Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches

Goodwill Southern Rivers to Present $8,000 to Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches

COLUMBUS, GA — October 2, 2026 -- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (Goodwill) will present an $8,000 donation to Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, made possible by shoppers who rounded up their purchases to the nearest dollar at Goodwill registers in Alabama during the month of August. The check presentation will take place Saturday, October 10th at 9:30 a.m. CST at Goodwill’s Auburn store located at 2040 S. College Street.Goodwill will present the check to Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches CEO, Michael Smith. Goodwill will also provide $50 gift cards to Ranch residents and invite them to shop in its stores.“Our shoppers made this gift possible, one round up at a time,” said Jack Warden, president and CEO of Goodwill. “We’re grateful for their generosity and proud to support the young people served by Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches. We also look forward to welcoming Ranch residents into our stores for a shopping experience of their own.”“We’re grateful to Goodwill shoppers for choosing to support the young people at our Ranches,” said Michael Smith, CEO of Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches. “This gift will support the homes and guidance we provide, and the gift cards will give our residents a chance to enjoy picking out something for themselves.”Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches provides a safe, stable home environment for young people facing difficult circumstances. The contribution reflects Goodwill’s commitment to strengthening families and communities across east Alabama and west Georgia.About Goodwill Southern Rivers:Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) is one of 150 independent, communitybased Goodwill nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, GoodwillSR serves 50 counties throughout east Alabama and west Georgia. We provide employment readiness training, computer access, educational assistance, skills workshops, and more to spur job placement and economic stability in the communities we serve. We can provide these and other programs thanks to the continued donations of giving patrons. We use the revenue generated in GoodwillSR stores to fund most of our community services. For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, visit www.goodwillsr.org.For Immediate Release About Alabama Sheriffs Youth RanchesAlabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches provides long-term homes and support for children in Alabama who need a safe and stable place to live. Learn more at www.alabamasheriffsyouthranches.org.For Media Inquiries Contact:Julie BennettDirector of Marketing and CommunicationsGoodwill of the Southern Rivers, Inc.Phone: (404) 432.8752Email: [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/GoodwillS

One of the best things about having “Sheriffs” in our name is getting to know the people behind the badge.

We’re thankful to call Butler County Sheriff David Scruggs a friend of the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
David and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office have been part of a long tradition of Alabama Sheriffs standing behind our Ranchers, a relationship that means everything to us.

For over 60 years, this mission has never worked because of one organization doing everything on its own. It works because good people in communities all over Alabama decide these children are worth showing up for. That’s exactly what we want our Ranchers to grow up knowing: there are people outside the gates of their Ranch who believe in them, too. David, thank you for your friendship, your encouragement and for caring about these kids. We’re grateful to have you as part of this family. You truly embody the character model we try to instill in our children.

The word “Sheriffs” in our name means something very real to us.
Some people support a cause because their name is attached to it, while others roll up their sleeves and become a part of it. Sheriff Heath Jackson is one of the latter. We especially want to recognize Sheriff Jackson for the time and effort he and his office put into supporting our Ranchers. Heath has been a friend to the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches, and when there's an opportunity to give back to these children, he's willing to be involved. Our kids always need to see that. They need adults who show them through their ACTIONS, that their lives matter and their futures are worth investing in. Every single visit, fundraiser, conversation, and every time Heath simply shows up adds another person to our Ranchers’ corner. He makes sure they know Sheriff Jackson and Escambia County loves them and truly cares about their future. Thank you for making a difference in this mission. Thank you Heath Jackson and Escambia Sheriff's Office for being in their corner, and for being a true friend to the Ranches. We appreciate you more than you know.

SLE Rodeo and Thousand Hills Cattle Partner to Provide Local Beef for Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Thousand Hills Cattle have selected Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches as the beneficiary of the 2027 SLE Gives Back initiative, “Local Beef for Local Youth.” Through the campaign, nutritious, locally raised beef will be provided directly to kitchens serving children at Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The partnership will include a variety of beef cuts and freezer support to help the Ranches safely store and use the donated food.
Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches provides Christian, family-style residential homes for at-risk children and youth ages 6-18. Children living at the Ranches receive stability, guidance and opportunities to participate in school, church, sports, clubs, livestock care and other activities that help prepare them for productive adulthood.
This partnership will place quality food directly into Ranch kitchens while helping the organization direct more of its resources toward the education and everyday needs of its young people. https://www.slerodeo.com/p/getconnected/sle-gives-back
Thousand Hills Cattle works with cattlemen and women throughout the Southeast to provide a dependable supply of locally raised beef to individuals and organizations in need. Its support includes both donated beef and the equipment necessary for recipients to store it safely.
Every donation helps place quality beef on the tables of children who deserve the security of a safe home and a dependable meal, Individuals, agricultural organizations and businesses may support the campaign by making a tax-deductible contribution through Thousand Hills Cattle at https://www.thousandhillscattle.org/support-today
Founded by Alabama’s sheriffs in 1966, Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches provides Christian, family-style residential homes for Alabama children and youth in need. The organization operates boys’ ranches in Baldwin and St. Clair counties and girls’ ranches in Colbert and Tallapoosa counties, and is a 501(c)3 charity. Learn more at https://www.alabamasheriffsyouthranches.org
About the Southeastern Livestock Exposition
The Southeastern Livestock Exposition supports Alabama agriculture through livestock events, youth programs, scholarships, educational initiatives and the annual SLE Rodeo. Learn more at https://www.slerodeo.com
About Thousand Hills Cattle
Thousand Hills Cattle is a nonprofit organization supported by private donations and a network of cattlemen and women committed to providing nutritious beef to those in need. Learn more at https://www.thousandhillscattle.org

In honor of the late beloved Dolly on 9/25, we ended our day with letting our (long, blonde, a little fake) hair down in her honor. We love what we do for work, we love who we do it for AND who we do it with!

💙 🤍❤️These are the moments and memories our kids deserve. ❤️💙🤍 We are so grateful for supporters who make it possible to give our Ranchers the best.

‘One decision makes all the difference’: Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch celebrates 60 years of second chances >>> https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/09/24/one-decision-makes-all-difference-alabama-sheriffs-youth-ranch-celebrates-60-years-second-chances/

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Children’s Charity Golf Classic was nothing short of incredible. If you would’ve come up without knowing what was happening, you’d have thought there was a food fair and community celebration happening the atmosphere was electric and 2026’s golf event at Arrowhead was appropriate for a benchmark year for the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches. None of it would’ve been possible without our local and executive sponsors. Thank YOU for showing such incredible support to our Ranches and especially our children, who this is all about!

Montgomery Sheriff’s Office’s Children’s Charity Golf Classic news coverage. We had a great day out at Arrowhead. Thank you to everyone who showed up and showed out for our Ranches!

Children's charity golf classic held in Montgomery The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office helped raise money, hosting its children's charity event for the Alabama Sheriff's Youth Ranches.