Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts will host a gospel sing in the Marianna High School auditorium next Saturday, Sept. 11. The 5th annual event begins at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission, but an offering will be taken up at the concert to help the Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.
The annual gospel concert was established by former Jackson County Sheriff John McDaniel before he retired, and Roberts is carrying on the tradition.
The cornerstones of the ranch system are four residential communities, the nearest in Live Oak.
At the Boys’ Ranch there, young men help run the operation as they gain skills to meet the real-world challenges they will face as adults.
Most work on the ranch itself, tending to cattle, horses and other animals. Some, as they mature, take outside jobs.
They live in large, traditional houses outfitted to shelter up to 10 youngsters.
Some of the residents are assigned to help maintain the homes, grounds or other elements of the property. The Live Oak ranch sits on a sprawling rural tract alongside the Suwanee River.
Through the years, Jackson County has sent several youngsters there to live and grow, or to take part in summertime camping programs.
But right now, the program is in a bit of financial stress, due to the national and statewide economic downturn. It has forced the organization to close five of cottages at its facilities, places where young people at risk can live and learn toward building a brighter future for themselves. Roberts is hoping the community will turn out in big numbers and give generouisly to help turn the financial situation around.
Most of the young people who come there to live have met with some misfortune – the death of a primary caregiver, or a change in life circumstances which present challenges difficult to meet with out some guidance in an alternative setting.
Established in 1955 by two veteran sheriffs of Florida, the ranch system has been a lifeline for many boys and girls who face difficulties that put them at risk of going down the wrong path in life.
To find out more, visit www.youthranches.org
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