The first Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Derby Day event to benefit the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches was such a success that Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer declared during the event that this would become an annual happening. A festive sell-out crowd enjoyed a good time for a good cause. Event organizer Beth Hunt said it was too early to tell regarding the amount that would be raised, but she is optimistic because the event was a sellout (500 tickets were sold), business at the silent auction was brisk and the sponsors have been very generous.
The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches houses both boys and girls in separate facilities. Children come to these living facilities for different reasons, but always voluntarily. “We are trying to catch them before they end up in the criminal system,” said Farmer. Several attendees weren’t that aware of the youth ranches and just thought it sounded like a fun event and an excuse to make a great hat.
Dian Williams, a resident of the Village of Belvedere, was sporting a handmade Florida themed derby hat complete with a pool noodle and seahorses. “I just got in to the spirit of the occasion. I don’t even know which horses are running.”
Village of Briar Meadow resident Olga Rigg went with a spring themed hat complete with a bird’s nest on top. She was one of the attendees not that aware of the Youth Ranches, but very interested in what she was finding out and happy by attending she was supporting this cause.
An added bonus to the event was having some of the boys that live at the ranch in Live Oak on hand with their horses to meet party goers and talk about the program. Two of the impressive young men that attended were Gregory and John. Gregory, 15, has been at the ranch for two years. Born in Brooklyn and growing up near the beaches in Florida, ranch living has been a new and good experience for him.
“It is a new experience and new experiences are always fun,” he said.
Seventeen-year-old John has also been at the ranch for two years. He said he was skipping school and doing things he shouldn’t be doing. He entered the ranch with a 0.2 GPA. A rising senior he now has a GPA of 3.5, plans to join the Marines, get a business degree and start his own business.
“The program at the ranch taught me to better myself,” he said. “You have to want to be helped.”
The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches started in Florida in 1957. Two Florida sheriffs went to Texas to pick up a prisoner and saw a program that was working there and came back with the idea to start one in Florida.
Fast forward to today; Sheriff Farmer is a big proponent of this program. He is on the Board of Directors and has been for eighteen years, periodically serving as chairman.
“This is a chance for young people to turn themselves around.” Those that stay until they are 18 and graduate from high school have the opportunity to have their college paid for. Every October they have a celebration at the ranch and Farmer says seeing the alumni return to the ranch with their families and doing so well will bring a tear to your eye.
In addition to the boys’ ranch there is a girls’ villa and a sibling villa for those who want to leave there home environment but do not want to get separated from their siblings.
The idea for the Kentucky Derby event was Chief Gary Brannen’s. He turned the planning over to Beth Hunt, who is in the newly developed position of coordinator for the Sumter County Outreach Program.
Hunt said of her first big event in this position, “I came in with open arms and a big heart.” “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the sponsors. “ One of the sponsors, Linda Vernon, owner of Nordic Gun Shop in Wildwood, said she was drawn to be a sponsor because “I am familiar with the Ranch. I knew two kids that went there and today they are productive citizens. I think it is a great opportunity to help these kids, and I am having a great time!”
