Remember for a minute a time when you (probably in grade school) had to be in a small play or school music program. You were probably very excited, a bit nervous, and for most of us eager to please our parents, grandparents, siblings, etc with our talent. After the program you may have gotten ice cream or pizza accompanied by lots of praise and hugs from a very exuberant family. At bedtime you fell soundly asleep feeling loved, appreciated, and like you could do anything. All of that made singing or acting or speaking in front of strangers a bit easier; Right?

Now look at our choir for the evening. It’s made of boys from GSBR. Boys who don’t have a family, boys who don’t have a home to go back to, boys who have survived abuse that we can’t imagine, boys who only want someone to care and love them and boys who want the hurting to stop. And with all of this our boys step up on the stage mostly in front of people they don’t know or trust and they sing and they sing. They put themselves out there and what do they want out of it? The same thing we did—-someone to pat them on the back, praise them, and to go to sleep feeling loved and appreciated.

I am often amazed at the things our boys from the Ranch are willing to do. Even with a “normal” life it’s hard for us to challenge ourselves and try new things so just imagine how it must be for them.

In the end our boys do it and they do it as best they can all in hopes of having someday what we have now.

Boys Ranch, Mother Road Motorcycles Transform Bike and Lives

The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in partnership with Mother Road Motorcycles have completed a project which will help raise the self-esteem of residents at the facility and raise funds for the services provided to at-risk teenage boys.

Helping with Horsepower Bike Rebuild Program began in October 2012 with the donation of a 2006 Harley Davidson police motorcycle which the boys, along with the help of many volunteers and sponsors, have rebuilt to a custom motorcycle which will be raffled in September. The completed bike will be on display at various bike shows and events throughout the summer where raffle tickets can be purchased for a $20 donation to the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch.

The boys have named the bike “Cycle of Change” to reflect their ongoing efforts at changing their lives for the better while they are residents at the Ranch.

The Ranch and Mother Road Motorcycles will host an appreciation luncheon and unveiling of the bike at Mother Road Motorcycles, 1610 East St. Louis in Springfield on Wednesday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to Kirk Wheeler, owner of Mother Road Motorcycles and Wheeler Auto.

“We are excited to partner with the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch to helping them transform this 2006 Harley Davidson while they are working to transform their lives during their stay at the Ranch,” said Kirk Wheeler. The project is modeled after a similar effort at Abbott House, a home for girls located in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Additional partners in the project include local sponsors Ray Johns Hot Rods and Harleys, Redline Finishes, Whites Auto Restyling, Transport Graphics and national sponsors Klock Werks, Rampage Wheels, Kuryakyn, and  Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation.

You can see the bike this month at:

May 12 – Knuckle Draggers Car & Bike Show, Macadoodles Beer Garden benefit for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, 10 am to 4 pm

May 13 – Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Charity Golf Tournament at Millwood Country Club

May 15 – Sponsors Thank-You Luncheon at Mother Road Motorcycles  11 am to 1 pm

May 19 – Live Concert at 7 C’s Winery in Walnut Grove, 2 pm to 6 pm

May 31 – Missouri Harley Owners Assoc. Rally Kick-off and Concert on the Square in Springfield, 6 pm to 10 pm

Bolivar Insulation / Empire Bank

Charity Golf Tournament

DATE: Monday, May 13, 2013

TIME:  11:30 a.m. Lunch, 12:30 p.m. Tee time

PLACE:  Millwood Golf and Racquet Club

SPONSOR:  Bolivar Insulation & Empire Bank

COST:  $150 per golfer/$600 4 person team/other sponsor levels available

Click below to download a registration brochure

All proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch.

Entry fee includes:

Cart & Green Fee

Gift Package

BBQ Cook-out lunch

Course refreshments

Light dinner

Prizes in four flights

Drawing for door prizes

Register Online | Sponsorship Opportunities & Registration

Single Golfer – $150

4 Person Team – $600

Thanks Sponsors

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch & Footsteps Transitional Living

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch is looking for caring individuals or couples who would like to serve as a mentor and resource for young men ages 12-20. Visiting Resource volunteers make monthly visits to residents at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and Footsteps who have no family or support system. Spending just a few hours each month can make a difference in the life of one of these young men!

• Flexible hours
• Rewarding work
• Visits can be made onsite or for outings such as church, dinner or sporting events
• Background check and personal references required

Call 376-2238 or 864-6698 for more information on volunteering!