For Immediate Release Contact: Judi Dahlquist, Ranch Director of Communications 870.793.6841, ex. 24 judi@youthranches.com Youth Ranches to Honor U.S. Rep. Mike Ross at Benefit for DeGray Lake Campus El Dorado, Ark. (March X, 2008) –The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches (the Ranch) will honor U.S. Representative Mike Ross on April 5th at a dinner benefiting its DeGray Lake campus in Amity. The event will be held at the El Dorado Golf and Country Club at 6 p.m. “Congressman Ross has always worked towards making this state a better place for our children,” said Union County Sheriff Ken Jones. “It is through efforts such as his and many others that programs like the Ranch are able to continuously provide for our children in need. We look forward to a great night benefiting a great cause.” Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe is scheduled to be the event’s master of ceremonies. Beebe, a long-time supporter of the Ranch, is one of the founders of the Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner, an annual fundraiser held in the fall that helps support Ranch operations throughout the year. Founded by a group of concerned sheriffs and individuals in 1976, the Ranch seeks to address, remedy and prevent child abuse and neglect by creating safe, healthy and permanent homes for children. One of those founders was the late Chesley Pruet of El Dorado. Today, his wife Mrs. Elizabeth Pruet and his family continue to be big supporters of the Ranch, and in honor of their contributions, the Pruet family will be recognized at the dinner for their years of support. The Ranch opened the DeGray Lake campus in October 2003. Last November, the campus expanded to include two new facilities - the Walter S. Morris Chapel and the Troy D. Tucker Lodge. The new facilities provide educational and recreational opportunities for the more than 80 children who call the Ranch home. “The DeGray Lake campus exists to provide services for South Arkansas children and families in need, and that need is always great,” said Ranch CEO Mike Cumnock. “It takes more than $25,000 a year to care for one child. There are currently more than ten kids at the DeGray campus, and the number of referrals grows larger each day. Your support through this event will provide these children a second chance at growing up in a healthy home environment and gaining a proper education.” The public is welcome to attend the benefit. The event is being sponsored by Aubra Anthony, Jr. of Anthony Forest Products, Claiborne Deming of Murphy Oil Corporation, Steven Cousins of Lion Oil Company and Union County Sheriff Ken Jones. For ticket information, contact Catherine Johnson at (501) 821 -1021 or email at cjafund@swbell.net or Union County Sheriff Ken Jones at (870) 864-1970. Ross has represented Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District since 2000. A member of the House Committee on Energy and the Committee on Science & Technology, he has also been appointed to serve on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Parliamentary Assembly, where he represents the United States at meetings of the 26 NATO member countries. Ross continues to play a key role in supporting economic development, business growth, education issues, and the development of infrastructure. The Ranch began with two cottages in Batesville more than 30 years ago. Since then, it has grown to five campuses in Independence, Sharp, Clark, Crawford and Boone counties. More than 800 children have called the Ranch home, receiving what the Ranch considers the birthright of every child – the right to h­ealthcare, educational opportunities, a safe home and a loving environment. For more information about the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, visit www.youthranches.com or call 870.793.6841. Letters, comments, inquires, and Donations can be sent to: Re-Elect Ken Jones-Sheriff Union County Post Office Box 1975 El Dorado, Arkansas 71730 Powered by Websmith Designs ©ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Ken Jones for Union County Sheriff 2008