From the Desk of Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton

As we prepare to host the 9th annual fundraiser for the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes I thought it would be good to talk a bit about what the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes are and how they came about. The purpose of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes is, in the words of the Sheriffs’ Association, “to give our state’s most at-risk children the love, safety, and structure needed to become mature, successful adults.

The Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes grew out of a concern that the Sheriffs of Georgia have for abused and neglected children. During the 1950’s the sheriffs noticed that this was a growing problem across the state and began to consider ways to make a difference in the lives of these children who, through no fault of their own, had become victims of abuse and neglect. The sheriffs considered this project vital for these children and for our state.

In 1960 Georgia’s Sheriffs were able to open the first Georgia Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch near Hahira, Georgia. The Boys Ranch provided children an opportunity to learn “strong moral values, religious awareness, personal responsibility, teamwork and acceptance of authority, as well as how to overcome adversity” (Georgia Sheriffs’). This first campus was only the start of a vision that would continue to grow. Today there are four additional campuses that provide a nurturing atmosphere for boys and girls placed strategically across the state.

The Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes are designed to teach children that they are able to overcome their difficulties and that if they work for it, they can obtain a better life for themselves. I think that all children deserve to be given a chance to succeed.
On Friday, June 16, 2017 the Chatuge Gun Club and I will be hosting our 9th annual trap shoot at the Chatuge Gun Club shooting range located on Owl Creek Rd. Last year we added a banquet and will continue that tradition this year. The banquet will feature live music by the Chris Clinton Band and will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 beginning at 5:30 pm at the Towns County Recreation and Conference Center, located at 150 Foster Park Rd. All the proceeds go directly to benefit the children of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes and because the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes is a public charity, any donation to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes qualifies for the highest tax deduction allowed by law.