5/4/2009
Celebration and a warm breeze set the ambiance for the special evening on May 1 as more than 150 people gathered on the Ranch Hope campus to commemorate 45 years of helping troubled youth at the Annual Founder’s Day Banquet. Richard O’ Grady, of the New Jersey Alliance of Children, Youth and Families received the 2009 Silver Spurs Award.
“We are very excited to mark this milestone in our history and celebrate the vision my father, Rev. Dave Bailey, had for helping young people. One way to do this is through the presentation of our Silver Spurs Award, given annually to an individual or to an organization that shows leadership in assisting troubled youth,” said Dave Bailey, Jr., Ranch Hope’s CEO.
In 1959, Richard O’Grady began his long-standing career with the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), where he moved up through the ranks from Case Worker to various administrative positions.
O’Grady retired from public service as Deputy Director of DYFS in 2000. He then worked as a Consultant Reviewer for the United States DHS before accepting the position of Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Children’s Residential Facilities, now known as the NJ Alliance of Children, Youth and Families.
The first boys arrived at Ranch Hope on May 5, 1964. Rev. Dave and Eileen Bailey were the first house parents. They provided a home for the boys; did fundraising; and started a school with teachers donating their time. In addition to its residential behavioral healthcare services, the agency now provides short-term shelter care, specialty schooling, services to girls at Victory House in Williamstown, NJ, plus summer and outdoor adventure experiences through Camp Edge.
Special resolutions and proclamations from the U.S. Congress, the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly, and the Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders were presented to Rev. Bailey and Dave Bailey, Jr. during the festivities.
Ranch Hope has grown considerably since 1964 thanks to dedicated staff members, donors and volunteers like the Battens.
Pitman residents Gladys and George Batten were the recipients of the Golden Spurs Award this year. Mr. and Mrs. Batten have been tireless supporters of Ranch Hope since they joined the Board of Managers in 1986. They have served on the Education Committee and Mrs. Batten currently serves as Chaplain for the Ranch Hope Combined Auxiliaries.
“Their enthusiasm and commitment to young people is contagious, their warm smiles and loving hugs strengthening. Whether it is a meeting, Strang School Open House or basketball game, George and Gladys would lead the charge and the cheers for Ranch Hope students. We are forever indebted to them,” said Bailey.
Another organization recognized during the Founder’s Day event was Mount Zion Pentecostal Church of Williamstown. Two very special women from Mount Zion visit each week and minister to the girls of Victory House through various activities, Bible study, and prayer. Each Sunday, the girls travel to the church for Rev. Edward Wilson’s services. For their steadfast inspiration, Mount Zion was presented with the Christian Partners Award.
Quinn Broadcasting-WSNJ Radio of Millville was the recipient of this year’s Corporate Partners Award. WSNJ-now affiliated with Quinn Broadcasting has been a tireless supporter of Ranch Hope for over 30 years, hosting the Annual Ranch Hope Radio Call-A-Thon since 1977. WSNJ has helped Ranch Hope raise thousands of dollars to help the ministry through this event.
A special “Good Guys” White Hat Award went to Carl Schumacher, of Alloway, for his outstanding support and dedication to the needs of the young people of Ranch Hope. It is because of Carl that a Boy Scout Program was established at the Ranch and many young men have attended summer camp in the Pocono Mountains thanks to his scholarship gifts.
Eight outstanding volunteers, selected by the Ranch Hope Auxiliaries from throughout southern NJ, were honored as well. They include: Atlantic County Auxiliary’s Elsie Thompson of Brigantine; Camden County Auxiliary’s Doris Cheeseman of Laurel Springs; Ranch Hope In-House Volunteers Harold and Donna Hemple of Salem; Salem County Auxiliary’s Eileen Bailey of Alloway; Camp Edge Auxiliary’s Bernie Simkins of Franklinville; Cape May County Auxiliary’s Jeanette Easter of Palermo; and Wranglers Auxiliary’s Leon Strang of Elmer.
