In 1955, two veteran Florida Sheriffs took a trip to Texas - a trip that would forever change the lives of thousands of troubled, abused, and neglected youngsters in Florida - an impossible dream which has grown into one of the nation's finest residential child-care programs.

Hillsborough County Sheriff R. Ed Blackburn, Jr. and Marion County Sheriff Don McLeod went to Amarillo, Texas, to return a pair of armed robbery suspects to Florida; a boy of 18, injured in his escape attempt and a frightened 17 year old girl, some five months pregnant.

While in Texas, they learned about a ranch for needy and neglected boys founded by an ex-wrestler, Cal Farley.

The two Sheriffs, who daily saw young people getting in trouble and being neglected, knew Florida Sheriffs could also capture the vision of helping neglected and unwanted boys.

In 1955, the idea was presented to the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), but the idea was tabled because no money was available.

In 1957, FSA voted to approve an Honorary Membership program, and in less than six months, the Association had a bank balance of $7,000. The Sheriffs voted to go ahead with the vision of a ranch for boys. The Board appointed a committee to inspect sites that were already under consideration.

The Associated Press learned of the vision, and gave the project much needed publicity. Suwannee County Sheriff Hugh Lewis persuaded the Elks Club, which had been given some 20 acres for a youth project by Live Oak businessman Tommy Musgrove, who also owned 120 acres to the south of that site, to donate the 140 acres for a home for needy boys.

The Sheriffs accepted the gift of land in August 1957, and the seed planted back in 1955 began to take root.

With $5,000 of their $7,000, along with $26,000 loaned from two local banks, they purchased additional land on the Suwannee River bringing the total acreage to 550 - leaving just $2,000 to embark on the business of building the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch.

As news of the Boys Ranch project spread, Floridians learned Sheriffs had virtues never seen before - they cared about youth and were taking steps to help them before they entered the juvenile justice system. The Boys Ranch gained popular support from generous people across the state and nation; money was donated, church and civic clubs formed committees to help, students came on weekends and cleared much of the land.

Ground was broken for the first cottage in the summer of 1958, and donated services helped with its construction. Staff was hired, and the first boys moved in February 1959.

Needed moneys came in various forms - cash and in-kind services. The first cottage was named in memory of Pinellas County Sheriff Sid Saunders, as his death triggered an outpouring of memorial gifts. These "monuments of love" gave birth to the memorial giving program - precious gifts of love and hope for future boys and girls in need.

In 1961, Harry K. Weaver was hired to administer the fledgling organization. He, too, had a vision and led the way for 33 years.

Today, the Youth Ranches has grown into a multi-site, multi-service charitable organization helping thousands of boys, girls and their families.  Under the leadership of President Roger Bouchard, the agency is prepared to meet the challenges of the next millennium.

Founded in 1957 by the Florida Sheriffs Association

Florida's Charity For Florida's Children®