Welcome to the newest members of our Guardian Angel Society – the people whose big hearts have led them to make extraordinary gifts of time and resources to children and families.

Apex United Methodist Church is the embodiment of faith in action – a force for good, living fully into John Wesley’s vision that “the world is our parish.” Its ministries number in the dozens to help and comfort people who are grieving, sick, homeless, hungry, imprisoned, and lonely. So it goes without saying that we have a very special connection to Apex United Methodist.

This church has opened its heart to us whenever we have called – and that includes the congregation, the Sunday School classes, the Circles – United Methodist Women and Men. They never fail to step up. They have helped us with foster care events, Christmas gifts, journey bags, vacation bible school collections – you name it.

Apex United Methodist is a 14-year sponsor of our winter gala and a true community partner with us, serving vulnerable children and their families.

Rachel and Albert Blackmon of Cary were introduced to Methodist Home for Children when they attended our winter gala in 2015. Just 6 months later, as it turned out, Albert joined our board of directors.

It doesn’t usually happen that fast, but Albert came to us with a unique and valuable skill set. A data scientist at SAS, his work with the state of Florida demonstrated how analytics can improve and save the lives of children in the juvenile justice and foster care systems.

So Albert brought to the board his analytical skills and passion for helping children, serving on our research and review committee and investing untold hours over 8 years in the operations and future success of Methodist Home for Children.

Albert now manages a SAS sales team covering 4 states. And Rachel – a former middle school educator – volunteers at the schools of their 2 children – and their church, Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian.

Both Albert and Rachel are loyal to the children and families in need of our care, and we are grateful for their support.

Molly and John Chiles of Raleigh are longtime supporters of our work. Parents of three – they’ve leaned hard into our mission of serving children and families, having adopted from the Methodist Home in their home state of Ohio.

The Chiles moved away from Ohio to Raleigh to enjoy their retirement years. John is a retired physician. Molly is a former educator with a strong interest in the arts, having served on the board of Toledo’s Museum of Art. She and John are avid art collectors and they earned national kudos for their thoughtful restoration of a mid-century home long abandoned here in Raleigh.

Molly and John are devoted members of their church, Edenton Street United Methodist. Molly has been involved in the women’s group there, and helped us with church-sponsored adoption parties. She’s also helped us celebrate our students who are living their dreams of going to college.

The Chiles are members of our Cassie Bright Legacy Society with a special planned gift for the benefit of children who will need our services in the future. We are grateful for their 15 years of generosity.

Newcomb and Company is known as a trusted name in heating, cooling, and plumbing. You should also know that Newcomb is a company with a heart, supporting our gala as a sponsor for the last decade.

Newcomb was founded 70 years ago here in Raleigh – and for 36 of those years, it has employed our board member Paul Thomas. Paul started out as controller of the company and worked his way to president by 2019. In his capacity, Paul has graciously shepherded Newcomb’s corporate support for our events – for which we are thankful.

Paul has been a steady, constant force on our Board of Directors since 2018 – serving on our Audit-Finance Committee and our Foundation Board. He’s also a board member at the Tammy Lynn Center here in Raleigh. He and his wife, Beth, are members of Edenton Street United Methodist Church – and supporters of our work since 1999.