The 13th Annual Boys and Girls Home Benefit Luncheon and Silent Auction has been set for Monday, June 12th, at the Country Club of North Carolina on Morganton Road in Pinehurst.
A preview of the Silent Auction begins at 11:30 am. Attendees will be treated to the music of a professional bagpiper as they enjoy valet parking included with the purchase of an event ticket. The Luncheon will begin at 12:00 noon. After a special welcome by Representative Jamie Boles, the local high school ROTC Color Guard will begin the program, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the Golf Capital Chorus Quartet.
Since 1954, Boys and Girls Homes has provided a home-like setting, with residential counsellors providing the support and structure necessary for children to feel safe and valuable. The Homes places a strong emphasis on relationships, providing residential care, rediscovering academic success through hands-on education, and preparing children for the challenges of adulthood.
WRAL-TV News Reporter, Mikaya Thurmond, will be the featured speaker for the 2017 Benefit Luncheon. Thurmond was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned her bachelor’s degree in both Broadcast Journalism and Spanish from the University of Georgia. Her career in the TV industry began in 2012 and she was soon recognized as the best breaking news reporter by the Tennessee Associated Press. Mikaya has also earned several state and international pageant titles. She credits pageantry for building an incredible foundation for her career.
This year’s Mistress of Ceremonies is career public speaker, storyteller, and TV/radio host-producer, Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe. Known as “The Lady of Many Hats,” Highland-Sharpe is a true “edutainer” who loves encouraging and entertaining. She is a retired community college recruiter/instructor/test administer/speaker, and has served on many boards and committees in Moore County. Highland-Sharpe continues to serve as a reading and math tutor, and as a job counselor. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a graduate of Liberty University Seminary with a master’s degree in theological studies.
“Music will play a big role in this year’s program,” noted Committee Member Linda Reid Oldham. “Peter McArthur will be playing the bagpipes on the front steps as guests arrive. With 25 years of performance experience, McArthur will set the standard for the entire event for all attendees. But that’s just the start of the event. As the program begins with our young people presenting the colors, the Golf Capital Chorus Quartet will sing our National Anthem. Later in the program the Quartet will provide two sets of medleys to entertain everyone. This year’s program will indeed be special.”
The Golf Capital Chorus was organized in 1981 and currently has between 40 and 50 members. As the chorus has grown, it has become more widely recognized, performing at the Civic Center in Raleigh, in Fayetteville, and many other locations in central North Carolina. The quartet performing for the Boys and Girls Homes Luncheon, like all the chorus members, sing so they can bring gifts of hope to the less fortunate through their charitable contributions of both time and money. The Chorus has donated more than $270,000.00 to charity since its founding. Their annual show will be on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Pinecrest High School Auditorium. “Listening to the Quartet sing for the Boys and Girls Home Luncheon will definitely make you want to attend their full show” added Oldham.
“Space for this year’s Benefit Luncheon is limited,” commented Reservation Chairman Betty Hurst. “Reservations are $35.00 per seat and this includes Valet Parking. For reservations by telephone call 910-295-1819. With Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe as Mistress of Ceremonies, WRAL-TV News Reporter Mikaya Thurmond as featured speaker, and all the incredible music, I envision a capacity crowd.” Several young ladies who live on the campus of Boys and Girls Homes will be attending the luncheon. During this 13th Annual event, these young ladies will be providing special recognition to “first-timers” and those who have attended ten (10) or more luncheon events.
