BRAZIL – Stronger families generally mean safer kids, safer schools, and safer neighborhoods, says Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse, president of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch.
To celebrate the strength of Indiana families and the safety of Hoosier hometowns, ISYR will host a special Grandparents’ Day event on Sunday, Oct. 29 from noon to 3 p.m. at the 62-acre training retreat, 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil, Ind.
ISYR’s first annual multi-generational event will be highlighted by student entertainment, a ceremonial groundbreaking of a nondenominational Joyful Manna Peace Chapel, and the unveiling of two new youth cabins to accommodate overnight visits by future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses, and victims of crime, Plasse said.
Joyful Manna Peace Chapel
Designed at no cost by Elevatus Architecture of Fort Wayne, Ind., funds for the Joyful Manna Peace Chapel were gifted by an anonymous donor from Southern Indiana and Pastor Phil Ping, a worldwide faith missionary and business leader from Indianapolis. Ping serves as senior chaplain of the Youth Ranch.
“Our Joyful Manna Peace Chapel will offer interdenominational faith materials,” said Cass County Sheriff Ed Schroder who volunteers as secretary of ISYR. “Like everything at ISYR, participation by students and other ISYR guests in Peace Chapel services and activities will be voluntary.”
Joyful Manna is a name used by philanthropist Ping on many of his humanitarian projects across the globe.
“Our Peace Chapel will be flanked by four youth cabins professionally designed at no charge by DLZ Corporation in Indianapolis,” Schroder said.
UAW 933, Dr. Everett Conrad Cabins
“During overnights, two- and three-day retreats, and weeklong leadership academies, our youth cabins will each house two chaperones and 10 students – future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids or young witnesses and victims of crime – depending on the type of group we are hosting,” said John Jones, owner of Southeast Indiana’s John Jones Auto Group and ISYR treasurer.
Jones said the first youth cabin is sponsored by United Auto Workers Local 933 in Indianapolis with the support of their brother and sister autoworkers across Indiana. Dr. Everett Conrad, formerly of Brazil, is the sponsor of the second 10-student, 2-chaperone cabin to be unveiled on Oct. 29. Each cabin will be fully insulated, handicapped accessible, HVAC-equipped, and furnished with bunkbeds donated by Marian University in Indianapolis.
A third youth cabin is being sponsored by the employees and inmates of the Indiana Department of Correction; a fourth by an Indiana family who has yet to publicly announce their monetary gift to ISYR.
Free K-6 Pumpkin Painting
ISYR will host their annual Sheriffs’ Pumpkin Painting Party as part of Grandparents’ Day. Free pumpkins and paints will be provided to all participating K-6 students. Halloween costumes are not necessary but are encouraged and welcomed.
Free pumpkin pie, apple cider, iced tea, and coffee will be served at ISYR’s Grandparents’ Day. No reservation is required. Parking is free. Handicapped spots and golf-cart shuttles are available at all on-site ISYR events, Jones said.
ISYR’s celebration of Grandparents’ Day is this year being sponsored by the Brazil Times and Terre Haute Tribune Star newspapers.
For more information, call 317-460-4242 or email ScottMinier@yahoo.com.
