Happy birthday. The YWCA of High Point just entered the nonagenarian age. No need to reach for the dictionary. That simply means that the YWCA of High Point is celebrating 90 years of making a difference in our community. That deserves a WOW.

The first president in 1920 was Edith Sharrod. Throughout the past nine decades, the YWCA of High Point has continued their dedication to meet the needs of women and children.

The YWCA celebrated this happy occasion at their annual meeting and fundraiser held recently at the High Point Country Club. Past presidents Tonia Stephenson, Ann York, Marianne Hayworth, Lou Cater and 2009 president Marlene Baruch joined in singing Happy Birthday as the decorated cake was brought out. Cater, who was president from 1998-1999 and now serves on the YWCA Advisory Panel recalled when she was a Jolly Y and moved to High Point from Winston-Salem, “Dot Easter was director then. I remember an elderly African American woman slowly walking up the steps to the YWCA. She asked us, ‘Is this the place young women come for help?’ We said ‘yes” and she then said, ‘I have a granddaughter.’ That scene describes exactly what we (YWCA) are here for and that is to look out for each other.”

I must digress for a quick promo. Please put April 21 on your calendar. That is the date of the annual YWCA Administrative Professionals Appreciation Luncheon at the High Point Country Club. Because I serve on the committee, I can tell you that there will be a speaker who will leave you laughing, door prizes, goodie bags and a fashion show in addition to recognizing the administrative professional of the year!

Everyone needs a “good friend” and each year the YWCA presents the “Good Friend of YWCA Award,” their highest honor to those whose contributions to the YWCA have been “priceless.” This is the first year that there has been an individual and a corporation receive the award. The YWCA has been very dear to the heart of Jim Morgan since he met Ann, his wife of over 46 years at a dance sponsored by the YWCA. His support has been multifaceted and indeed “priceless.” The script couldn’t have been written any better. His comment when he was given the award? “Thanks to the YWCA for being here for us. I have already signed my pledge card!”

Marty Heim, owner of Marty Designs has given generously of her time to the YWCA. In addition to serving as a board member, Heim has been a media partner and has designed and maintained the YWCA website. Marty Heim with her caring spirit is indeed “priceless.”

After testimonials and a video, Baruch handed over the gavel to 2010 president Karen Resh, who also served as president in 2002. Resh stepped up to the task immediately, “I want to challenge you not only to give money but your time and your prayers.”

Next, I want to thank Ray Bretzmann for inviting me to the “Chili on a Chilly Day” dinner held in the new Family Life Center at First Presbyterian Church. This dinner had a dual function, First it honored parishioners Eileen and Winfred Douglas and Gerald Payne, who have been recipients of the “Good Samaritan Award” presented by Open Door Ministries. Secondly, this dinner served as a fundraiser for Open Door Ministries and was one of several being held this year.

I usually don’t throw statistics at you but here are of few from Open Door Ministries: 12,000 meals served monthly at the Father’s Table, 70 families assisted with utility bills each month to avoid eviction, 1800 beds filled each month at the homeless shelter, 60 families assisted with food each month, families struggling financially helped through the Housing Stabilization Program begun in 2009, 10 individuals enrolled in the Alcohol & Drug Services treatment program at the shelter each month and the list goes on and on.

Part of a prayer for that evening dinner encompasses the mission of Open Door Ministries, “Hear our prayers that the hungry will be filled with good things and the shivering given shelter.”

You probably don’t receive the Sunday Times from Perth, Australia, so let me update you with an interview written halfway around the world about High Point’s acclaimed tenor and four-time Grammy Award winner Tony Griffey as he reprised his lead role in “Peter Grimes.” Not surprisingly Griffey won rave reviews by the Australian Stage which said, “As the loner, outcast Grimes, Griffey is awe-inspiring, bringing just the right amount of pathos and madness to the role. Grime’s final aria, sung almost completely without instruments, yanked at the heart strings and brought tears to my (and probably the rest of the audience’s) eyes.”

In his interview, Griffey gave us more insight of this High Pointer and his philosophy. “I had an epiphany several years ago when I realized I wasn’t a singer 24/7 – I had also been given other gifts. I worked for seven years with special-needs children and adults so I understand that feeling of the outsider and how other people feel to not be included. It’s a role that I do relate to very closely. I’m a person who has always fought for the underdog and for people that are misunderstood,” he says. “I do a lot of fundraising for the homeless shelter in my hometown and the mental health association, and I think it’s important as someone in the public eye that we do these things. I think we’ve all felt at some point in our lives that feeling of loneliness or isolation or like we didn’t just quite fit in,” he said.

Finally, please keep 5-year-old Kate Thornton in your prayers. She is the little girl who is courageously fighting leukemia and became the “poster” child for the American Red Cross for their blood drives and also for the United Way of Greater High Point. Her grandmother Glenda Williamson shared with me the recent journal entry by Kate’s father Joe posted on Feb. 2.

“Yesterday, we were told that Kate’s cancer is back. She has relapsed. The odds have just taken a dive. She will start aggressive chemo and will need a bone marrow transplant at a later date. Please pray for her and ask everyone you know to pray in earnest for her. I do not know what God’s plan is. I am trying hard not to question why this has to happen to my precious little girl.”

Please pray for the entire Thornton family.

MARY BOGEST is an artist and writer who resides in High Point | MSBogest@aol.com