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up the night for Sr. Mary's Children
On the morning after prom, Mary Jo Tacke boarded a bus to Princeton New Jersey. She left Cottonwood to enter the convent of the Sisters of the Precious Blood Order because of their missionary work. Two years later she moved to South Africa as Sister Mary Paule’ Tacke. One evening Sister opened the door to find it was the police with two abandoned infants. Sister Mary Paule’ accepted the children with open arms. The police continued to bring children to her and she soon founded Bethany Place of Safety a home for children ages 0 to 6.. Due to her devotion, nutrition, and medicine, these children were able to live full lives. She helped see that many children were adopted or reunited with family. As the children reached age 6, she realized that there was a need for a second home so founded Thembehlie Home. Both Bethany and Thembehlie are still going strong thanks in large part to the generous donations from those in her home town of Cottonwood and others that came to know of her work over the years. She was ever grateful for the donations that supported the children. In 2016, Sister Mary’s Children, a non profit 501(c)(3) ,was formed by family, volunteers, and friends to continue the work of which Sister was so passionate. On Saturday, June 8 a fundraiser, Light Up the Night for Sister Mary’s Children will be held at the Greencreek Community Hall beginning at 5:30 PM. Highlights of the night include music by Josh Deiss and dancing to the 7 Devils band. Auction items to name a few include: At the Joy Luxury Wine Country Retreat 2 nights sleeps 12; Salmon River Rafting Trip; Casting Crows Concert tickets and a gift card towards hotel.; 18 holes of golf for 4 and round of drinks at Jug Mt. Ranch in McCall; original artwork including South African pottery and framed batiks; Lyle Kuther jerky; Big Canyon Beef; Dandelion Dresser; and numerous baskets as well as a dessert auction Tickets are $15 which include potato bar and 2 drinks may be purchased by ordering online at sistermaryschildren.org or calling Sue Tacke 208-962-3902 or Joan Riggers 208-790-1282. 
Sister Mary Paule Tacke and one of the orphans in South Africa. |
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