September 2019
On behalf of the Beverage Alcohol Industry, Sky Ranch Foundation℠ has awarded a total of more than $300,000 in grants this year to several organizations which help rehabilitate our nation’s at-risk youth. The Beverage Alcohol Industry’s contributions have helped the Foundation to award grants to worthy organizations such as Atlanta, Georgia- based The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (theodbi.org).
Approaching a decade (February 2010) of caring, The ODBI provides at-risk teens and young adults programs proven to improve their education success, ongoing advocacy, support to their guardians and caring adults, and service to the community in a spirit of offering hope and positive systemic change. Why an orange duffel bag? When ODBI co-founder Sam Bracken was a homeless teen in Nevada, he received a full-ride football scholarship to GA Tech. He packed all he owned and all his hopes and dreams in an orange duffel bag, and his life was forever changed for the better by Coach Bill Curry, Dr. Homer Rice, and Georgia Tech’s Total Person Program. Bracken credits his success to education and caring adults.
Recently the organization hosted their annual charity golf event which was attended by Foundation President Ralph Aguera. “I have seen the passion this organizations’ staff applies to their work and have witnessed the enthusiasm in these troubled youths’ faces. The ODBI is an exemplary organization,” says Ralph Aguera.
Organizations wishing to receive a grant can link below to view the Foundation Guidelines: http://skyranchfoundation.org/grants/funding-guidelines/
For almost 6 decades the Sky Ranch Foundation’s SKY RANCH FOR BOYS® has been assisting young people rehabilitate their lives for the better. If you would like to join us in assisting in the rehabilitation of young people, please click on the contact page of our website skyranchfoundation.org for details.
The full list of beverage alcohol industry companies who support the Foundation can be accessed via a link on our Support page, SKYRANCHFOUNDATION.org/support, which also offers a link for donations. If you made a donation and do not see your company listed here, please contact doribryant501@gmail.com (note new email address).
Special thanks to Mark Brown’s Industry Newsletter and the following media outlets for their constant support: ABL-USA, BEVX.com and MODERN DISTILLERY AGE
George McCarthy, Chairman
Ralph Aguera, President
About Sky Ranch Foundation℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys®
Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded $3.6 million in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 59 years of tradition, Sky Ranch Foundation℠ is a tax-exempt charitable organization committed to identifying and offering grants to efficient and effective programs focused on improving the quality of help available to these youth. If you involved with or know of any organization that would fit our commitment we encourage you to visit our web site www.skyranchfoundation.org and apply for a grant.
Sky Ranch Foundation℠ is governed by a board of directors comprised mainly of active and retired members of the beverage alcohol industry. The Foundation’s funds have come largely from individuals and companies associated with the beer, wine and spirits industries and reflects the industry’s great concern and commitment for at-risk youth. www.skyranchfoundation.org