Arkansas Children’s Award Goes Virtual for 25th Anniversary
09/30/2020

25th Anniversary Arkansas Children’s Award

For 25 years now, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches has recognized  Arkansans who have made outstanding contributions to create better opportunities for Arkansas children. These Arkansans personify in word and deed the ideals of the Ranch, and hundreds have gathered each year to pay tribute to their dedication at the Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner.

This year, we are celebrating our 25th anniversary by recognizing ALL of our past Arkansas Children’s Award recipients.

Because of these uncertain times, we have made the difficult decision to not gather for an in-person dinner this year. Instead, we will host the 25th Anniversary Arkansas Children’s Award event on Thursday, October 15 as a virtual tribute to recognize our honorees. The Covid-19 pandemic has made this event even more crucial this year, as the ASYR works to fund its mission and provide homes for some of Arkansas’s most vulnerable boys and girls. Please consider sponsoring or supporting.

25th Anniversary Arkansas Children’s Award
Thursday, October 15, 2020

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe will continue the tradition of serving as Master of Ceremonies, which he has done since our very first year. You may sponsor the event with a gift of $2,500 and up. Additional sponsor opportunities with special recognition are also available. For more information or to pay by phone, call Matt Cleveland at (501) 940-3440. You may also pay with a check made payable to ASYR at PO Box 3964, Batesville, AR 72503.

Ways to Support

• Sponsor the event ($2,500 and up)
• Make a donation in honor or memory of a past honoree
• Make a one-time or monthly gift to the Ranch

Since the Sheriffs of Arkansas founded the Youth Ranches in 1976, it has been a place to call home for more than 2,100 of Arkansas’s most vulnerable boys and girls. As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, ASYR is more than 90% privately funded, and this event helps raise 10% of the ASYR’s operating budget each year. Please consider sponsoring or supporting.

Previous Recipients

 

2019 Governor Asa Hutchinson

Governor Asa Hutchinson has led the way to better serve children who find themselves separated from their families. When he took office in 2015, one of his first priorities was to tackle the state’s foster care crisis. Since then, he has also made computer science and coding available to all Arkansas children, and he has worked to reform Arkansas’s juvenile justice system. He has truly helped create a brighter future for many of Arkansas’s most vulnerable children.

 

2018 Dorothy Morris

Dorothy Morris has devoted her life to supporting the work of nonprofits serving children and has encourage millions in matching gifts. She believes in a holistic approach to philanthropy and focuses on children and families, investing in every aspect of a child’s life. Whether it’s inspiring a child through the arts, supporting their education or health care, or providing a home at the Ranch, we recognize her life’s work on behalf of Arkansas children.

 

2017 Greg Hatcher

For Greg Hatcher, outrageous service doesn’t end with his business at The Hatcher Agency. Greg is constantly giving back to the community through his service to and support of nonprofit organizations. Whether it’s developing new wrestling programs for high schools and colleges or contributing to organizations that serve children, Greg has always been willing to step up in support of strengthening Arkansas families.

 

2016 Deltic Timber & Ray Dillon

Ray Dillon served as President & CEO of Deltic Timber from 2003 to 2016. A vision of helping Arkansas grow and create stronger communities for our children and grandchildren were always at the forefront of Ray’s work with Deltic. They generously invested in organizations serving children, and Ray has also given his time and resources to make a difference in the lives of many Arkansas families.

 

2015 Larry Stone

Since Founding Stone Ward in 1984, Larry Stone has dedicated much of the company’s pro bono services to helping children. Larry has served on the ASYR Board of Trustees for over 25 years, 10 of which he served as Board President. He has been a steady and consistent thought leader, donor and volunteer for the ASYR and played a major role in developing Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner.

 

2014 Governor Mike Beebe

Governor Mike Beebe has dedicated his life in public service to the citizens of Arkansas for more than 32 years. As a long-time supporter of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, Governor Beebe has been instrumental in its success of this event each year and has served as Master of Ceremonies for the Arkansas Children’s Award each year since its inception.

 

2013 Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association

Arkansas’s county sheriffs have played an important role throughout the Ranch’s history and continue that support today.  The idea to begin the Ranch started with some concerned sheriffs who had helped place boys in residential homes that were not providing satisfactory care. Their idea grew and now the children of Arkansas have a place to call home at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.

 

2012 Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, former head football coach of Arkansas State University, is a great leader of young people. He has dedicated his career to mentoring young men and spends his time helping them reach their full potential. Malzahn’s dedication to youth is evident through his service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and his everyday interactions with they young men on his teams.

 

2011 Steve Landers

Steve Landers, who built Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep into the highest selling Chrysler dealership nationwide, is the president of RLJ-McLary-Landers Automotive and an investor in operations in Brazil and China. Steve has supported the American Cancer Society, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Arkansas Education Association and numerous other organizations.

 

2010 Charles Nabholz

Charles F. Nabholz founded Con-Ark Builders, a merit shop, general contracting firm. After a move to California to pursue real estate Charles returned to Conway and founded Nabholz Properties, a commercial real estate development company, in partnership with his brothers. Nabholz currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Nabholz Construction Services and president of Nabholz Properties.

 

2009 Wallace Fowler

Wallace Fowler developed Fowler Foods, Inc. and Liberty Bank of Arkansas into two of the state’s most successful enterprises. Fowler – banker, entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic leader – has devoted his life to making Arkansas a better place to call home. Because of his generosity and dedication, our communities, education system, even the roads on which we travel, are better today because of Fowler’s efforts.

 

2008 Stanley Reed

Stanley Reed, a third-generation cotton farmer from Marianna, had strong beliefs in family values, faith and a proper education that personified the standards on which the Ranch was founded. Reed served several terms as president of Arkansas Farm Bureau and was a founding member of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, an organization that develops and implements programs for needy and underprivileged children.

 

2007 Tommy May

Tommy May was recognized for his extensive civic and community involvement that stretches across years of service.  Through his work with organizations such as United Way of Southeast Arkansas, Habitat for Humanity, and Fifty for the Future, he has touched the lives of many. May epitomizes the standards for which the Ranch is known, including family togetherness and unconditional love.

 

2006 John White

A native Arkansan, Dr. John A. White served as Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for eleven years. White was honored for his commitment to advancing educational opportunities, providing positive youth development and instilling the values of character, honesty, humility and responsibility, helping the young men and women of Arkansas become the successful leaders of tomorrow.

 

2005 Pat Walker

Pat Walker celebrated life and the joy of family and friends each day. She was married to Willard Walker for 61 years, and in 1986 Pat and Willard created the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, touching the lives of thousands of Arkansas children. Mrs. Walker received numerous awards recognizing her philanthropy and was also named one of the Most Distinguished Women in Arkansas.

 

2004 Jerry Davis

Under the leadership of Jerry Davis, Affiliated Foods Southwest became one of Arkansas’s largest privately owned companies. Over the years he donated millions of dollars, as well as countless hours of service, to a number of Arkansas charities. His generous philanthropic endeavors have supported people of all ages throughout Little Rock and Arkansas.

 

2003 Blanche Lincoln

As a former U.S. Senator, Blanche Lincoln demonstrated a heart for children, which led her to make the well being of children and families a top priority. She was keenly aware of the growing need for quality childcare and assistance for working families to help their children thrive. Lincoln also worked to raise awareness for missing and exploited children and pursued the truth in child abuse investigations.

 

2002 Doyle Rogers

Doyle Rogers was chairman and president of the commercial real estate firm, the Doyle Rogers Company. In 1982, he developed what is now the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. By 1985, he built the 25-story Rogers Building, now the Stephens Building. Rogers is extensively involved with financial and investment decisions for major projects of the firm and its various partnerships as well as provides strategic direction.

 

2001 Tyson Family

In recent years, Tyson Foods has grown into the largest poultry, beef and pork processing company in the world, with sales of over $25 billion dollars annually. The Tyson Family Foundation contributes thousands of dollars annually to colleges, universities and charitable organizations throughout the state dedicated to at-risk children.

 

2000 Bill Clark

William E. (Bill) Clark was respected and beloved by his family, friends, peers, the business community, and the people of Arkansas. The Clark and Dillard families created one of the South’s largest construction firms, CDI, of which Bill served as Chairman and CEO. Clark was well-known for his generosity and leaves a legacy of leadership, vision, integrity, candor and the ability to make things happen.

 

1999 Buddy Sutton

A life-long Arkansan, Buddy Sutton served as counsel for the prestigious law ­­firm Friday, Eldredge, and Clark for 46 years until retiring as managing partner in July 2005.  In 1990, the Arkansas Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year, and he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his business and personal injury litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Sutton proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

 

1998 Jerry Maulden

Jerry L. Maulden was hired by Arkansas Power and Light Co. in 1965. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as vice president, chief financial officer, and then treasurer. In 1979, he was named president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Power & Light, which was having severe financial problems at the time. Within five years, Arkansas Power & Light was headed in the right direction and was recognized as one of the best-managed electric utilities in the nation.

 

1997 Red Hudson

James T. ‘Red’ Hudson was the Founder of Hudson Foods, Inc. He was born in Arkansas but was raised in Tennessee. He served more than three years in the United States Navy before beginning his career as a feed clerk in a feed store for Ralston Purina Co in January 1946, immediately after his discharge from the Navy. After working his way up to Regional Director of Operations, he began Hudson Foods in 1972.

 

1996 Mike Beebe

Mike Beebe recognized for his commitment to public service, was first elected to public office in 1982 in the Arkansas State Senate. In 2002, he was elected Arkansas Attorney General, the position he held until he was elected Governor of Arkansas in 2007. Beebe is a Democrat who while in office mainly focused on public education reform, healthcare, the state economy, and the environment.

2020 Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch Canceled
08/28/2020

ASYR has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020 Pumpkin Patch due to Covid-19.

While we love hosting the pumpkin patch each year, the cancellation was necessary to protect the health of our Ranch boys and girls and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many thanks to our sponsors who have made this event possible each year and to the schools and churches that have brought groups out.

The Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch raises much-needed funds for our mission each year, so if you would still like to support, you may make a gift by clicking here or by texting the word Ranch to the number 41444.

We hope to to reopen the Pumpkin Patch in October of 2021, so mark your calendar and begin making plans for your family or group to attend.

From Rancher to High School Coach | Back to School
08/13/2020

Scott remembers, it was a hot summer day when he was removed from his home by the court. He was just 14 at the time.

Although leaving home was scary, he felt going to the Ranch couldn’t be any worse than where he was living.

Years later, Scott can still recount the trauma of being locked in the sweltering garage or the camper all alone. As one of 5 kids (from multiple sets of parents), things happened that no child should have to experience.

After he was removed from his home, he was able to come live at the Ranch. Initially, Scott had anger issues. This made school difficult. He even had to repeat one year of school. But, because of committed houseparents that helped every night with homework and refused to give up on Scott, things began to improve. For the first time, Scott experienced true unconditional love.

What happened next was a game changer. Some faithful supporters learned that Scott loved baseball and began picking him up from the Ranch every day to take him to baseball practice. Scott’s love of the game grew, and eventually he went to college so he could continue to play ball while learning how to become a coach and teacher himself.

Today, Scott has a lovely family and is a teacher and is the head softball coach at Batesville High School.  Scott’s journey has brought him full circle. Now, this former Rancher is teaching some of the children who call the ASYR “home” today!

Read Scott’s letter below.

Today, just like when Scott was at the Ranch, we are truly grateful to our generous supporters who help provide for our Ranch boys and girls.

You Can Help!

The 2020 school year will begin soon, and while Covid makes this year uncertain in a lot of ways, one thing is sure. We still have lots of excited boys and girls to outfit before their first day back!

For some of our newer Ranchers, this will be this year will be the first time they thrive in their school work, thanks to support from friends like you.

Our biggest needs for the school year are:

• Backpacks for boys and girls of all ages
• Mechanical pencils
• Loose leaf paper
• 2-inch binders
• Binder tabs
• Hand sanitizer

Because we have children in grades kindergarten through college, their supply needs vary greatly. Your online gift is the very best way to make sure every Rancher’s need is covered, even beyond the classroom.

Your gift of $285 can provide everything one Rancher needs for a great school year – new school clothes, a new pair of shoes that fit, a fresh haircut, school supplies, a mask, and a new backpack.

Will you join us today by making a gift? Even a gift of just $30 can give two children a brand new backpack – something they may have never had before and that they will carry with pride!

Your gift today not only helps with needs like school supplies and backpacks, but it’s also an investment in the futures of Arkansas boys and girls.

 

A letter from Scott:

When I was just 14 I came to the Ranch. It was the first time in my life I felt safe and loved.

At the Ranch, I learned what a normal childhood was. I got to fish. I got to go to school at Batesville, where I played sports – and loved it.

I feel so lucky that some committed supporters of the Ranch took an interest in me. They would drive all the way to the Ranch to pick me up and take me to ball practice every day for two summers!

That was a game changer – complete strangers cared enough to take me to ball practice. Then my houseparents Rick and Cheyenne continued taking me all the way across town just to make sure I continued to make it to practice.

I don’t want to think of what my life would be had it not been for the Ranch.

I want to give back. That’s why I’m now a teacher and a coach.

Some kids just need a chance, and thousands of kids in Arkansas don’t get that chance. When you give, it means more kids get a chance. More kids have food to eat and a place where they’re safe. They can find hope!

Please continue to support the Ranch. It all adds up, and it can change a kid’s life. It certainly changed mine.

Sincerely,
Scott

Gourmet Guru Grill Giveaway
05/27/2020

We are very excited to offer an opportunity to win this beautiful new Gourmet Guru Grill while benefiting the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches!

Details: For every $10 you donate to the Ranch through this special link, you will be entered to win this Deluxe Grill and Metal Rolling Cart from Gourmet Guru Grills. For every $25 you donate, you will receive three (3) entries. Drawing will be held on Friday, June 17, just in time for Father’s Day! Click here to make your gift today

The Deluxe Gourmet Guru Grill comes with a handy Metal Rolling Cart, and together they retail for $948! The Deluxe Gourmet Guru Grill is a beautiful ceramic charcoal grill that distributes heat evenly so that whatever you cook comes out grilled to perfection! The Deluxe Grill combines a grill, a smoker and a brick oven for a variety of applications, and it also includes a lifetime warranty.

THANK YOU! to Intimidator UTV and Gourmet Guru Grills of Batesville for donating the Gourmet Guru Deluxe Grill and Metal Rolling Cart to raise support for the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.

At the Ranch, we provide homes for some of Arkansas’s most vulnerable boys and girls. Your gift today can truly make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. Click here to make your gift today!