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Rye Gives $10,000 to Boys and Girls Homes of NC

LAKE WACCAMAW  –  In its latest round of charitable grants, the Rye Foundation made an investment of $10,000 in the life-changing work of the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina.

Known statewide for “making futures brighter since 1954”, the Homes served over 400 children during the past year in a wide array of services.

Rye leaders said their philanthropy will help the Homes to:

  • Expand music opportunities for children on campus.
  • Create the Rye Leadership Award, to be presented to a child at the year-end recognition banquet.
  • Provide pandemic-related equipment and supplies for Rotary Cottage.

A recent site tour was arranged for the Foundation and included visits to Rogers Chapel, Rotary Cottage, and an on-campus classroom at Thomas Academy. The informative tour showcased several opportunities to support and encourage children.

Ray Cockrell, of the Homes, expressed his appreciation for the gift. “This is the third time that our friends at Rye have made a significant investment”, he said. “We are thankful for their support, and we promise to spend these funds wisely as we carry out our mission of helping children and families.”

Funding Spotlight: Brighter Days Camp

MOUNY AIRY – One of the Rye Foundation’s recent philanthropic gifts is helping children who are grieving the loss of a sibling, parent, or grandparent.

Counselors and ministers help the children to express their feelings, and then share the great news that God wants them to enjoy “brighter days” in the near future.

Last summer, a total of 40 boys and girls participated in the Brighter Days Children’s Grief Camp. Sponsored by Mountain Valley Hospice, the innovative and upbeat camp included sessions held in Wilkesboro, Lowgap, and Mount Airy.

Every day featured significant time for reflection, writing, singing, and praying. Campers wore tee shirts with Bible verses from Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 3:4. That passage of Scripture talks about the seasons of life, and promises that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

A delegation from the Rye Foundation attended a Celebration of Life service held in the Surry County town of Dobson. Several children shared about their camp experiences, both through their music and poetry.

A moving and emotional moment occurred when each child released a balloon, and reflected upon a special memory of their loved one.

Leaders of the Rye Foundation are thankful for the opportunity to provide hope and healing to these special children.

Ribbon-Cutting Held for Prison Ministry in Columbus County

TABOR CITY  -  Friends and supporters from southeastern North Carolina participated in a festive dedication ceremony for the Matthew 25 Center, a 5,160 square foot structure built to provide overnight accommodations for family members of inmates at the nearby Tabor Correctional Institution.

The Rye Foundation made a $10,000 charitable gift for the project, and the children’s activity room has been named the Rye Children’s Room.

Retired banker Burnett Coleman led the region-wide campaign to raise funds from  businesses, churches, and individuals. He explained the purpose of the new ministry center in three words  -  “maintaining family relationships.” He said that the prison has a population of 1,750 inmates, and that children staying at the new center will receive love, support, and Christian hospitality.

Warren Steen, the President of the Rye Foundation, attended the ribbon-cutting event and spoke about the importance of the center. “Every child who comes here will meet positive role models who can share a message of encouragement,” he said. “It is vitally important for these children to learn that there is a much better life than a life of crime.”

Research studies have shown that children of prisoners face many obstacles, and need adult  role models who will provide guidance and stability. Helping children of prisoners is a top priority for the Rye Foundation, and substantial gifts have been made for similar projects in Taylorsville, Burgaw, and Winston-Salem.

Magazine, Three Newspapers Feature Rye Philanthropic Gifts

A feature article in Forsyth Family magazine is providing widespread publicity for the statewide charitable work of the Rye Foundation.

Titled “Rye Foundation Funds Special Camps for Special Children,” the widely-read magazine focused its reporting on four camps which have received Rye funding:

— In Mount Airy, the Hospice-sponsored Brighter Days Children’s Grief Camp helps boys and girls who have experienced the loss of a sibling or parent.

— In Asheboro, Camp Caraway provides a safe setting for children who have a parent in prison.

— In Clemmons, Merriwood Christian Camp offers scholarship aid for children of missionaries.

— In King, the YMCA Camp Hanes offers two sessions of “Camp Corral”, aimed at children who have lost a parent on the battlefield.

The article explains that one of Rye’s top priorities is to enhance and expand the impact of camps. Over the years, the foundation has helped to build chapels, construct cabins, provide curriculum materials, and fund scholarships.

In addition to the magazine coverage, three newspapers have recently reported on Rye charitable gifts. These include the Daily Advance in Elizabeth City, the Perquimans Weekly in Hertford and the Biblical Recorder in Cary.

Reprints from the publications are available at the foundation office.