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.…
Friends Of The Ranch
“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.…
Some people have the incredible ability to turn grief into generosity. That is certainly the case with long-time Ranch donor, Marlys Lindgren, from Hutchinson, MN.…
If you have had kids, or been around kids, you know that trips to urgent care or the emergency room are part of “the deal.” With my own children, we had the requisite ear infections, occasional stitches from a variety of boo-boos, and a very exciting dislocated thumb that happened on the school playground. As they got older, we moved onto sports injuries. Ranch kids are kids. They have these experiences, too. And sometimes, an acute psychiatric issue may lead to a hospital visit.…
Marlys and Wes Kuntz are touching young lives through their support of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.…
When Gerry Gerntholz met his future wife, Marian, in college at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, she already loved Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. “The Ranch touched Marian’s heart, even back then."…
Through their recent and ongoing gifts to the Ranch, Leonard and Marie are committed to continuing the family legacy of giving by teaching their children and grandchildren about philanthropy. They want to show their family how giving not only benefits the charity but the donor.…
Herb and Jan Hegstad find joy in many places. They like to dance, play cards, and have friends over to visit. They enjoy wintering in Arizona where tennis, shuffleboard, Bocce ball, Bible study, and church services are all just a short walk away. And, they find joy in spending time with their children and grandchildren. But, their greatest joy is found in the Lord, and in caring for others.…
When Norman Luebkeman died in 2015, he left the majority of his estate, in excess of $2,000,000, to charity—with over $216,000 going to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Through his gift, Norman will live on through the many precious children who find hope and healing at the Ranch.…
Donors to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch literally save lives. And change lives. And create success. And help kids laugh, pray, learn, and feel worthwhile.…
Ron and Shirley Hankel’s faith inspires them to financially support the Ranch—where they are helping to share Christ’s love and forgiveness with kids at the Ranch.…
In 1974, Art and Grace first became acquainted with Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Their interest in the state, and in children, led to their ongoing support of the Ranch. They made their first cash gift in 1974, and continued their support throughout the rest of Art’s life. Grace continues to support the Ranch today.…