Magic Awaits Behind the Gates

Photography by Benjamin Galland

Are you looking for an opportunity to dine and dance under the oaks for a cause? Come out to Dinner Under the Stars the evening of October 19. Dinner will be served under a beautiful tent on the historic campus of Morningstar Children and Family Services, located on Highway 99. According to Beth VanDerbeck, CEO of Morningstar, one of the most often asked questions about Morningstar is “What’s behind those gates?” There is a story behind the gates. While Morningstar has been serving children with developmental disabilities since 1996, the gates have stood on the property since the late 1940s. Originally established as a children’s home during this period, the property has a (continues)

history dating back to the 1700s when it was Elizafield Plantation. The state of Georgia acquired the land, and it became Santo Domingo State Park. After the park closed, Ardell Nation, Boys’ Estate founder, acquired the property and erected the gates as a symbol of hope for boys in need of a place to call home. Today, the gates still stand as a symbol that all who enter may find hope.

Today, Morningstar Children and Family Services is a local non-profit with over 100 team members serving children every day. The mission of Morningstar is to be a sanctuary where

transformative teaching and healing affirms children through real relationships. Established in 1996 to help children with profound developmental disabilities through residential programming, today Morningstar also offers foster care, and community counseling programs in Brunswick and Reynolds, Georgia. In 2018, the agency served 483 children across these three programs. Morningstar is connecting kids with brighter days and making a real impact in the community. All proceeds from the event go back into the programs of Morningstar. According to Beth VanDerbeck, CEO of Morningstar, “we have a great story to tell. We are serving a group of exceptional children and providing opportunities for children to heal.” “Our team, including our Board, works very hard to provide these opportunities, and we couldn’t do it without significant community support,” says VanDerbeck. “We are especially proud of the impact our community counseling program has on children here in the community. This is where we see a real opportunity to grow in our capacity to serve,” VanDerbeck noted. The agency served 385 children in the counseling program last year.

While Morningstar has a statewide board, reflective of serving children from all of Georgia, many board members are local. Golden Isles resident, Rick Shelnutt, recalls driving

through the gates on a tour with his friend and board member Nick Doster and being struck by the work being done on the campus. Linda Sewell, another local board member, says, “The Morningstar Board realizes the dire need of the children we serve. Every child comes into this world with their own set of needs. The focus of the Morningstar Board is to improve the lives of these children staying at Morningstar who live with autism or are mentally and emotionally challenged. We are working hard to expand our counseling services into the Brunswick community to provide our services to many of the children and teenagers in need.” Chip Beaton, a local attorney who gives his time to serve on the Board, says, “Morningstar’s mission fulfills Christ’s command to serve the least of these. I have enjoyed seeing the strides the organization has taken and look forward to its bright future.”

What does the future hold for Morningstar? According to VanDerbeck, “One of the greatest challenges facing our leadership is the restoration of our buildings on the residential campus. We must bring our facilities up to match the quality of our services.” Morningstar will launch its capital effort later this year. Needs include new roofs, plumbing upgrades, and a complete overhaul of the gymnasium, the hub of the residential life on the campus of Morningstar. “We are going to need to call on the community to be generous in supporting the future of an amazing group of children,” added Lisa Johnson.

On October 19, everyone will have the opportunity to see the magic behind the gates and help support the future of Morningstar at the second annual Dinner Under the Stars. The evening is all about showcasing local and sustainable foods. Highlighting local farmers of the land and the sea, the team from Halyards Catering will prepare a five-course feast and serve it up in a unique setting. The event begins at 6:00 p.m., and dinner seating is around 7:15. Suzy and the Bird Dogs, a popular local band, will be returning this year to entertain the crowd, so you’ll be able to dance under the stars.

If you snag a ticket to the event, when you come through those historic gates, you can expect a culinary experience that is like no other. When Lisa Johnson accepted the position of Director of Development with Morningstar, she had been working with Dave Snyder and his team for several years, putting on events in other cities. She immediately knew that she wanted to showcase the talents of the Halyards team in their back yard. For the inaugural event in 2018, Dave reached out to local vendors like Sapelo Sea Farms and Canewater Farms to provide a fantastic experience for the 200 plus guests in attendance. Once again, Dave promises a few surprises and a menu that is perfection! (continues)

Suzy and the Bird Dogs

2019 Dinner Under the Stars committee members Jenna Caldwell, Sean Stewart, Melinda Massey, Lisa Johnson, Millie Wilcox, Rick Shelnutt, Beth VanDerbeck, Lance Sabbe. (Not pictured: Wendi O’Connor, Anna Poe, John Turner, Vickie McClinton, De-Leon Peacock)

The event takes place around one of the most historic buildings on the property. Originally constructed as the welcome center for Santo Domingo State Park, today the building serves as the Morningstar Chapel. When you arrive, you will be struck by how expertly the property has been transformed into the backdrop for the evening. To set up the event, the committee mobilizes volunteers from as far away as Macon to assist with the three-day effort to build the venue. There will be chandeliers hanging from the historic live oaks, offering an opportunity for guests to see the beauty of the property, along with the artistry of the event. “Our friends at Beachview Tent Rental do a beautiful job with the outdoor dining room,” says Johnson. Beachview is one of many corporate sponsors. This year’s presenting sponsor is the Georgia Ports Authority. “We are so fortunate that GPA leadership connects with our mission,” Johnson noted. “Corporate sponsorships also pay for our residents to have a fun evening off campus during the event. This year Georgia Pacific’s sponsorship will defray costs of the children’s outing.” GP is a longtime partner with Morningstar. Every November, over 400 GP staff and retirees come to the campus for a dinner to celebrate their service.

You are going to want to arrive in time to check out the silent auction. Planning for this event has been underway since March, and the Dinner Under the Stars committee has put together an amazing auction including pieces from renowned artists Catherine Hillis and Sonia Grineva. Of course there would be art in the auction, the committee is chaired by Millie Wilcox, who is the second generation to serve on the Board of Boys’ Estate, the original children’s home established on the property. Millie’s mother, Mildred Huie, served on the Board as well. In addition to great art, there will be trips, chefs’ dinners, and handmade items from local artisans up for bids.

Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a reserved table of eight and are available at morningstarcfs.org/dus2019 or by calling 912.222.6463. Seating is limited to 275 guests. Don’t wait to get your tickets, last year was a sellout and this year will be too. Directions to the event can be found on the Morningstar website. When you arrive on campus, volunteers will direct parking. Based on demand, there may be shuttle service available from St. Simons Island. Contact the Morningstar development team at 912.267.3700 ext. 2122 for further information.

If you want to know more about the history of the Morningstar property, De-Leon Peacock, a Morningstar volunteer and former resident of Boys’ Estate has written a book chronicling the history of the property and his experiences as a resident. Entitled “Boys’ Estate Georgia 19461976 A Pictorial History of Georgia’s Town Just for Boys,” the book can be found in local bookstores. Property tours are available with advanced scheduling. Come visit the world behind the gates.

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