The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford has been in the business of caring for children for more than 150 years. Coming off last year’s sesquicentennial celebration, MHCO Administrator said Year 151 shines just as brightly as last year.
“It’s been an incredible journey and it’s just getting started,” Otis said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
Alumni, Shriners, pit masters and more will converge on the historic campus next weekend for the annual Homecoming, which runs Oct. 11-13.
“This whole event is (a way) for the home to say ‘thank you’,” Otis said. Thank you to the community, thank you to alumni, Shriners and all the people who support the mission of the home.
Things kick off on Friday, Oct. 11 about 5 p.m. when the barbecue team get organized for the next day’s featured food. One team travels from Delaware each year to support MHCO, Otis said.
The community is invited to come out and mingle and then stay to hear music by Brightest Light, which takes the stage about 6 p.m.
Come back early the next day, Otis said, because everything kicks off about 10 a.m. There will be amusement rides for the kids – free of charge – and then the anticipated parade begins at 11 a.m.
This year’s parade route is different, so anyone who wants to watch needs to park on the MHCO campus and find a space along the main campus drive area – the parade will NOT take place on College Street, he noted.
He encourages parade watchers to bring a chair. There will be parking attendants and golf cart shuttles for those who need a ride from their cars to the middle of campus.
The barbecue pit opens at the conclusion of the parade and folks can sample meats and sides from the teams who’ve been cooking and preparing for hours.
“You give us a donation, we’ll give you a plate,” Otis explained.
Other activities include tours through the museum galleries at Cobb Center and one of the residential cottages, too. Cory Luetjen & the Traveling Blues Band performs in the afternoon and the day’s activities will conclude about 3 p.m.
There are so many things to see and experience during the course of the weekend’s activities, which Otis said is the result of a lot of work and preparation from staff and residents alike.
“Having the kids involved is an experience for them,” he said. They can enjoy all the fun of the weekend, but they can also take pride that they helped get things ready.
Just like the Shriners Hospital, the children’s home provides care for children without asking families to pay for anything, Otis explained.
Donations of any kind – from school supplies and money to fund a weekend excursion to remembering MHCO in your estate – Otis said it’s all put to good use to help provide children with the tools they need to be successful – in school, in their career and in life.
Otis said he’s always interested in hearing from married couples who think they want to be cottage parents.
Visit https://mhc-oxford.org/ to learn more.