MonticelloLive

Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes has announced that an Arkansas Baptist donor and an anonymous couple have given $500,000 toward the completion of a new home at the Children’s Home in Monticello. Mrs. Chesley Pruet of El Dorado and a couple, who asked not to be identified, contributed $250,000 each to the building project, known as the “Miracle in Monticello.” Pruet has been a long-time and generous supporter of ABCHomes. A gazebo located in the prayer garden on the Monticello campus is named in memory of her late husband.
   
The gifts to ABCHomes will help construct and furnish new living quarters on the Monticello campus for 16 of the Homes’ youngest children. “God’s presence was in the midst of these two gifts,” says John Ross, retired ABCHomes development officer. “These gifts were God’s answer to many prayers.”

Designed by architect Larry Black of Black, Corley & Owens, P.A. of Benton, the new 11,000-square-foot home will replace an aging cottage in need of numerous, costly repairs. A former resident and his houseparent created the original design. Jonesboro builders Robin and Jud Nix of Nix Construction have agreed to supervise construction of the home and put it in the dry.

The duplex-type layout features a living/dining area, kitchen, laundry room, conference room, craft area,16  bath/bedrooms for children.   It also includes three apartments for houseparents.  Monticello campus director Randy Luper praised the two generous gifts, which he says will make a difference in the lives of many children. “The new home will improve the quality of life for each child and staff member and make hiring and retaining houseparents easier,” he notes.

The children are also excited about their new home. “Our new home will give us a place in the living room to all sit together as one big family, on one big couch,” notes Lance, 5. “Our new home means we have room to invite our friends over to play,” shares Lisa, 9.

175 friends of ABCHomes from across Arkansas attended “Miracle at the Mansion” at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock hosted by The Women’s Volunteer Board of ABCHomes on October 19, 2006.  The event was planned to increase awareness of the 350 – 400 children in the care of ABCHomes every year and announce plans for the new home in Monticello.

ABCHomes’ goal for “Miracle in Monticello” is $1,292,000 to be used for construction, furnishings and an endowment fund for long term maintenance.  By Thanksgiving, over $700,000 and additional in-kind donations had already been committed. Groundbreaking is planned for next spring.  Several naming opportunities for construction and furnishings are still available.  For more information, call  Randy Luper  - 870-367-5358 in Monticello or Mary Lou Heard at ABCHomes’ Home Office in Little Rock 501-376-4791, ext. 5168.