The Heritage Hall Renovation Project and what is it’s Purpose?

 What is the Heritage Hall Renovation Project?

• It is the complete renovation of our existing building
• Exterior improvements include:  new metal roof, window, and vinyl facial/Boxing.
• Interior improvements include:  new plumbing, electrical, heating and ari conditioning system, new relocated kitchen and bathrooms, attractive dining area, conference room, and a designated heritage room.
• New construction includes:  addition of a Bell Tower and patio are to the front of existing structure, handicap accessibility with a new ram and railings.

  The Purpose is:

•  to provide a meaningful connection between the present and the past.  The children’s home heritage and reputation result from the vision, testimonies, and achievements of the lives touched.
• to honor the many who have shared in our ministry’s history through service, support, and prayer.
• to inspire current and future children to maintain a life-long relationship with us through memories.
• to provide adequate facilities for our children, staff, churches, and visitors to enjoy.
• to provide a way to bring together our alumni, children, friends, churches, organizations, and community to collectively create a lasting legacy of our history.

  How can I Participate?

•  As a friend to the children’s home, you can become a part of the project by making a gift on any amount to the Heritage Hall Renovation Project.
• You can help by contacting other individuals or organizations and sharing information about this project with them.

  Naming Opportunities?

• Have a name engraved forever in a brick paver to be placed in the new patio area at a cost of $150.
• Have a naming opportunity on a granite bench to be placed near the entrance of the patio are for $5000.
• Have a naming opportunity on one of four larger granite benches to be placed onto the patio for $10,000.
• In addition to these opportunities, we can discuss other options by request.

  The Beauty of The Bell Tower

 For many years the old dinner bell has been a symbol of the children’s home. Especially to our alumni the bell represents an icon of heritage, history and memories of pastimes on the campus. Although, we have been unable to verify the exact time the bell was brought to the campus, one alumnus who lived at the home in the 1920’s remembers it. Other alumni have told us it has rested in various places on campus over time. The Free Will Baptist Children’s Home wants to return our historic bell to a permanent location. 

Following are some quotes from some of our alumni.

 “I am particularly excited about the plans to restore the old dinner bell. The bell has been a symbol of what the children’s home is all about. For many years it has brought people together. The Heritage Hall renovation project would not be complete without the restoration of the old dinner bell. I look forward in anticipation to the day we can celebrate the completion of the project and share our story with others.”   “I am excited to hear about the heritage hall building campaign. It is the one common place that everyone who has been involved with the home can relate to. How appropriate to take measures to preserve this building so we can enjoy the many memories for years to come. I know my fellow alumni will be as excited as I am about this project. This building is the heart of the home and needs to be preserved.”

 — Randy Faircloth , Alumnus (1965-1967), President, Alumni Association

  “The dining hall holds special memories for me not only for the meals consumed but also the many hours pent behind it; preparing fresh vegetables to be put up for the winter. It wasn’t the work I enjoyed but the companionship with the other children, mostly the “older” girls. Many secrets were shared standing in line, after the bell had rung to eat meals. I can still hear the toll of the bell and am so excited it is going to be preserved in such a special place.” 

— Judy Warren Roberson, Alumnus (1967-1977),Children’s Home Board Member

 In many ways, the bell was like a campus clock. It rang for every purpose: for meals, religious events and any other time for the children to gather. The sound of the bell meant to cease whatever we were doing and gather at appropriate places. One of its most welcome sounds was 5:00 o’clock in the evening when it told us to come in from the fields where we were working. Perhaps the most anticipated time—when we thought it would never ring—was the night for the Christmas tree gathering. The peak of my work assignments at the Orphanage was when my daily assignment was to rise at 5:00 a.m., start the wood fire in the kitchen stove and at 5:30 ring the bell as a wake-up call for everyone to “rise and shine.”

  — Dr. W. Burkette Raper, Alumnus (1936-1944) 

   “More than any structure on campus sine the establishment of the home in 1920, the bell generates more memories, more conversation and more laughter:  We were alerted by the clanging of the bell to awaken, time to eat, time to stop work, time to worship and time to celebrate…Christmas parties, movies, ballgames, watermelon cuttings, etc.   The dining hall served our nutritional needs, provided food preparatory training and was the only “daily” family setting for boys and girls, and siblings of opposite gender to gather in one room.  Our birthdays were observed in the dining room.”

 —Jerry Smith, Alumnus (1949-1960)

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               Brick Paver Information                                                                                               Print Clearly: 3 lines of text per paver                                                                     Maximum 17 characters and spaces per line.

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 # of Bricks ______________________________

 Each brick is $150.00

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