The first weekend of October is always a big day at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch in Live Oak. During this weekend, we hold our annual Open House and Horse Show which lasts several days and brings several thousand guests to our campus.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the Grand Entry held in our arena on Saturday morning. There is a group of boys living at the Boys Ranch who have earned the title “Riding Rancher” because of their good behavior, attitudes and horsemanship skills. Every year, they spend hours practicing a riding routine for the Grand Entry.

This complex pattern is performed to music and involves a carefully timed and rehearsed show of horsemanship and skill. As our ten Riding Ranchers began their pattern this year, they looked outstanding in their cowboy hats and matching outfi ts. The pattern was going well until one young man took a tumble off his horse.

Although he was not hurt and got back on his horse, the precise routine which had been practiced for so many weeks fell apart and the boys rode back to the staging area dejected and disappointed.

When I looked over toward our farm manager, he was encouraging and coaching the boys.

As our eyes met, he gave me the sign that they wanted to try again. From the reviewing stand, I asked the crowd if we could give the boys a “do-over” ride and the crowd burst into applause and cheers as the Riding Ranchers once again entered the stadium.

The boys and horses went through their performance with new confi dence and the crowd stood and cheered as they perfectly executed their pattern. There were many tears of joy in the crowd as the boys rode out of the arena and people realized they had seen something special.

For those of us who work daily with young people, this was a wonderful picture of what the Youth Ranches provides for our children. Many of them have made mistakes and been unsuccessful in life.

By giving them a chance at a “do-over,” they are able to get the coaching and encouragement they need to give it another try. As they achieve success, we all are here to cheer them on for their progress and help them overcome their mistakes.

Just as the crowd at the arena that day helped the Riding Ranchers turn failure into success, all of you who support the Youth Ranches with your gifts are helping our boys and girls do the same thing with their lives. Thank you for standing with them as they turn their failures into success.

The Ranchers in Live Oak had a great time at the now biennial Soap Box Derby Downhill Race and Tour La Ranch. You should have seen the look in their eyes as the drivers put the petal to the metal in the race to the finish. In the end, Conn Cottage took the overall honors and get to keep the trophy... until next time.

It is with a heavy heart that the Youth Ranches family mourns the loss of Youth Ranch Alumnus and United States Marine Lance Corporal Nathaniel “Nate” Joseph Schultz, age 19, who was killed in Afghanistan over the weekend. Lance Cpl. Schultz was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Nate was a resident and honor student at our Safety Harbor campus for nearly two years and graduated from our program at the same time he graduated from Countryside High School in 2009. After graduation, he fulfilled his dream of joining the Marine Corps. Nate was an honorable and goal oriented young man who received the leadership award on campus, along with several other awards.  He was featured in THE RANCHER magazine which specifically highlighted his desire to serve our great country. In that interview, Nate stated “Everybody here helps you. They know who you are and see what you can become. They help you make better decisions about how to act which has helped me a lot.”

Over the 53 years since the founding of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, we have seen hundreds of our graduates serve their country in the armed forces. Currently, we have graduates proudly representing us in all branches of the military.

Nate stopped by the Safety Harbor campus three weeks ago just before he was deployed to Afghanistan. He was able to visit with and reconnect with many of the staff and residents and share with them some of his experiences as a Marine.

Although all of us who knew Nate are saddened by the news of his death, we also know he was following his dream and was so very proud of being a Marine. To his Youth Ranches friends, Nate epitomized the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful.”

Please remember Nate’s immediate family, including his mother Lisa, and his extended Youth Ranch family in your thoughts and prayers.

Services are yet to be announced but we have already received word from Sheriff David Gee that the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office will be escorting the body from Mac Dill under the leadership of Col. Jim Previtera.

For additional information, please contact Alison Evans, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches at 800-765-3797 or 386-364-9149.

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted” - Garrison Keillor

In my office hangs a small, wooden plaque given to me years ago by my wife, Sheila. Engraved on it are the words “Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” This quote is by the creator and central figure in “A Prairie Home Companion,” Garrison Keillor. This program has aired on public radio for over thirty years.

Over the years, I have often looked at this plaque and been reminded of its words. I have come to realize the times I notice it most are during the tougher situations and diffi culties. All of us need a reminder of why we do what we do and the reasons for our efforts, but during the most diffi cult times we need these reminders even more than when things are a little easier.

The past several years have been a real strain and struggle for our country. We are experiencing the worst recession of our generation and many families are without work. The number of homes in foreclosure are rising and more families are applying for food stamps and welfare every day which is overloading our social services system.

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has not been spared the pain during this time. Charitable donations are down and our revenue is below what it was three years ago. As we meet with our staff and Board of Directors, we are diligently working on ways to meet our budget shortfall. So far, we have been able to fill the gap with money we put in savings during some better fi nancial times. Because of these savings, we have not had to reduce any services to children. We are aware that our savings will not last much longer, but they have allowed us to continue providing homes, clothing, food, education and other services to the children in our care so far.

Each of you receive The Rancher because you have chosen to make donations to the Youth Ranches. I cannot express to you how much I appreciate your generosity and support. Without you, we would already have cut back on services and would have to tell children we could not care for them any longer.

As you read the stories in this issue of The Rancher, notice the pride and determination in the faces of the youngsters. Each of them has come so far and wants a successful life. I have been working with children for the past 37 years and have seen the difference we can make in young lives. I know more than ever that “Nothing we do for children is ever wasted.” Your investment in them will pay great dividends in their homes and local communities for many years in the future.

As I close, I would ask each of you to keep us in your prayers. We not only need the funds to continue our work with children but also the wisdom and direction to know the best way to maneuver through this diffi cult time. I am fully confi dent we will make it through these times and continue to be there for the young people who need our care.