BUTLER COUNTY, Kansas -- The scheduled auction of the Kansas Jaycees' Cerebral Palsy Ranch is now off. The 151-acre ranch was in serious financial trouble.
The situation was bad enough that there was no camp this summer. But the tide has now turned and the ranch has been given new life.
"It's awesome that it gets to stay here lots and lots of people are so happy,” said Cheryl Schmeidler, a board member with the ranch.
Most of the funding for the ranch came from the Kansas Jaycees‘ over the years, but membership has dwindled and so have the donations.
When former Jaycee Ted Boatwright heard about the troubles, he stepped in and called other Jaycees and camp supporters.
“There are still several thousand past Kansas Jaycees in the state and folks that really care about this ranch that are more than happy to help,” Boatwright said.
The ranch Board of Directors and the Jaycees now have a fundraising plan to get the ranch financially stable.
“We all kind of got together and said, ‘We've got to figure out a way to stop this,’" Boatwright added.
What they did already seems to be working.
"People are out there and they care and that’s what we need at this point,” Schmeidler said.
Supporters have donated about $12,000. The goal is to get $ 65,000 in 45 days.
After hearing about the financial troubles, many donors say they will once again send in money to keep the ranch. The news is promising for the hundreds of kids and adults who will once again have something to look forward to next summer.
"The grass will be cut, the pool will be clean, and we will be operating like we have in the past,” Schmeidler said.
