Tag Archive for: #masonichomeforchildren

City of Oxford Drone Demonstration at Masonic Home for Children – TOMORROW

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-Press Release, the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford announced its acquisition of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) commonly known as a drone. Initial utilization of the City’s drone will be in its public safety departments but will eventually involve Engineering, Public Works and Planning and Zoning. Acquisition of the drone was made possible by utilizing matching funds made available through a grant award from the NC League of Municipalities.

Oxford’s UAS is a DJI Matrice 200 equipped with a Zenmuse XT2 FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera. The thermal camera provides the City’s Public Safety professionals with a unique way to increase situational awareness and gather additional scene information. This technology can assist agencies in making crucial and time-sensitive decisions by giving real-time, first-person views of ever-developing scenes.

“Having an additional view from above a fast developing scene gives us the information needed to deploy our resources where the need is most critical and decreases the risk to the responder,” said David Cottrell, Oxford Fire Chief.

Oxford Police Chief Alvin Coley stated, “We are excited about the endless potential of this new piece of equipment and its ability to increase the quality of services that Oxford Police provides to the city and surrounding communities. The new drone will enhance Oxford Police’s ability to perform various law enforcement related tasks that we could not perform or would otherwise require the use of several man hours. In some instances, the drone could be used to provide lifesaving information during critical instances, and in the non-critical task, it could provide general information for planning events. Law enforcement, in general, has embraced this new technology and I’m sure Oxford PD will learn and grow in a positive direction as well from this new acquisition.”

Unlike a hobbyist or recreational drone, Oxford’s equipment must be flown by an FAA Part 107 UAS Pilot. This certification allows the pilots to fly commercially as government operators. These operators must also pass the North Carolina Department of Transportation Operator’s Knowledge Test and follow all requirements for annual training and recertification.

The City of Oxford’s UAS is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and is marked with a unique identification number and name as required.

There will be a demonstration of the drone on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 1 p.m. behind the swimming pool at the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford.

7th Annual Masonic Homecoming Festival Saturday

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The 7th Annual Masonic Homecoming Festival continues tomorrow, Saturday, October 14th.

Every year Oxford welcomes home all of its Masonic Home for Children alumni in the fall. Head Administrator for the institution Kevin Otis talked with WIZS TownTalk this past Wednesday – click here for the Oct 11th archive.

Otis said Saturday morning at 9:30 features the largest and best Shrine parade, followed by campus tours and folks can check out the print shop.  He said it’s a family friendly event with great activities for kids.  There’ll be great food on site at the BBQ pit followed by Jim Quick and Coastline with live, free beach music at noon, according to Otis.

The Granville County Tourism web page, at https://www.visitgranvillenc.com/fall, describes it as a “celebration of North Carolina’s oldest and first home for children.”  Check out more at https://mhc-xford.org/masonic-homecoming-festival.

While on TownTalk, Otis discussed the vocational and educational aspects among other topics concerning the Masonic Home and how it serves Vance and Granville Counties and, in fact, 26 counties in NC.

(Granville County Tourism and The Masonic Home for Children are paying advertising clients of WIZS.)

Masonic Home for Children Holds Strategic Planning Retreat

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A Strategic Planning Retreat was held March 24-25 with almost 50 personnel, board members, alumni, community partners, and other stakeholders in attendance.

Friday evening’s activities included reflecting on MHCO’s past, sharing resident and staff experiences, discussing the current organizational profile, and analyzing where MHCO stands currently including internal strengths and weaknesses and external threats and opportunities for growth.

Saturday’s activities included envisioning the future and strategizing how to close the gap between MHCO’s operations in 2017 and vision for 2021.

Breakout groups revised the mission, vision, and quality statements and developed a new tagline. Goals, objectives, and initiatives were developed to enhance the sustainability of MHCO including utilization and stewardship of resources, community partnerships, and recruitment and retention of employees.

The strategic plan ideas will be compiled and discussed at the May meeting of the Board of Directors for feasibility and implementation.

This retreat was the first of many discussions about the bright and promising future of MHCO.

Thanks to all who attending!

Sixth Annual Great Landscape Day Planned at the MHCO

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6th Annual Great Landscape Day at MHCO – March 18, 2017

It’s that time of year again, March 18, 2017 will mark our 6th Annual Great Landscape Day at the Masonic Home! Thank you for your participation in the past as part of this successful Masonic Home for Children’s event.  This day of service and charity has grown from one single Girl Scout Troop to over 120 individuals representing families, businesses, churches, Lodges, and civic organizations.  The beauty that you and others have given to this Home continues today.  Our thanks again for your help in the past and for your consideration of this year’s event.  We hope you can join us and will invite others to share in this day of help and fellowship!  Come and join us for a good meal (two in fact) and the chance to bring beauty, comfort, and security to the home of a child.

When:           Saturday, March 18, 2017 – (NO RAIN DATE THIS YEAR – CALL FOR UPDATES!)

Where:          Campus of Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, NC

Schedule:      7:30am – 9am – Continental Breakfast for participants

8:30am – 12:00pm – Landscaping Event on Campus

12:00pm – Lunch and Conclusion of Event

Groups can start after 8:30am and/or leave before 12 noon if needed.  Please bring shovels, gloves, wheelbarrow, rakes, and other landscaping implements for your personal use.  A needs list of items that can be given as part of the event is available at www.mhc-oxford.org.  You must RSVP and sign-up on or before March 10, 2017 to participate and must include the number attending.  This is very important to make the most of this day. To RSVP or for more information contact MHCO at 919-603-3930 or jgrimes@mhc-oxford.org.

Thanks,

Jennifer Grimes

Financial Development Assistant & Database Manager

The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc.

600 College Street

Oxford, NC 27565

Event Notice from The Masonic Home for Children

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The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford is building on the foundations of success.  A master plan has been developed and includes options for service and program development.  You are invited to the Cobb Center at MHCO on Friday 11/11/16 from 5pm-7pm for a meet and greet.  Please join us to discuss possible plans, gather your feedback, and continue to build together for the betterment of our children.