In the 1950s, Tom Simmons was living on the streets of Wilmington when police picked him up and drove him to the Boy’s Home of North Carolina. Today, Dr. Tom Simmons is an accomplished educator and was one of several featured speakers at BGHNC’s Platinum Anniversary Employee Celebration on Oct. 8 in the Chapel and Fellowship Hall on our Lake Waccamaw campus. 

The organization hosted a formal program, a history timeline walk and lunch for employees as the first of two celebrations of its 70th anniversary. The second celebration is a 70th Gala at 5 pm on Nov. 2 on our Lake Waccamaw campus.

“It just shows that what you do makes a difference,” Dr. Simmons said to the audience of about 75 employees and residential youth. “It’s true- it makes a difference to that one. There are some of us that remember what you have done for us, and we’ll never forget.”

Lindsay Garner-McGraw, a Teaching Parent, told tearful stories about her earlier life as a resident on campus.

“Being here now, I remember the people that made a difference in my life,” she said, as the children in her cottage cheered her on. “I know what a difference it makes to have people in your life that support you and speak life and speak joy and speak happiness and really, safety.”

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or a sponsorship to the 70th Gala on Nov. 2, please email johnna.harrelson@bghnc.org. (Individual tickets are $100 each and benefit our programs of care.) Come celebrate with us!