Wrangler 2024 Winter

Volume 67 | No. 1 | Winter 2024

Billings, Montana you YBGR and the Kramlich Lodge team!”

In 1993, Alabama released the song Angels Among Us:

organization. All you have to do is ask our past youth and their families:

I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times and had me down on my knees, There’s always been someone to come along and comfort me.

A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand, A phone call from a friend just to say I understand, But ain’t it kind of funny at the dark end of the road, That someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope?

“Right after I told my folks, I called the staff at my former lodge at YBGR to tell them I am going to Rocky Mountain College in the fall. I never thought I would graduate high school, let alone go to college, and in 2024 I will do both. This wouldn’t be possible without YBGR helping, encouraging, and showing me that I have a purpose. Thank

“I have been a YBGR kid for as long as I can remember, and when I needed them most after my mom died, they were there. They gave me hope, they helped me grieve, and they didn’t run away when I was at my worst. YBGR saved me and I will never forget that.”

“You saved my daughter’s life. She wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t gone to YBGR when she was in high school.

Sending her there was the hardest thing I ever did, and it was the best decision that I ever made. She is graduating with

Continued on page 6

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all ways.

Psalms 91:11

T

he angels Alabama sang about are indeed among us at YBGR. The Ranch has been employing these angels since its beginning in 1957. The legacy of caring and shaping the lives of struggling youth that was started by our founding fathers still lives on today. It is the lifeblood of YBGR and the purpose of every person who works on the campus, volunteers, and donates to the

Inside 23

A Chat With The Foundation President A Message From YBGR’s CEO

4 Christmas at the Ranch 5 Holiday Traditions

6 Finding Her Place 7 Memorials Pupdate

Adopt-A-Lodge 8 2023 Sponsors

Caring People, Preparing MORE Youth for Life!

2nd Annual Yellowstone Chili Cookoff

A CHAT WITH FOUNDATION PRESIDENT BILL HRITSCO

of helping donors solve tax problems, create lifetime income streams, and make deep impacts to charity with legacy-class Planned Gifts.

Y

ellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation has been the statewide leader in charitable Planned Giving for more than a half century. We wrote the first Charitable Remainder Trust in Montana in the early 1970s, and today we administer, without fee, more than one hundred charitable trusts and more than three hundred charitable gift annuities.

Sara Hofer, JD, is leading today’s Planned Giving department at Yellowstone Foundation, an area I practice in heavily as well. We are also fortunate to have Jim Soft, renowned Planned Giving expert known and respected regionally and nationwide, on staff and of counsel.

Over the years, Yellowstone Foundation has been at the forefront of drafting and promoting both state and federal legislation to encourage philanthropy, such as the Montana Endowment Tax Credit and federal laws allowing for gifting directly from IRAs. Our staff serve or have served on statewide and national boards of directors, such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Montana Nonprofit Association and the American Council on Gift Annuities. We attend and frequently present at conferences and conventions – a testament to our credibility among those in the philanthropic sector.

With help from current supporters and wise Planned Giving donors from the past, Yellowstone Foundation is building a perpetual Endowment Fund, the earnings from which support troubled kids and families. Grants from the Endowment Fund are currently helping to meet the everincreasing annual operating budget at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, allowing it to offer services and programs like no other treatment center in the country. From the Vo-Ag programs to Equine Therapy to Spiritual Life, the Ranch stands out among its peer organizations.

Yellowstone Foundation’s team in 1973.

When you are facing significant tax concerns relating to the sale of a ranch, equipment, cattle or crops, rental units, a vacation property or other appreciated assets, please reach out to our Planned Giving experts. Without charge or obligation, we are happy to evaluate with you and your advisors the many taxwise charitable solutions to better manage adverse tax consequences and create lifetime income streams, while leaving a charitable legacy to impact causes you believe in.

Yellowstone Foundation’s team 50 years later.

2

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MIKE CHAVERS

New Lodge in Time for Christmas C hristmas at the Ranch is always a busy time. Like with your family, there are lots of things going on. Lodges need to be decorated. Presents need to be purchased and wrapped. Fun and meaningful activities need to be planned and enjoyed.

The girls in newly opened Fortin East Lodge enjoying a meal.

It can be a whirlwind, but creating moments of joy and happy memories during what can be a very stressful time of year is important.

Especially when you consider the challenges faced by the youth we serve. For many, they experience Christmas like never before, including learning the true reason for the season, the gift of God’s love.

This year, Christmas at YBGR was even a little bit busier than usual. As you may know, the number of youth that need our services has never been greater. Because of this, the staff at YBGR were determined to open an additional lodge for kids just two weeks before Christmas, making a hectic time of year a bit more challenging.

Our Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life decided that kids shouldn’t spend Christmas inside a psychiatric hospital if they didn’t have to. They stretched themselves because they believe in YBGR’s ability to help kids, and they live out our Mission every day. I’m honored and humbled to be associated with these folks.

A special thank you to all of you. Your prayer and support made it possible for us to open this new lodge, and your generosity ensured that these young people all had presents under the tree on Christmas morning. Thanks for being a part of our Mission: Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life.

Remember Us in Your Will and Leave a Lasting Legacy By naming Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation in your will, you can guarantee that your legacy of caring for troubled and abused children will continue for generations to come.

FIXED AMOUNT: I give the sum of $ Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

to

SPECIFIC PROPERTY: I give my Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

to

PERCENTAGE OF REMAINDER: I give % of the remainder of my estate to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

CONTINGENCY: In the event does not survive me, I give to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

These samples are suggestions only. Legal documents should always be prepared by your attorney.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation’s legal address is 2050 Overland Avenue, P.O. Box 80807, Billings, Montana 59108.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Gifts are tax deductible.

Winter 2024

3

Gifts from the Camping World Giving Tree.

For many people, the Christmas season signifies a time of joy, faith, and coming together. However, for the vulnerable children at YBGR, it can be a period filled with sadness and isolation. Each holiday season, devoted staff put forth considerable efforts to ensure a festive and vibrant Christmas and New Year for the children.

Thanks to the Foundation’s Secret Santas, youngsters in the residential program shopped at Kohl’s for essential items like clothing, shoes, and outerwear. These gifts were then beautifully wrapped by gracious volunteers from Komatsu Mining and visiting missionaries. On Christmas morning, not only did the kids enjoy unwrapping their presents, but they also woke up to a stocking full of their favorite treats purchased by staff!

The children in YBGR’s Community Based Services were not forgotten. CBS staff nominated children in need and took the initiative to purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts. In total, 131 CBS kids discovered presents under their tree on Christmas morning.

Camping World staff with their Giving Tree.

A YBGR youth makes her selections during the Kohl’s shopping trip in mid-December.

Yellowstone Academy students felt the community’s generosity through Giving Trees at Rimrock Mall and Camping World. These trees showcased over 300 paper mittens, each listing essential items. The community played a pivotal role in ensuring YA students had a joy filled Christmas. The week before Christmas, the Billings Downtown Exchange Club showed kindness by providing gifts to all children in grades K-8 through their Santa in the Schools program.

A CBS youth ready to rip into his gift.

YA staff Dwight Von Schriltz and Keith Tresch with the Rimrock Mall Giving Tree.

YA students gather around Santa for their presents.

r helps Program manage

hand out the gifts.

Volunteers made sure all the presents were beautifully wrapped.

4 4

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Holiday Traditions

YBGR staff serving the kids waffles for Christmas Eve breakfast.

The YBGR holiday season is brimming with enjoyable traditions. This year, the residential youth kicked off the weekend with the customary Christmas Eve Breakfast in the dining hall. Ranch and Foundation staff and board members dedicated their Christmas Eve morning to decorating the dining hall, setting tables, and preparing and serving breakfast.

Following the delightful Christmas Eve breakfast, youth participated in a Christmas Eve Chapel Service led by the YBGR Chaplain John Boeder. This year’s service focused on Luke: Chapter 2, in which the angels meet the shepherds and share the message that God meets us where we are. The youth engaged in singing carols, prayer, and reflection on the profound significance of Christ’s birth and entry into the world.

Using the school’s telescopes to view the full moon as others leave the dining hall to take a hayride.

For the third consecutive year, a Holiday Stroll took place on campus on December 27th, bringing together Ranch and Foundation staff, board members, and their families. The event featured games, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, hayrides, and a sing-along with the youth.

It provided an opportunity for all members of the YBGR family to celebrate the holiday spirit with colleagues, friends, family, and the residential boys and girls.

Chaplin John Boeder sharing the Christmas message with the kids.

The holiday festivities concluded with the traditional New Year’s Eve Pizza Party. For twelve years, longtime supporter Wilma Santoyo generously donated so that staff were able to purchase pizzas, sodas, and ice cream for the youth. After Wilma’s passing almost three years ago, a loyal donor graciously continued the tradition in Wilma’s memory to ensure kids would continue to enjoy a movie night with treats while they usher in the New Year with their lodge mates.

The boys in Do Lodge enjoyi rothy’s ng before the m pizza ovies start.

Girls in Fortin East opening presents Christmas morning.

Thank you to all our “Secret Santas,” with a special thanks to: Donna Stone

Garnet & Jeannine Keefer Sigma DG Corporation

Winter 2024

5

Angels Among Us Continued from page 1

her nursing degree in a few weeks; she is a mom with a great husband; and she is living the life that I always wanted for her. I thought that would never happen.”

“I have my dream job. I am getting to travel and do what I love, and I never thought that would happen for me. I had crippling anxiety and thought I would never get a job, let alone be successful. Then I got into the Supported Employment Program at YBGR, and everything changed. I will never be able to pay them back for the love, hope, and encouragement that they poured into me, but I will pay it forward somehow.”

“I didn’t know what Christmas was before YBGR. I had never had new clothes or a stocking in my life, and I still don’t understand why strangers who have never met me wanted me to have those things, but I am grateful to them and will never forget that kindness.”

“I didn’t know how to be a parent. I didn’t have any good examples in my life, and we all struggled with mental health. Then YBGR came into our lives and changed everything. They walked with me, helped me find the services and resources that I

An occupational therapy session with Dr. Taylor Clark.

needed, bought my groceries when I got COVID and had to miss a few weeks of work. There are no words to express my family’s gratitude for our case manager and home support person. They are truly earthbound angels.”

“Yellowstone Academy taught me what it was to be family, to have someone show up at my baseball games. Even after I went back to public school, they showed up for me, asked how I was doing when they saw me out and about, and encouraged me to come back to the Ranch to work when I didn’t know what else to do to support my daughter. YA and YBGR made me the man and father I am today. Thank you!”

“My cousin is here today because of YBGR. He is clean, sober, and a good dad all because you changed his life. Thank you!”

“My son is enjoyable to be around now. He is a different kid. He even comes into the shop and helps customers. I cannot believe the change in him. We had our first successful family vacation in years. The change is unbelievable and something I never thought I would see.”

YBGR staff hear these stories everywhere they go from seatmates on planes, the gal in the Taco Bell drive-up, the clerk at the grocery store, and in the emails and phone calls that are received each week from past youth and their families. Says Public Relations Director Jasmine Hansen, “Every one of those encounters touches my heart, leaving me with a watery smile and Alabama playing in my head. I know that there are angels among us, and I walk beside them caring for youth every day.

We sure do make a difference.”

Group therapy session with Skyler in the outdoor gazebo.

Combining art and occupational therapy.

Checking in at the Scott Medical Clinic.

6

Presley with her foster mom, Sophie Sue. Presley has done well with a blanket on her back.

In about five months, they will try a saddle.

Finding Her Place A

t the end of December 2022, YBGR acquired a 6-monthold quarter horse filly that the kids named Presley. She will turn two this summer, and Equestrian Specialist MacKenzie Warren says this about her progress: “Presley is getting more confident by the day. She is sticking up for herself in the herd and seems to be in the #5 spot of 12 in the ‘pecking order.’ This is impressive because she is only half the size of most horses. She is also getting more independent. Before, she would always be right next to Sophie Sue (foster mom) or Archie (her buddy), but now, she often explores the property on her own.

She has gotten her hooves trimmed twice now by the farrier.

The first time she struggled just a little bit and tried to kick, but the second time, she was a rockstar.

She is already participating in Equine Therapy with our youth.

Presley does a great job helping kids learn to be assertive, without being aggressive. She has a very fluffy winter coat now and looks very cute, as always!”

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Memorial Listings

September 13, 2023 – December 31, 2023 A special word of thanks to all donors listed here who support Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation through their memorial and honor gifts.

KAYLA MAE ASHLEY Lanell & Kelly Ashley MIKE BACKEN Lorietta Lyders GEORGE BASYE Ron Paul & Kathy Holdener KELSEY BERRETH Darrell & Cheryl Berreth BRUCE BENSON Dave & Janet Hauptman CURTIS BEVOLDEN Lynnette Downs RON BROOKS Dan & Jan Connors BOB BULKLEY Ron Paul & Kathy Holdener ALLEN BUMMER Joanne Beery Darrell & Josie Dahlberg HECTOR & ANTOINETTE CARRIE Robert Manna CHAD Jonathan Hofer JOHN & ARLENE CLINGER Steven Clinger RICK COTTINGHAM Joseph Filson GARY C DAVIS Doris Holzer Patricia Scmitt ART DELMAN Fern Wolery DONNA DELP Jerry & Cheryl Whitman Bob & Gloria Ralston Joanne Beery DUANE & PEGGY DOYLE Steven Clinger ERWIN DOLE Steven Clinger IRENE ERICKSON Carol Erickson BILL FARNHAM Donna Farnham MARLENE FISHER Bob & Gloria Ralston DORIS FRASER Fern Wolery ADAM FUSELIER The Baltrusch Family Carl & Shari Carly & Linda Chad & Lisa Tod & Lisa Shannon Thibeault KATIE GILGE Steven & Lorraine Keller JAMES CALVIN GLOVER Robert & Rose Glover DONNA GRANT Neil Grant BRIAN GRAF Dan & Jan Connors ARCHIE GROOMS Steven Clinger NANCY GUENTHNER Jerry Chene & Karen Andre TIM HARDMAN Randy, Marsha & Nathan Wiley

Winter 2024

DAVE HARRIS Donna Quick GRACE & DICK HARTFELDER Taffy Stockdale RICHARD (DICK) HAY Chuck & Diana Chung Robbie & Ollise Griffith NICOLE EILEEN HAN Dr. & Mrs. Allen Han GARY HEILIG Jerry & Laura Kinsella BETTY ORTH HONAKER John Eastman Russell & Shilloy Lowe Eugene & Shirley Wood Ruehle Loren & Janice Soft Jerry Chene & Karen Andre JANICE SWENSON HUNTER John Ahlquist MARION JOHNS Bill & Pat Barringer ADDISON “SKIP” JOHNSON Marna Johnson EDMUND KLASNA Jerry & Cheryl Whitman JANICE KNUDSEN John & Linda Sorensen AILENE KUZARA Steven Clinger FRANK, BOBBIE, CRAIG, JOHN (BUDDY) & DORIS MANNA Robert Manna WANDA MELAND Jerry & Laura Kinsella DEVIN LEE MICHAELIS Deny & Diana Michaelis Kathy McCleary TERA MILLER Robert Manna MARY BETH MIROCK Gayle Stapleton Sally, David, Russ, Christine, Christopher, Tom and Bonnie Jesse Steve & Mary Ann Danko Wiktor Kolanko & Family Lindsay Gora & Family Lynn Simet Kim Raderstorf and Suzanne Condray Dave & Colleen Anthony David & Irene Flora Deborah Anaclerio Guillermo & Nancy Caceres Shirmulis Charitable Fund Kristi Patterson & Family Anne Keller Therese Wohlever EPH MAY Fern Wolery FAYE MOSS Kenneth Moss LILI MYERS Fern Wolery

JIM MULLER Fern Wolery DAN NEFZGER Mr. & Mrs. Arlee Fried FRED NELSON Fern Wolery KEN NELSON Fern Wolery RONALD NELSON Ron Ahlgren CHASE NORDQUIST Bev Johnston DUANE NYSTEDT Connie Meyer JUNE OLLMANN Laurie Hicks STEVE PAUL Mario & Maryellen Sternad Ron Paul MARC PRIEST Arlene Priest RYANN PREPUTIN Steven & Lorraine Keller ELI ISAICH RINDAL Rod & Lesa Rindal JABEZ W ROGERS Dan & Jayne Rogers WILMA SANTOYO John Eastman SR. MARILYN SCHIERBROCK Mary Kenealy BEVERLY SCHILLINGER Joanne Berry CHARLOTTE ADELE SCHWAB SCHMIDT Matthew & Marti Burroughs DONNA SCHWEITZER Fern Wolery TERRY STEVENSON Jerry & Laura Kinsella PATRICIA THOMPSON Carrol Lipp CARL WILSON Ron Paul & Kathy Holdener MARGARET WINHOFER Beverly Johnston BILL WOODS Fern Wolery LEONARD YOUNG Mr. & Mrs. Denis Freeland

IN HONOR OF: LUANN AAKHUS Andrew & Devan Flick ROBERT “BOB” LANGE Jerry & Cheryl Whiteman DAVID & KIM NEMER Raule Nemer GEORGE & KAREN PAGE Daniel Page JOHN POOLE Rachel Johnson TOM & BEVERLY TREANOR The Locketts (Shilo, Brian, Adam, and Ben) MR. & MRS. G BRUCE WILLIAMS John & Nancy Weaver

Pupdate

A youth walking Emmy Lou during a therapy session.

Hard to believe that Cooper turns three on February 14!

Yes, he is a Valentine’s puppy. Emmy Lou is ten and, although she has started to slow down a bit, still loves her job. I just picked up some more toys for them to destroy which they will do in rapid fashion.

Cooper

Emmy Lou is keeping, or at least trying, to keep Cooper in line, but sometimes he just doesn’t listen. The kids are so in love with Cooper, it’s awesome! Hearing the kids call his name as soon as they walk in the door is the highlight of my day. He responds lovingly to every one of them.

Both dogs greet the kids with a toy in their mouths and are ready for the petting to begin. One of Cooper’s favorite games is called “Chuck It!” in which the kids go outside and throw the ball for Coop over and over. He just Emmy Lou loves it, almost to the point of obsession. Emmy goes along for the walk and to look for deer poop.

Each to their own.

Both dogs are wonderful with both our children and guests. YBGR hosted a basketball tournament for county schools in early December, and they were the hit of the tourney.

Young and old alike asked where they were as soon as they walked in the door. The dogs are definitely our welcome wagon here at the UC!

Several of the kids will lay on Cooper’s bed with him and just pet him for as long as they can.

He loves it.

From Recreation Therapy Director Lisa Frazier

Memorial and Honor Gifts Form Mail form to: YBGR Foundation, P.O. Box 80807, Billings, MT 59108

Amount: $

Given by

Address

City

IN MEMORY OF:

IN HONOR OF:

Name

Name

City

State

State

City

Zip

State

Occasion:

SEND CARDS TO: Name Address

City

State

Zip

Memorial gifts can also be made online at yellowstonefoundation.org

7

2023 Adopt-ALodge Sponsors

With building maintenance costs remaining one of the largest needs, YBGR’s Adopt-A-Lodge program helps to offset some of the expense.

Businesses or individuals “adopt” a building, and the annual adoption fee goes toward needs of that building or more pressing needs for other buildings. Thank you to this past year’s sponsors: Charles M. Bair Family Trust First Interstate Bank Hoiness Family Foundation Willy & Julie Johnson Anderson, Hedge, Wagner, Keinitz & Assoc.

David Milkovich PacificSource Health Plans Pacific Steel & Recycling Pennmont Foundation Sodexo US Bank KE Construction

Jason & Craig with Pacific Steel & Recycling, a new AAL sponsor in 2023.

First Interstate Bank’s 2023 sponsorship helped with a new roof for the Uihlein Recreation Center.

The 2nd annual Yellowstone Chili Cookoff was held on Thursday, September 28th at the YBGR Jones Equestrian Center and just over $10,000.00 was raised for youth mental health services. Over 180 people attended the second-year event which featured chili prepared by the Staggering Ox, Tippy Cow Cafe, Soup & Such, Sysco, The Burger Dive, Adult Teen Challenge, Dr. Patricia Francisco Thomas, Skyler Carroll & the YBGR Jessie Grant Lodge Boys, and High Horse Saloon.

Top prize in the judging went to Adult Teen Challenge with Skyler Carroll & YBGR Jessie Grant Lodge Boys taking second, and The Burger Dive taking third. Skyler Carroll & the YBGR Jessie Grant Lodge Boys also won the People’s Choice award.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration and event sponsors: CHS, MarshMcLennan Agency and the Pub Station.

Caring People, Preparing MORE Youth for Life!

T

he pandemic is mostly a memory, but the effects on youth mental health are still being felt. Once the world tried to return to pre-pandemic normal, youth struggled to reacclimate to in-person school, social gatherings, or the effects of being trapped at home with their abuser, unable to find a safe place for reprieve.

At YBGR, the rate of referrals more than doubled compared to 2019 averages, and they just keep coming. “We knew we had to do something to increase our capacity and serve more youth. We needed to open another lodge, and we needed the staff to do it. We got to work with our partners at LinkedIn and Indeed and saw applications pour in,” said HR Recruiter Jake Mullins.

On December 15th, YBGR was able to open another lodge and start serving 10 more youth.

“We had so many happy parents and guardians that were able to get their child into a facility close to home and not have to look out of state where they might not be able to visit,” said The girls enjoy preparing a holiday meal at Admissions Coordinator Eric Spelhaug. the newly opened Fortin East Lodge.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Adult Teen Challenge contestants serving up their winning chili to YBGR board member Terry Moore.

Yellowstone Foundation staff prepare for the public to arrive.

To update your mailing address, please call 406-656-8772 or email us at info@yellowstonefoundation.org.

Official publication of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation | P.O. Box 80807 | Billings, MT 59108 Editor: Kristi Farver Oaks | Author/Photographer: Jasmine Hansen | Author: Abigail Uhrich Design Editor/Photographer: LeAnn Bennett