To All Alumni:
As newly elected president of the OOAA, I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve for the next two years. I feel like it is a great honor to be able to give back to the home, which gave me a chance at life. I have talked to some individuals who feel like they have nothing in common with Oxford Orphanage. Even though they feel like this, if they receive The Spotlight, I feel sure that they would read it instead of throwing it away; this way they would still subconsciously have something in common with the home. I wonder where we alumni, some of whom have achieved more than others, would be in life without our association with the orphanage. I do know that from 1952 to 1961, the orphanage was my home, even with all the bad circumstances that occurred in my life. I try to reflect on the good times and the many individuals whom I regard as brothers and sisters. Please try to support the staff of the orphanage in their endeavors to raise the children there now. Allen Hughes, class of '62, is now the head administrator and needs our help and support. The Alumni Association needs your help to keep providing all with a great homecoming.
Thanks to Allen for the support in preparing the the Saturday picnic. He had the grounds looking like a million, along with the rent-a-johns for our convience. He also allowed the kitchen staff of Brenda Frazier and Berthine Kitchen to help with the cooking which allowed the alumni to finish by 11:00 on Friday.
Thanks to Jay Cruchfield, Don Payne, Eddie and Ronnie Strickland, Lincie Boykin Barnes, Gail and Linda Payne, George Braddock, Frank McMillian, Becky Lee, Brenda Frazier, Charlie Burton, and Berthine Kitchen for helping transport, serving and clean up at the picnic. Also thanks to Brenda for her help on Sunday at lunch and Bob Critcher for the dance preparation and clean up. Many thanks to Becky Lee and the Golf Committee for their work on the golf tournament, which brought in $22,278.87, along with $10,000 from the Alumni Association for a total of $32,278.87 that will go to the Endowment Fund. Our fund is now around $525,000. I would like to increase this to $750,000 to $1,000,000 during my term to help the home continue to survive and fund the needs of the children. If you are able to donate to this fund, please send a check to Bob Critcher made out to the Masonic Home for Children and specify that it is for the Endowment Fund. The address is:
Masonic Home for Children
Attn: Bob Critcher
600 College St.
Oxford, NC 27565-2758
Phone: 919-693-5111
Toll Free: 888-505-4357
Finally, at our board meeting the following offices were elected for the years 2008-2009:
President David Bryant '61
Vice President Nita Merser Bunker '85
Secretary Paul Tausch '59
Treasurer Bob Critcher '65
Asst. Treasurer Tina Gilbreath '89
Again, let me thank everyone for their help and support of the Alumni Association.
David Bryant
President OOAA
The purpose of the association is to promote the interests of Oxford Orphanage/ Masonic Home For Children at Oxford, and the welfare of it's Students and to perpetuate the History of the Home by:
1. Active cooperation
2. Maintaining a spirit of loyalty and devotion among it's membership for the Home.
3. Undertaking special projects developed by the president and the board of directors to promote financial assistance to the home and it's students.
