Post by The Daily Prophet on May 23, 2015 4:51:15 GMT -5
Our Magical Orphans
Daily Prophet Reporter William WilloughbyBlake’s Little Witches and Wizards Orphanage, often shortened to Blake's Orphanage, is owned and managed by Ethan Blake, the son of the late George and Mary Blake. At one point in time, the large home located in West Country, was known as Blake’s Mansion, having been in the possession of the Blake family for several generations. The family's wealth flourished and with wealth came the purchase of a home with both and east and west wing, reminiscent of a castle of old. It remained simply a family home in which many guests were entertained, travelers sheltered occasionally, and many a ball was hosted until the home fell into the hands of Alexander Blake.
Records show that Alexander Blake is the current Mr. Blake's third great-grandfather, having lived a lengthy life that extended from the 1500s to the 1600s. Specific dates for Alexander Blake's death and birth have been obscured over the years due to the loss of records and inadequate management of them. Therefore, our range of years is merely an estimate of when Alexander lived. What we do have clear documentation of is Alexander Blake's petition to have his home declared as an orphanage for magical children. In a court hearing on the matter of the home, one friend of Alexander was quoted as saying "Alexander has a kindness that does not end and cares for the forgotten children of our community..." offering us a glimpse into a possible motivation factor for this.
The court did grant permission for the property to be converted into an orphanage and its opening day was published in our Prophet. Reading over the article from the day the orphanage was first opened, charity is mentioned quite a few times. It is, that is, it appears to be, what made the opening of a magical orphanage possible. Citizens of all wealth at the time pitched in by way of their pockets, giving what they could to the financing of such an institution. A joint effort from the wizarding community was able to create something for our magical children that was desperately needed.
That effort is needed once more. Having given their wealth for the care of children, the Blake family alone cannot be expected to continue to keep the orphanage running. Volunteers, such as Lady Arabella Burke, known for her contribution through fundraising efforts, and Miss Evelyn Shacklebolt, known for her dedication to the healthcare of the children, do what they can, but they are few in number. Patrons of the orphanage dwindle as the years pass by and funding is at an all time low. The orphanage provides its children with a full education to Hogwarts, shelter, clothing, and food. Without this care, the children would be left on the streets. Our magical children would be abandoned.
Ask yourself, could you stand the site of young babes crawling in filth along the streets of Diagon Alley, begging for a piece of bread? And what of Alexander Blake's legacy? Are we, as a community, going to let the orphanage fall into the cracks of history or keep it afloat by pitching in what we can from our own pockets as those before us did? I know that today I will be walking up the steps of Blake's Orphanage, galleons in hand, giving what I can at the moment to this wonderful institution. For the sake of the children and our own dignity as a society, this reporter can only kindheartedly ask that those reading do the same.
Records show that Alexander Blake is the current Mr. Blake's third great-grandfather, having lived a lengthy life that extended from the 1500s to the 1600s. Specific dates for Alexander Blake's death and birth have been obscured over the years due to the loss of records and inadequate management of them. Therefore, our range of years is merely an estimate of when Alexander lived. What we do have clear documentation of is Alexander Blake's petition to have his home declared as an orphanage for magical children. In a court hearing on the matter of the home, one friend of Alexander was quoted as saying "Alexander has a kindness that does not end and cares for the forgotten children of our community..." offering us a glimpse into a possible motivation factor for this.
The court did grant permission for the property to be converted into an orphanage and its opening day was published in our Prophet. Reading over the article from the day the orphanage was first opened, charity is mentioned quite a few times. It is, that is, it appears to be, what made the opening of a magical orphanage possible. Citizens of all wealth at the time pitched in by way of their pockets, giving what they could to the financing of such an institution. A joint effort from the wizarding community was able to create something for our magical children that was desperately needed.
That effort is needed once more. Having given their wealth for the care of children, the Blake family alone cannot be expected to continue to keep the orphanage running. Volunteers, such as Lady Arabella Burke, known for her contribution through fundraising efforts, and Miss Evelyn Shacklebolt, known for her dedication to the healthcare of the children, do what they can, but they are few in number. Patrons of the orphanage dwindle as the years pass by and funding is at an all time low. The orphanage provides its children with a full education to Hogwarts, shelter, clothing, and food. Without this care, the children would be left on the streets. Our magical children would be abandoned.
Ask yourself, could you stand the site of young babes crawling in filth along the streets of Diagon Alley, begging for a piece of bread? And what of Alexander Blake's legacy? Are we, as a community, going to let the orphanage fall into the cracks of history or keep it afloat by pitching in what we can from our own pockets as those before us did? I know that today I will be walking up the steps of Blake's Orphanage, galleons in hand, giving what I can at the moment to this wonderful institution. For the sake of the children and our own dignity as a society, this reporter can only kindheartedly ask that those reading do the same.