Thanksgiving Appeal 2025
Dear Friends,
As Thanksgiving approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the many reasons we are grateful, and at the top of that list is you. Your generosity has once again made it possible for The Ranches to provide a year filled with hope, healing, and growth for the young people who call this place home. Because of you, they have a safe haven where they are seen, valued, and given the chance to begin again.
Many of the children who come to The Ranches have spent their young lives facing challenges no child should have to face. Some arrive with a deep sense of loss, others with the ache of being forgotten or unseen. They carry the weight of uncertainty, and trust does not come easily. Yet over time, something begins to change. Surrounded by consistent care and guided by patient mentors, they start to discover that this is a place where promises are kept and kindness is real. A shared meal, a helping hand in the barn, or a word of encouragement in the classroom becomes the first step toward healing a heart that has been hurt for far too long.
This year, we have seen remarkable growth in both learning and life. Our classrooms have been filled with determination and small triumphs that mean everything. Kids who once struggled to believe in themselves are now not only improving academically but beginning to take pride in their progress. They are asking questions, setting goals, and imagining futures that once felt impossible. Education is becoming more than a requirement; it is a pathway to self-worth and opportunity.
Healing, too, continues to unfold in quiet and powerful ways. We have watched young people learn how to process their emotions, communicate their needs, and find peace in the presence of others.
This season reminds us of how much can change when hope is restored. The young people at The Ranches are growing into stronger, more confident individuals because of your willingness to give. Every act of generosity, every prayer, and every kind word you offer helps us continue this mission. You may never see all the moments your gift makes possible, but please know that they are countless. They live in every smile, every success, and every step forward.
This Thanksgiving, as we pause to give thanks,
we are deeply aware that we could not do this work without you. You are part of every story of transformation that happens here. Because of you, children who once knew only survival are discovering what it means to truly live, to dream, and to believe that they are worthy of a brighter tomorrow.
As you gather this Thanksgiving, I hope your day is filled with warmth, laughter, and gratitude for the blessings of the past year. When I take time to reflect on my own blessings, I find myself especially thankful for you and for your faith in the work we do. Because of your generosity, I am able to walk beside children who are learning to hope again.
Sincerely,
Mikela Kull – President
