annual Golf Classic to be held Monday, October 7 at Beau Chene Country Club. For more information about the golf tournament or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call the Children’s Home at (985) 626-6649.