Hugh's News & Commentary

In John W. Brooks' book, Mighty Moments, he discussed the children's situation at our children's home with a number of people in the community. He said to them, "I believe God would be pleased to see our children provided for in abundance . . . I would like to hear any ideas you have, and then let us agree and work together to reach our goal."

There were two key people in the events that followed namely, Miss Daisy Jones (Mrs. Eddie Morris), . . . and Mrs. Lila Berr4y, who was president of the General Woman's Auxiliary and the wife of the local pastor. the Rev. Mr. John W. Berry.

Mrs. Lila Berry called Miss Jones and John Brooks to a meeting in her home one evening. She said, "Brother Brooks, you've asked for ideas and I have one that I would like to work through The Woman's Auxiliary. I call it a 'Santa Claus Train.' The women of this conference could gather from the church members whatever supplies they could afford over a period of time. Then, on a certain day before Christmas, the members could come in their cars and trucks with their gifts and meet in the nearby town of Godwin. They could all drive together the three miles to Falcon and could make the presentation to the children from the Santa Claus Train! What do you think?"

Mr. Brooks said, "The vision seemed to be in our minds by the time Mrs. Berry finished speaking. It's a good idea!" they all said. "Let's try it!"

And try it, they did. That first year, twenty cars and trucks came from different parts of the North Carolina Conference.

Eventually the program grew and attracted surrounded communities and other conferences. The name was changed to "Harvest Train."

Now people come from Western North Carolina (Cornerstone Conference), Virginia (Appalachian and Redemption Ministries Conferences), South Carolina Conference, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Mid-Atlantic Conference.

Harvest Train has become a major project every year since its early beginning through Woman's Auxiliary and today through Women's Ministries of the IPHC with the full support of their pastors.

Harvest Train provides nearly one third of the total csh income and provision of the Children's Home each year.

As the late Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know the rest of the story."

[Editor's Note: For a number of years the Harvest Train would originate in Dunn at Gospel Tabernacle, and the cars and trucks would drive down I-95 to Falcon. With the increase of traffic that apparently was not as attractive nor was it safe. In recent years that practice has changed and it all begins now at the Culbreth Memorial Auditorium, and the train goes through the community of Falcon and around the Children's Home, and back to the auditorium.

I enjoy making the trip ever year. Melvine and I have made the journey for many years. Last year, Stephanie, our daughter who is a kindergarten teacher, went with me. This year the three of us, Melvine, Stephanie and I plan to drive up on Sunday, November 21, and spend two nights at Hampton Inn in Dunn, the tallest building in the metropolis of Dunn.

Those traveling from New York to Florida have discovered they are half way to Florida when they get to Dunn.That is the reason for so many motels and one hotel. Hugh Hoyle says, "When they get to Dunn they are only half done (Dunn).