Please see below for an important message from FSYR President Bill Frye regarding the 2021 Boys Ranch Open House and Horse Show:
December 29, 2020
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Since March of 2020, we have been faced with many difficult decisions due to the pandemic that has gripped this nation, resulting in over 1.2 million cases and 21,000 deaths in Florida alone. As I write this letter, the number of cases and deaths continue to rise in our state and while I wish I could say that here at the Youth Ranches, we have not been affected, that is simply not the case. We have closed our campuses to visitors, limited our interactions in many areas of the state, reduced our travels, re-designed how we do business and much more. With everything we have put into place exceeding what is expected in most communities, we have still been challenged with both employees and youth contracting the virus. Having experienced this virus first-hand and watched helplessly when my wife, April, contracted it and her resulting struggles, I can clearly state that this virus is not something to take lightly.
While there is hope on the horizon with promising vaccines, I cannot in good conscience permit Open House to be held on our Boys Ranch campus this year. We simply cannot afford to place our youth, employees and participants at risk of exposure with a highly attended event. While it would be an outdoor open-air event, the fact remains that there have been many documented cases of COVID-19 spreading, even while attending outside events.
I recognize that this is going to be very disappointing news for many, but please understand that while we love hosting our annual Open House, our main responsibility is for the health, safety and welfare of the children placed in our care. This is a responsibility that we do not take lightly and while they are at risk in other venues, we simply cannot knowingly place them at even greater risk by hosting a large event on our campus this year. If you should have any questions regarding this decision, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bill Frye
President