ABCHomes dedicates $1.5 million facility
Lisa Watson
Arkansas Baptist News

Leslie* beamed as she stepped over the threshold into her brand new room. Inscribed on the wall was the word “peace,” something she’s hoping to find in her new home.

“I love it,” she said. A fourth grader who lives at the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children (ABCHomes) facility in Monticello, Leslie just moved into the brand new Chesley and Elizabeth Pruet Cottage, which is part of a new facility recently constructed on the campus.

Aptly named “Miracle in Monticello,” the $1.5 million facility, which also includes the Beverly Strain-Eads and John Eads Cottage for boys, was dedicated Sept. 13, on the Monticello campus. New curbs and gutters and a playground also were constructed on the campus.

Houseparent and relief houseparent dwellings are located in the middle of the building, along with office space and storage. Both cottages feature state-of-the-art kitchen facilities.

Donors provided resources for construction and furnishings for individual rooms in honor and memory of several people.

A teenaged boy living at the Children’s Home drew the original design for the cottage. He based the drawings on his housemother’s description of her “ideal” cottage.

Architect Larry Black of Black, Corley, Owens and Hughes incorporated the boy’s design into the final plans. The contractor was Van Tassell-Proctor, Inc.

Beverly Strain-Eads and her husband, John, who drove up from their home in New Port Richey, Fla., in strong winds and rain from Hurricane Ike, were in attendance. One of the cottages bears the couple’s names.

The long drive was worth it to Beverly. Though Mary Lou Heard, ABCHomes development officer, sent photos detailing the cottage’s progress, she said, “Seeing it all come together is awesome.”

She believes God has great things in store for the children who reside in the facility.

“You never know, there may be another Billy Graham living in there right now,” she said.

Beverly believes God has used different people in many ways to provide resources to complete the facility. “It truly is a Miracle in Monticello,” she said.

David Perry, ABCHomes executive director, thanked those who attended the event for their participation. “You have touched the lives of our kids,” he said.

He also gave commemorative plates to several people, including donors and those who helped with the building’s construction.

Other speakers included John Ross, ABCHomes development officer; Frank Glidewell, Sebastian County state representative; Claudette Green, ABCHomes trustee and former resident; and Sarah Teague, ABCHomes board of trustees president.

Following a ribbon cutting by children who will be living in the facility, dedication attendees toured the building.

*Name changed to protect identity.