Former residents of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes reunite April 26-27

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Former residents of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes tour the Lakeland Campus of FBCH during a reunion weekend April 26-27. See story on page 4.

JOHNSON

LAKELAND (FBCH)—Former residents of the Lakeland Campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home travelled across the country to gather for a special reunion event in Lakeland during the weekend of April 26-27.

Many of the residents attending the reunion lived at the Children’s Home between 1930 and 1970. Veda Heller the earliest resident in attendance lived at the Children’s Home from 1929 until 1944.

A memorial service was held on Sunday commemorating the friends and loved ones who have since passed away. Many of the current residents of the Lakeland campus attended the service as well. Heller spoke at the service recalling such memories as graduating from high school and becoming the first student to borrow money from the Children’s Home for college expenses.

“Many of you (children) here will grow to be as old as we are and you will understand the importance of your past. That is why we support the Children’s Home, because they gave us the chance to become who we are,” said Heller.

Heller was not the only alumni with fond memories and appreciation. Frank Scott, a resident in 1935, recalls living during the depression and sometimes wondering if he would eat on any particular day. When he arrived at the Children’s Home he was amazed at the amount of food that was available. “I remember walking in and seeing bowls filled with food at a dining table,” said Scott.

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John Eagan (left), of Mill Valley, Calif., and Pleas Williams of North Highlands, Calif., traveled the furthest to attend the Lakeland reunion and reminisce with other former residents of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.

As residents shared stories from the past it was obvious to see that the relationships and ties they made more than 50 years ago are still very much part of their lives today. “You become as close to the other children in the home as you do some of your own relatives. There is a bonding that takes place just living together and working together day by day,” said Heller.

Sarah Johnson, a resident at the Children’s Home from 1938 until she finished college in 1948, describes the strong bonds that many of the former residents have with one another. “We were all very close and we don’t ever want to lose that. We are like a support system for each other. We are all dear friends who have experienced all aspects of life together. We grew up in a different time and it was the Children’s Home that helped us become who we are. I don’t know what I would be without my dear friends. I need them.”

Johnson married her husband Joe Johnson and joined the staff of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. In 1957 Sarah and her husband Joe started a branch campus in Miami where they served faithfully for seven years.

Jerry Haag, President of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes was in attendance at the reunion and shared his gratitude for the alumni as well as the vision for the future of the ministry. “We have an incredible group of alumni. However, the word “alumni” is such a poor choice of word for the children that have grown up with us in past generations. They are not alumni. They are our family and will be our family forever!”

“We value the incredible heritage we have over the past 104 years. Our strength of heritage comes from those that have gone before us and sacrificed financially to make this home possible. Our strength of heritage comes from the staff that accepted God's call to a mission field of children. Our strength of heritage is firmly established in the children that have grown up in our homes, many of whom now have children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren of their own. Each is a part of our heritage and our family.”

“As we recognize and celebrate the lives of each of our alumni, it spurs each of us on to meet the needs of the children of today. Our children of today will come back home one day with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of their own. Our past and our future come together as we see this incredible ministry that impacts the lives and eternities of generations,” said Haag.

FBCH is an agency of the Florida Baptist Convention and has been providing Christ-centered services for abused, neglected, or orphaned children since 1904. FBCH provides residential care, foster care, emergency shelter care, day training for developmentally disabled adults, maternity care, and adoption services. FBCH is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children.

For more information or to make a contribution contact the Children’s Homes at 863-687-8811 or online at www.FBCHomes.org.