Being a superhero can take many forms. While our world doesn’t have superheroes like The Flash or Iron Man, it does have others. This includes the people who work with the Children’s Home Society (CHS) and people like John and Betty Hendrick.
For many years, the Hendrick’s have been holding an annual Barn Sale as a fundraiser for different causes. In the beginning, around 20 years ago, funds raised from the sale went to the Oak Grove Methodist Church to help fund the addition of bathrooms, a fellowship hall, a steeple and renovate the sanctuary. Afterward, funds from the subsequent sales went to the Ballengee Farm Club for needed renovations. Then the Children’s Home Society came into the picture and has been the recipient of the funds for the past few years.
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia has been helping find homes for children since 1896. They provide a variety of services to ensure the safety and well-being of children all across the state. This includes foster programs, adoption programs, emergency shelters, family resource centers, child advocacy centers and more. On May 8, 2021, The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia celebrated 125 years of service to the children of the state. The organization has bases in different parts of the state to best accommodate as many children as possible. This includes 13 locations and nine emergency shelters. The Hendrick’s Barn Sale is for the Lewisburg site. This site works with children in Summers, Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties. All of the funds raised will go to support their foster and adoption programs as well as their emergency shelter in Rupert.
One Barn Sale has already occurred this year; however, due to overwhelmingly generous donations of items, the Hendrick’s and Children’s Home Society have decided to host a second one. This sale will take place on Friday, Sept. 3, and Saturday, Sept 4. The sale will begin at 8 a.m. on both days. Friday will go until 4 p.m. and will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
In regards to why they hold these sales, the Hendricks said, “It is payback time for all of the blessings in our lives.” As to why they have chosen the Children’s Home Society, Betty Hendrick noted that adoption is close to their hearts. One reason for this is their own two adopted children. Betty said, “The Children’s Home Society is important to me because, number one, I have two adopted children who are in their 50s now, and I’ve always been an advocate for kids that need a home and because once my husband and I retired here we saw that there were so many children in need that didn’t have the opportunity that other kids had so we kind of embraced it and held fundraisers.” She went on to say that the Barn Sale is only one of the fundraisers they hold for the Children’s Home Society. In addition, they also have a “Make it Right for Kids Night” at the State Fair Grounds each year. Betty said, “We do it because there are so many children in need and adoption is so very close to our hearts.”
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” – Unknown.
If you are interested in fostering or adoption or would like to learn more about the Children’s Home Society, contact Mary Carr at 304-647-3430 or CHS by mail at 9579 Seneca Trail South, Lewisburg WV 24901. You can also visit the CHS website at www.childhswv.org.
The Barn Sale will have many items including tools, antiques, clothing and household items. There will also be food available for both breakfast and lunch. It is located at Hendrick’s Pleasant View Farms. The address is 4048 War Ridge Road, Ballengee.
