The Noyes home has a very good staff and several volunteers that are very passionate about the care of these children. They take children from one day old to 18 years, provide a roof over their head, food, a bed to sleep in and most of all love.
I used to go to school with those kids in the 1960’s. There was one girl in my class who wore the same dress every day. I remember thinking, If I’m ever able to help those kids out, I will. Now, there are around 40 children that call it home every night. They’re there out of no fault of their own. Most are homeless because their parents have fallen on hard times.
I just wish you could see this home! It’s unlike anything you could imagine. They have real beds to sleep in, not cots. Most sleep two to a room and can decorate their side of the room however they want. They have beautiful stained glass windows throughout the building, and all have been designed and donated by supporters of the home. My wife and I have a window she designed and surprised me with!
The window included a John Deere tractor because I do some farming. When the folks at Noyes Home saw the design, they mentioned they wanted a garden because a lot of these children have lived off very little good food; some have never had vegetables or meat. So when I heard about KCP&L’s microgrant program, I told the Noyes Home to apply, and they got the grant.
A group of KCPL volunteers from Lake Road and T&D planted the trees for the orchard this spring. With the help of RT Turner and Wanda Atkins, we were able to get 20 trees planted in just a short amount of time. These trees will be bearing fruit for many years to come!
Last year, as a KCP&L volunteer project, the Lake Road and T&D employees planted new shrubs and flowers in front of the building. They also stained and weatherproofed the wood wheelchair ramp and also did general cleanup of the grounds and put new mulch in the flower beds.
On July 15, the home will have a Farmers Market-themed block party that KCP&L and myself help sponsor. I made a tractor train for my granddaughters that I took up there last year, and gave all the kids rides. Some of the people I work with came up and cooked hamburgers and hotdogs, and it was a blast. It is open to the public to keep people aware of what a special place this is. If you would like to make the drive up to St. Joseph, I guarantee it will put a smile on your face! It’s a real good time. ~Steve Adams