Sunshine

COVER STORY
“For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
hroughout its 123-year history, Methodist Children’s
Home has been blessed to have tens of thousands
of benefactors who have opened their hearts to the Tyouth and families of this ministry. These friends of MCH
have kept it thriving for well over a century by giving of their
talents, time and treasure in support of the mission to offer
hope to children, youth and families throughout Texas and
New Mexico.
Even from the beginning, the doors of the Methodist
Children’s Home were able to stay open because of its loyal
friends. In the late 1890s, the Reverend Abe Mulkey and his
wife Louisa were famous evangelists traveling from city to
city, and their ministry included spreading the word about
the Methodist orphanage. The funds they raised literally
kept the orphanage afloat during its early years.
Forty years later, another family took special notice of
MCH when Joe Perkins saw a group of children playing on
the front lawn of MCH and decided to give them a bushel
of apples. From there his generosity grew and he passed on
his passion to the next generations. His family hosted annual
Christmas parties at MCH for 70 years where children
were entertained by special guests and treated to candy and
money. Although this tradition is somewhat different, it still
continues today. The Perkins and Prothro families were also
instrumental in raising support to build cottage-style home
units that make the Waco campus what it is today.
Although the faces and names have changed throughout
the years, the kindness shown
by these friends and others has
remained. This next generation
of benefactors has become
a beloved part of the MCH family
and continues to bring joy
and a renewed sense of worth to
children, youth and families of
Methodist Children’s Home.
“These gifts send a message
to each child that someone out
there loves and cares for them.
For some of our youth that may
be the first time they have received
that message,” said Trey
Oakley, vice president of development
at MCH.
Just as the Perkins family
passed on this legacy of giving
Rev. Abe Mulkey and
from generation to generation, his wife Louisa made financial
gifts to MCH and
MCH has been blessed to partner
helped solicit additional
support that kept the
with three similar groups who
Home in operation in the
have made it a tradition to give early 1900s.
to the ministry year after year.
These three are just a few examples of the countless ways generous
benefactors support the mission and show youth and
children they care. (continued on page 4)
The Methodist Orphans Home Ball Jar
Since Methodist Children’s Home was established
in 1890, it has been blessed by faithful benefactors
who have provided fi nancial gifts and gifts-in-kind to
support this ministry. One of MCH’s great treasures,
an original Methodist Orphans Home canning jar, is
displayed in the new Perkins Heritage Home Visitors
Center on the Waco campus.
When Dr. Hubert Johnson became the Home’s
fi fth administrator in 1933, he established a
“give what you have” campaign to enlist support for
the agency during times of economic hardship. The
canning jars were distributed to churches and other
friends, who fi lled them with fruits and vegetables to
help feed the children at the Home.
Although the jar has been out of circulation for
many years, it serves as a symbol of the sacrifi ce and
generosity of every friend who has supported this ministry
through fi nancial gifts and gifts-in-kind.
Sunshine I Winter 2013
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