Dennis and Claudia Chamberland, Cocoa, FL, had never heard of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch when they received a letter from the Ranch in the mail. "We almost never open unsolicited mail," Dennis said, "but I guess the Lord was prompting us. We read the letter and were extremely impressed with your Christ-centered work. We prayed about it and were moved to become monthly sponsors."…
Friends of the Ranch
Lee and Bev Radke say their Christian faith inspires them to give. They learned about Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch from good friends and neighbors, Arlene and Gilbert Grienke, and are thrilled to…
At age 89, Armin Rubbert reads math textbooks and proves mathematical theorems for fun. He also laughs easily; and has a quick mind, a heart for troubled children, and a long family history with the Ranch.…
When Barbara Pingel cares about something, she goes all in. As a supporter of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Barbara writes to Ranch residents as a Hope Notes pen pal, sends boxes of puzzles, makes regular donations, directs Thrivent Choice Dollars® to the Ranch, and prays every day for the children and employees of the Ranch. She has also made arrangements for an estate gift to the Ranch.…
Tre didn't have what most of us think of as a "normal" childhood. Instead, his childhood was complicated and convoluted and gave him a different perspective on how the world works.…
Last summer, Rev. Victor Tegtmeier, along with his son and daughter, drove onto the Minot campus of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Rev. Tegtmeier's wife had recently passed away, and he was taking their two children on a cross-country tour of the places they had lived and served.…
While Don and Arlene Schumacher don't know exactly how they learned about Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, they assume it was through their church, Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, MN.…
One of the great blessings of my job is that I occasionally get to meet, face-to-face, folks like you who support the healing of the children at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.…
Al and Johnne Bierdeman both come from humble beginnings in rural North Dakota. Johnne grew up in Dickey, ND, where her parents both worked at the bank. Al was born and raised on a family farm near Sykeston, ND, and was one of six kids.…
Meagan Gelinske comes from a generous family, and the importance of giving back was instilled in her at an early age. "I learned early on to share what I had. Several of my family members are very generous and I quickly realized that giving to help others is a good way to live," Meagan said. "My Christian faith plays a large part, too."…
Rev. Keith and Denise Less were drawn to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch ministry because of the similarity between Keith’s background and that of many of the Ranch kids.…
“The people there [at the Ranch] on the ground, the people investing their lives in the lives of the young people—they’re the ones doing the work. I can’t be one of those people, but I can plant some energy in the effort," Smith said.…
Jim's heart for the Ranch is very personal. "When I was the age of Ranch kids, I would probably have been one of them... One reason I support the Ranch is because no child should have to go through a situation like that."…
Lola Vulles carries on her parent's legacy by giving to the Ranch, and helping children who didn't grow up in a family like hers.…
Lorens and Mabel Kingstad were hardworking children of immigrants who grew up during the Depression and the Dirty Thirties. According to their children, Tim Kingstad and Naomi Kingstad Murphy, they lived simple, frugal, and humble lives of "faith active in love."…
"I grew up looking at the south end of a draft horse," said Iowa native, Gilbert Grienke. "I was driving a team of horses behind farm equipment when I was hardly old enough to walk. You love every horse you've ever driven." Horses are what attracted Gilbert to the Ranch. "You use horses to calm the kids and that was something I hadn't seen before. There is something about horses—their honest, forgiving, and calming demeanor somehow helped raise this old man and keep him out of trouble. They are wonderful around kids."…
Sometimes I am astonished by the many ways people find to be good. Today at the Ranch, we received a $5 donation. We are incredibly grateful and are careful stewards of each and every gift. This gift came with two letters, one from a teacher at a Christian school, and the other from her student.…
Many years ago I had the opportunity to hear a talk by Lou Holtz, the former head coach of numerous winning football teams...perhaps most memorably, Notre Dame. His message, as I remember it, was about how he stays enthusiastic, positive, optimistic. He made the point that when you are not winning is when it is most important to stay positive.…
People from all across the United States help Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch wrap each precious child who comes to us in the care they need to find and become their best selves. Many pray for our staff and kids. Others donate time through servant teams, board service, or within our thrift stores. Still, others donate treasure, funds that are the result of the sweat of the brows of the givers. Regardless of where or who or how the gifts of prayer, time, and treasure come from, they are all blessings. They all contribute to the healing of these brave trauma survivors. Every gift has special meaning.…
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is hosting a celebration of thankfulness for all the wonderful people who support our work.…
You are a huge reason we are able to continue our work, even in a pandemic. Because of your prayers and your financial support, we continue. We want to say thank you. Join us for a free online event, "A Healing Presence: an Online Celebration of Thankfulness," on November 19, 1-2 p.m. (Central Standard Time). We'll provide you with an update on the impact you are making with your support. It is a celebration of thankfulness from us to you! The very best part, I promise you, will be hearing from Ariel, a former Ranch resident.…
Thrivent, a nonprofit financial services organization for Christians, has a longstanding commitment to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. For years, the Ranch has been an enrolled charity in Thrivent Choice®, a program that allows eligible members to recommend where Thrivent should donate portions of its charitable outreach funds each year.…
Karen Leeseberg has been supporting Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, either herself or through her parents, since she was born. Her father was a pastor, so the family contributed to a lot of Lutheran organizations. In Karen's mind, Ranch honey is tied to fond memories of her childhood.…
Benji Dick, a 48-year-old North Dakota farmer, uses his head, as well as his heart, to make decisions about giving. He takes advantage of an often-overlooked giving tool for farmers--gifting farm commodities, including grain and legumes, directly to charity.…
George and Eleanor Krueger, Monroe, MI, are well aware of the traumas many children endure. In George's 30-year career in law enforcement and Eleanor's 44 years as a school teacher, they both saw firsthand the impact abuse and neglect had on children in their community. Now that they are both retired, they continue to minister to troubled children by supporting Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, both financially and with their time.…