SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Compassion and concern beyond duty.

A vision to help at-risk children receive the love and care they deserve.

In 1964, these principles blossomed into the first Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, 25 miles south of Selma in Dallas County, when some members of the Alabama Sheriff’s Association came together to “get the kids before the trouble got them.”

One home grew into six before long and now 45 years later, there are four ranches in Danville, Pell City, Montgomery, Camp Hill and Summerdale that take kids from abused, neglected and abandoned homes and give them love, stability and consistency in a Christian environment.

The local ranch on County Road 32 off Highway 59 in Summerdale, run by Jim and Mindy Harmon, sits on 188 acres of farmland and provides an “oasis” of sorts for 10 boys in two different houses, Harmon said.

“We have two sets of house parents that live in the houses with the boys and provide spiritual, emotional and physical guidance each day. They go to public schools, have daily chores to do, are taught responsibility and manners and are shown the love of God,” Hamron said.

The boys are placed in the houses according to their needs and there is no limit to how long they can stay. Some come as small children and leave as young adults, Harmon said. “We prefer they stay with us for a long term so we can give them consistency and guide them through their daily lives. We will accept any child except those that are sexually abused. We don’t have the counseling capabilities to handle that.”

The house parents, affectionately called “mom and pop” work for 12 days and then are off four days. A set of relief parents take over on those four days the house parents are off. Staying involved in the boys school progress, the house parents help with homework and meet with teachers and will arrange for a tutor if necessary, Harmon said.

The boys can have contact with their parents if they choose to and if it’s not going to harm them, Harmon said.

“We encourage a home visit once a month if possible and they can spend the holidays with their parents if the circumstances are okay for that. We don’t have custody of the boys but we do like to keep them here as long as we can so they can have some consistency,” Harmon said.

The boys are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities at school and on the ranch where there is a gym with basketball and volleyball, weights, kickball and a pool to swim in. There is also a pond to fish in, land to hunt on and horses to ride, Harmon explained.

There is also a working farm where the boys are taught about a strong work ethic by helping with cows and horses, planting flowers and vegetables in the garden and learning how to use the tractors and farm equipment.

“This ranch is really a boy’s paradise. There is so much for them to do and learn here. They are getting a well-rounded education in all areas of their life,” said Jimmy Harmon, son of Jim and Mindy, who grew up on the ranch and is the public relations director for the ranch.

In addition to learning and playing, the boys also are getting spiritual guidance as well. They have daily devotions each night with their house parents and attend local church services at First Baptist Church of Foley. There is also a chapel on the ranch property they use as well.

“This is a faith-based ministry for us here. The Lord has really blessed us with this ranch and has provided for all our needs. We have never lacked for the things we need to keep this ranch going. He provides for us through people in the community and we are so thankful for that,” Harmon said.

In one instance where $5,000 worth of repairs needed to be made to one of the houses, Harmon shared he only had one week to get it done and did not have the money to do it.

“I knew we needed to get it done quickly so I prayed for God to provide the money for those repairs. By Friday, when the job was complete, I still didn’t have the money but I trusted God and before the repairman left, a couple stopped by and gave me a check for $5,000 because they felt like they needed to help out. Once again, God provided like He always does,” Harmon said.

And because the ranch is a nonprofit organization, they rely on community support and fundraisers to keep the ranch going. One of the biggest fundraisers is a yearly Pig Roast and Live auction. Held each March, this event proves to be lots of fun and is always well-attended. Harmon said they will gladly take any donations from the community for the auction and end up with some really nice things every year.

They also have a Sheriff’s Golf Tournament and the Blue Knights sponsor a bike ride for them each year. Harmon said other events like weddings, hay rides and church events are also held at the ranch during the year.

“We try to give these kids a sense of purpose and help them realize they are in a safe haven by building trust and giving them love and showing them compassion. That’s why we are here and will continue to do it as long as we can,” Harmon said.

For more information on the Boy’s Ranch, contact Jim Harmon at (251) 989-6392 or to make a tax-deductible donation, mail to: Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 157, Summerdale, Al 36580.