Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tucker Urges Support Of Boys And Girls Ranches

Sheriff Troy Tucker urges residents of Clark County to join him and Arkansas sheriffs in their work to help disadvantaged boys and girls of the state by supporting the Arkansas Sheriffs' Boys and Girls Ranches.

The ranch, sponsored by the Arkansas sheriffs, provides Christian homes for some of Arkansas' dependent, neglected children, Tucker said. The purpose is to give them love, security and the basic opportunities for education and growth, in a family-like environment.

The ranch is not a reform school or correctional institution, Tucker said. Children residing there are simply in need of a permanent, loving home and a chance for a brighter future.

In their everyday work, sheriffs see the neglect, abuse and lack of supervision that far too many of Arkansas' youngsters endure daily, Tucker said. These are the kids that the ranch seeks to influence. They want to show them that someone does care. They want to help them feel good about themselves and strive for a better life than they have known.

Clark County residents can do their part to support this child care program by joining the Arkansas Sheriffs Association as honorary members. Sheriffs around the state are currently involved in a campaign to solicit new members, to help the ranch expand the program to serve more children

"The number of children we can really reach depends on the public's support," the sheriff said.

Individual memberships are $25 and business memberships are $30. All the money goes to support the Arkansas Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranches. Each honorary member will receive a membership card, a bumper sticker for their vehicle and periodic updates through the newsletter, The Ranch Report.

Those who have not received a letter asking them to join may obtain membership or receive additional information by sending their name, address and membership fee to the Arkansas Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranches, P. O. Box 3964, Batesville, AR 75203. The sheriff also has extra applications on hand at his office.