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"Humble Beginnings: A Heritage of Healing," Remarks by Rex C. Smith on entering the 44th year
- By Rex C. Smith
Remarks by Rex C. Smith on the 30th Anniversary of the Founding
First came Ritchie, then Joe, and within a few weeks, Tyrone and Max, during July and August 1965. These four teenagers were not the “Boys of Summer”. Baseball was not what brought them together. Theirs was not a clubhouse or stadium in which thousands of fans cheered them on.
Yet Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max were to become winners, cheered on by a host of fans unheard and unseen. Their clubhouse was a 4th floor renovated attic in a one-hundred year old house in Rockville, Maryland. Their fans were advocates for children; Judge Alfred D. “Bud” Noyes, attorney Melvin Feldman, John C. Tracey who would succeed Judge Noyes as the judge in juvenile court, Elizabeth Morehouse and a juvenile probation officer – the Founders of then, the Boys Home of Montgomery County, Inc – and hundreds of individuals, clubs and organizations devoted to a vision. A vision that troubled youth - yes! children in trouble - deserved to grow, develop and mature within a “home” in the community, despite childhoods marked often by abuse, neglect and personal turmoil.
Humble beginnings to be sure.
Today, now entering our 44th year as Hearts & Homes for Youth, like Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max, we have grown, we have matured, and yet we are still humble. Our Board of Directors and our staff are now the guardians of the vision and the passion of our Founders, as were the many who served before us, passing the baton, the torch, to our keeping.
We are humbled by our long and rich history, serving thousands of kids with expanded homes and services, perhaps beyond the dreams of our Founders. We are humbled by the thousands of individuals, organizations and community leaders who have given so much, “invested” so much of themselves - their resources and their energy – to Save the Children.
The countless people who have made like investments in “our” children over the last 43 years may never know first-hand the divine purpose served by their generosity and spirit of good will. They may not ever meet the child whose life was changed, or witness the effect their investment had on that child’s future.
The return on their investment in the lives of the children is a reward that each will find and continue to feel deep within their hearts.
Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max thank you.
We thank you from the depths of our hearts.
Rex C. Smith
April, 2007
First came Ritchie, then Joe, and within a few weeks, Tyrone and Max, during July and August 1965. These four teenagers were not the “Boys of Summer”. Baseball was not what brought them together. Theirs was not a clubhouse or stadium in which thousands of fans cheered them on.
Yet Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max were to become winners, cheered on by a host of fans unheard and unseen. Their clubhouse was a 4th floor renovated attic in a one-hundred year old house in Rockville, Maryland. Their fans were advocates for children; Judge Alfred D. “Bud” Noyes, attorney Melvin Feldman, John C. Tracey who would succeed Judge Noyes as the judge in juvenile court, Elizabeth Morehouse and a juvenile probation officer – the Founders of then, the Boys Home of Montgomery County, Inc – and hundreds of individuals, clubs and organizations devoted to a vision. A vision that troubled youth - yes! children in trouble - deserved to grow, develop and mature within a “home” in the community, despite childhoods marked often by abuse, neglect and personal turmoil.
Humble beginnings to be sure.
Today, now entering our 44th year as Hearts & Homes for Youth, like Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max, we have grown, we have matured, and yet we are still humble. Our Board of Directors and our staff are now the guardians of the vision and the passion of our Founders, as were the many who served before us, passing the baton, the torch, to our keeping.
We are humbled by our long and rich history, serving thousands of kids with expanded homes and services, perhaps beyond the dreams of our Founders. We are humbled by the thousands of individuals, organizations and community leaders who have given so much, “invested” so much of themselves - their resources and their energy – to Save the Children.
The countless people who have made like investments in “our” children over the last 43 years may never know first-hand the divine purpose served by their generosity and spirit of good will. They may not ever meet the child whose life was changed, or witness the effect their investment had on that child’s future.
The return on their investment in the lives of the children is a reward that each will find and continue to feel deep within their hearts.
Ritchie, Joe, Tyrone and Max thank you.
We thank you from the depths of our hearts.
Rex C. Smith
April, 2007
