Vicki Hewitt, director of communications at the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, estimated that about 450 people, including former students and staff, were at the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries reunion Saturday.
“It definitely could be more than that. Our gym was packed,” she said. “It was probably the biggest event we ever had on campus.”
STCHM alumni from every decade since the home was founded in 1952 enjoyed the day, coming from locations as far away as France, she said.
“People were connecting in a way they never have done before,” she said. “For some it was the first time they have ever been back on the campus in 40 years.”
Hugs and laughter were shared as old friends reunited and visited the cottages they had lived in during their time at STCHM.
Tears also flowed, some happy and some sad, as many remembered the good times at STCHM and some of the painful memories of their past.
Those attending spent the afternoon sharing stories, looking through old photo albums and yearbooks, strolling the campus and swimming. Many alumni also spent time searching for the paver with their name inscribed on it, along with the year they came to live at STCHM, on the special walkway outside Piper Children’s Center.
South Texas Children’s Home Ministries holds a reunion every five years, and this year’s reunion was the largest yet.
Facebook and the Internet played a large role in spreading the word, as many alumni recently connected for the first time in years on Facebook.
Thanks to the global medium, word spread further than it had before.
“We had people from all over the United States,” Hewitt said.
“It was just an amazing day,” Hewitt said. “Everyone that I have spoken to felt the same way. It was just awesome to watch.”
All Homecoming 2010 photos can be viewed on the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries page at www.facebook.com.
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