SKY RANCH FOUNDATION ℠ AND SKY RANCH FOR BOYS ® AWARD A $25,000 GRANT TO URBAN INITIATIVES

Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (skyranchfoundation.org) recently awarded a $25,000 grant to Urban Initiatives (urbaninitiatives.org)as inaugural funder of their newest program, Take the Lead, a program instrumental in helping to provide middle school students with the opportunity to engage with adult mentors and learn the merits of leadership, academic persistence and community service.

Collaborating with schools, parents and community stakeholders, Urban Initiatives, founded in 2003, empowers Chicago’s underserved children to adopt healthy lifestyles, improve their academic performance and build strong character through sports-based youth development programs.

“Urban Initiatives is a well-balanced platform, which brings the community together to support Chicago youth”, said George McCarthy, Foundation Chairman. Ralph Aguera, Foundation President furthers, “Their program is highly integrated and successful and reflects the Foundation’s commitment to assisting organizations such as these which focus on at-risk youth”.

Jim Dower, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Urban Initiatives “The Sky Ranch Foundation℠ has helped Urban Initiatives kids across Chicago take steps forward in their path to achieve academic success. We thank the Sky Ranch Foundation℠ for believing in Urban Initiatives as we continue to empower children across Chicago to reach their full potential by providing quality programming and safe spaces to learn and grow.”

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1.2 million in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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 ℠

SKY RANCH FOUNDATION ℠ AND SKY RANCH FOR BOYS ® AWARD $100,000 GRANT TO SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES ILLINOIS

January 4, 2016 –

Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (skyranchfoundation.org) recently awarded a $100,000 grant to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois (sosllinois.org) for the development of a new Community Center at its Roosevelt Square Village in the near west loop of Chicago. The Center’s foyer and lobby will be dedicated to Foundation Vice President and board member Peggy Donovan, whose decades-long affiliation with—and support of– Sky Ranch for Boys® and the Sky Ranch Foundation℠ has earned her the Foundation’s deepest gratitude.

In addition to her extensive career with Wirtz Beverage, Peggy volunteers as Guardian ad Litem for Florida’s 5^th Judicial Circuit and Secretary for Voices for Children of North Central Florida, Inc.  Since the Guardian ad item Program is state-mandated, Guardians are prohibited from fundraising for the program.  92% of funds raised by Voices for Children assist the Guardian Program. The Ad Litem program is a key component of ensuring the welfare of children who are referred to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“This is the largest single grant awarded by the Foundation to-date”, said George McCarthy, Foundation Chairman and President Ralph Aguera. “Through Peggy’s tireless efforts on behalf of Sky Ranch Foundation℠ in working with organizations such as SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, countless at-risk youth have received necessary rehabilitation and support. We are pleased to be able to recognize Ms. Donovan with this tribute.”

“SOS Children’s Villages Illinois is very appreciative of this transformational gift for our new Roosevelt Square Community Center…which is projected to serve over 5,000 people annually, offer an inspirational welcome to the children, families and community members served through our academic, therapeutic, social and recreational programming”, said Timothy McCormick, CEO SOS Children’s Villages Illinois.

This marks the 4^th grant in as many years that the Foundation has awarded SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. For 25 years, their unique program provides sibling group foster care, where children receive care and support from a full-time, professionally trained foster parent.

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1,162,070.48 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

December 1 2015 –

Every day, countless citizens volunteer their time and effort assisting those in need. At this time of the year, it is especially time to give thanks to those worthy charitable organizations and their staff and volunteers, who unselfishly and often thanklessly devote their time. We therefore wish to recognize and thank the Foundation Executive Committee, Senior Advisory Committee and Directors of Sky Ranch Foundation ℠, all in the Beverage Alcohol Industry, for their years of dedicated service toward assisting in giving at-risk youth a second chance. Foundation grants total well over $1 million to-date.

Executive Committee of the Board and Vice Presidents: Peggy Donovan, Secretary (retired-Wirtz Beverage Group), Mike Donohoe, (retired-Jim Beam Distilling), Barry Becton, DIAGEO, John Bodnovich, American Beverage Licensees and Bill Slone, Beverage Media Group.

George Suttles, Foundation Officer and Dori Bryant, Director of Partnership Development earn our thanks as well.
Senior Advisory Committee members: Steve Bellini, Sidney Frank Importing Co., Dr. Peter Cressy, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS), Bill Earle, National Association of Beverage Importers (NABI), Raymond R. Herrmann, Jr., Charmer-Sunbelt Group, Gerry Ruvo, Campari America and Craig Wolf, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA).

Directors: Tim Condron, Agave Loco, Donna Hood Crecca, Technomic Inc., Don Pydo, Wirtz Beverage Group, Aura Reinhardt, Bacardi, Jack Shea, Pernod Ricard USA, Jody Slone-Spitalnik, Beverage Media Group and Suzanne Riga, Greens Beverages (retired).

We encourage everyone to get involved and to lend support to Sky Ranch Foundation and the recipients of 2015 grants:

Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud, SD

Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Italy, NY

Boys and Girls Haven, KY

Pacific Lodge Youth Services, CA

Peninsula Outreach Programs Inc. Conductive Education Centers of California (POPS Kids), CA

Club for Boys Foundation, SD

Red Hook Initiative, NY

‘sacred’ Sexually Abused Children Relief Endeavor, KS

SOS Childrens’ Villages, IL

Urban Initiatives, IL

Wounded Warriors Family Support, NE (in association with DISCUS)

With your support, know that countless young adults are enjoying the Holidays!

George F. McCarthy, Chairman

Ralph Aguera, President

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1,117,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

October 27, 2015

Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (skyranchfoundation.org) and Sky Ranch for Boys ® awarded a $25,000 grant to Red Hook Initiative (http://rhicenter.org), the organization’s 3^rd grant from the Foundation in the past four years.

Serving as the epicenter of post Hurricane Sandy relief, Red Hook Initiative (RHI) received the New York Community Trust—New York Magazine Excellence in Nonprofit Management Gold Medal. Launched in 2002, RHI serves youth from middle school through age 24 and who are residents of the NYC Housing Authority Red Hook houses, Brooklyn’s largest housing project. The majority of Red Hook residents live in isolation, struggling with poverty and limited educational and employment opportunities. One of RHI’s guiding beliefs is that people within a community have the power to create their own social change; 90% of the staff members are from Red Hook.

George McCarthy, Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ chairman and Ralph Aguera, President agree, “We recognize and support, once again, the outstanding contribution Red Hook Initiative makes in their community toward the care of young people ‘caught in the cycle of poverty, addiction, gangs, crime and incarceration’.”

George Suttles, Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ Officer, recently attended RHI’s annual Taste of Red Hook held on September 29 in Brooklyn’s Liberty Warehouse. In the photo below are RHI youth Larry Fishbourne (red plaid shirt), Naheem Morris (black hat) and Robert Smith (far right). RHI Chairman of the Board Gregg Bishop (red tie) and Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ Officer George Suttles flank RHI Executive Director Jill Eisenhard. RHI Board member Dr. Millicent Comrie is also in the photo.

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®
Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1,117,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

SKY RANCH FOUNDATION ℠ AND SKY RANCH FOR BOYS ® AWARD TWO GRANTS TOTALING $20,000 TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ROSEBUD, SD

October 1, 2015

In the past four years, Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (skyranchfoundation.org) has awarded grants to fourteen deserving organizations. Many of these continue to receive our funding and this year several more have been added.  One such organization is the Mission, South Dakota-based Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud.  In an unprecedented move, the Club was awarded two separate $10,000 grants totaling $20,000.

After visiting with their Director, Glen Marshall, in late August, the Board was so impressed with the functionality and hands-on dedication of the staff, it was determined that an incremental award be given to this organization.

              Glen Marshall and Ralph Aguera 

While in South Dakota, Foundation executives George McCarthy, Ralph Aguera, President and Peg Donovan, Secretary attended a ceremony in Camp Crook honoring former Sky Ranch for Boys ® staff. Officiating was Mike Kilmer, former Sky Ranch Program Director, who conceived the idea of this memorial to honor the outstanding professionals who dedicated their time and resources toward the rehabilitation of at-risk youth during the 52 years of its existence. At any given time as many as 42 boys were in rehabilitative services. The Ranch continued until it was sold in 2011 due to economic difficulties. Sky Ranch for Boys ® and its good work will be missed but never forgotten.

                           Sky Ranch Memorial

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1,117,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

George F. McCarthy

August 25, 2015 – George F. McCarthy has been elected Chairman of Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (www.skyranchfoundation.org). Mr. McCarthy has been the Chairman of the Board of Corby Spirit and Wine Limited since 1999 and a director since 1993. He was President of The Americas, Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine (ADSW) from 1995 to 2000 and President of North America (of ADSW) from 1993 to 1995. Prior to 1993 he was President of Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Limited, Canada and President of Seagram Far East from 1988 to 1991. Before joining Seagram, Mr. McCarthy served in various executive positions with The Pillsbury Company and also held various sales and marketing positions with Heublein Inc. and E & J Gallo Winery.

Donald G. Pydo

Joining the Foundation as Director is Donald G. Pydo, Vice President, Governmental Affairs & Public Policy, Wirtz Beverage Group & Wirtz Corporation. As Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy for Wirtz Beverage Group and Wirtz Corporation, a leading alcohol beverage distributor, Don is responsible for building and executing the company’s political, legislative and regulatory platform nationally.

Ralph Aguera of Brown-Forman (retired) continues as President and is joined by Executive Committee members Barry Becton of DIAGEO, John Bodnovich of American Beverage Licensees, Mike Donohoe of Jim Beam Distilling (retired), Peggy Donovan of Wirtz Beverage Group (retired), Bill Slone of Beverage Media, George Suttles of U.S. Trust Bank of America and Dori Bryant of Glorious Spirits.

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $1,107.394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

July 2015 – At a Board meeting held recently in Tampa, Florida, Sky Ranch Foundation℠ (www.skyranchfoundation.org) reviewed Letters of Inquiry from several organizations that help in the rehabilitation of at-risk youth and has awarded $180,000 in grants to nine deserving organizations: Peninsula Outreach Programs, Inc and Pacific Lodge Youth Services of California, Rapid City Club for Boys and Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud of South Dakota, Boys and Girls Haven of Kentucky, Red Hook Initiative and Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy of New York and Urban Initiatives and SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois.

Our first 2015 grant, $10,000, was awarded to Peninsula Outreach Programs Inc. (POPS Kids) of California. Founded in 1993, POPS Kids serves those in the community who are unable to receive aid from traditional sources. The Family Assistance Program and the Referral Service Program provide a valuable safety net for those “falling through the cracks”. However, it is their Conductive Education Program, added to POPS in 1995, that filled the greatest and most immediate need. To learn more, visit www.popskids.org.

George McCarthy, Chairman and Ralph Aguera, President of Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ note, “We are proud to award a renewed grant to POPS Kids. Their continued good work has helped hundreds of at-risk boys and girls”.

Foundation VP Mike Donohoe with Jack Brennan, EVP Southern Wine & Spirits of CA and Ursula Miller, Founding President and CEO of POPS Kids.

Ursula Miller, Founder and CEO of POPS Kids says, “For the third year in a row Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ is generously supporting Life Without Limits, a unique program providing opportunities for motor disabled children to enjoy summer recreation. The generosity of the beverage alcohol industry at large, including Sky Ranch Foundation and Southern Wine & Spirits, has been a lifeline for our program expansion in Northern and Southern California. We could not grow these programs without their ongoing support and we are most grateful.”

Please join the Foundation ℠ at our memorial ceremony in South Dakota on Saturday August 29 as we unveil a distinctive plaque designed to honor the dedicated men and women who worked at Sky Ranch for Boys ® during its 51 years of service.  For information, contact Dori Bryant at 727-947-3522 and doribryant@aol.com.

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $922,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

June 2015 –

On Saturday August 29, 2015 Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ (skyranchfoundation.org) will host a memorial ceremony dedicated to the outstanding professionals-teachers, counselors and staff-of the former Sky Ranch for Boys ®. Their combined talents gave countless troubled youth another chance.

For more than 50 years, Sky Ranch Foundation’s ℠ Sky Ranch for Boys ® had been helping young people to rehabilitate their lives. Closed in 2011, Sky Ranch for Boys ® was a campus and working ranch located on the South Dakota/Montana border.  During its first 50 years, Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ membership focused on supporting the Ranch ® with donations received primarily from the beverage alcohol industry. In light of an economic trend toward community based alternatives, the Foundation ℠ leadership shifted its focus with a pledge to provide grants to quality programs delivering assistance to at-risk boys and girls, continuing the good work pioneered at Sky Ranch for Boys ®.

Please join the Foundation ℠ Board at the ceremony in Camp Crook, South Dakota on Saturday August 29 as we unveil a distinctive plaque designed to honor the dedicated men and women who worked at Sky Ranch for Boys ® during its 51 years of service.

For information, contact Dori Bryant at 727-947-3522 and doribryant@aol.com.

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®  www.skyranchfoundation.org ℠

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $922,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠

Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ Awards Grants to Support Pacific Lodge Youth Services and Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy

March 2015 – Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch for Boys ® has awarded a $25,000 grant to support Pacific Lodge Youth Services and $40,000 to Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy.

Founded in1923, Pacific Lodge Youth Services (www.plys.org) creates a supportive and therapeutic residential environment for boys ages 13-18 in the juvenile justice system who are experiencing psychological, emotional or behavioral problems. With over 68 years of success supporting at-risk young people, Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy (www.bgti.org) have helped troubled youth to acquire formal education and vocational training, fulfilling the skills necessary to integrate into society.

Ralph Aguera, President of Sky Ranch Foundation ℠, remarked,”both organizations continue to support our mission of helping at risk youth. We commend them on their outstanding contribution and good work.”

Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ awarded a total of $192,500 in grants in 2014. Recipients also included Red Hook Initiative ($25,000), Sky Ranch Behavioral Services ($27,500), SOS Childrens’ Villages ($40,000), Voices For Children of North Central Florida, Inc ($40,000) and Wounded Warrior Family Support ($20,000).

About Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys ®

Since 2011, the Foundation ℠ has awarded $922,394 in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 50 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.

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 ℠