Joplin, MO. – Ozark Center Turnaround Ranch hosted members of the Freeman Health System Auxiliary as a way to express appreciation for the Auxiliary’s Board’s recent $8,000 donation, which will be used to further beautify the Ranch property. 

The donation comes right in time for some appealing finishing touches to the Ranch’s campus, which has been transformed by way of extensive renovations. Inside the Family Life Center building – where young residents and their families can spend quality time in a comfortable, family-room atmosphere – three new sofas, a large kitchen table and chairs, curtains, and blinds now finish out the space. 

Outside, meanwhile, shiny new park benches and a picnic table now afford Ranch residents and visitors a relaxing place to enjoy Ranch’s scenic duck pond – signs remind guests to please not feed the ducks. 

“As a society, we owe whatever we can do to help young people to be successful,” said Jim Rhea, Freeman Auxiliary vice president and finance committee chair. “The opportunity to help kids here at Turnaround Ranch get the support they need to live a healthy productive life is a small thing we can do for the kids.” 

Said Nathan Honeycutt, clinical director of Ozark Center Turnaround Ranch, “These contributions have provided a significant upgrade to the areas the kids and their families use during their visits. The families now have an environment that resembles their own homes and allows them to start the process of using the skills they learn in therapy sessions.” 

Following the check presentation, Turnaround Ranch staffers treated Auxiliary members to guided golf cart tours throughout the campus, followed by a reception at the Family Life Center building. 

Each year, Freeman volunteers raise money for the Auxiliary through Freeman Gift Galleries at Freeman West and Freeman Neosho Hospitals, raffles, sales, and various other events. Freeman Auxiliary also supports the purchase of hospital equipment, services, scholarships, and various community needs. 

Located off West 20th Street, Turnaround Ranch cares for approximately 100 adolescents, ages 13 to 18, who are experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. The overriding goal of this key Ozark Center program is to teach these young adults how to experience, regulate, and express their emotions in ways that are both socially and culturally acceptable, and to develop the skills they’ll need to live their lives to the fullest. 

PHOTO CAPTION:

To express gratitude to the Freeman Health System Auxiliary Board for its recent $8,000 donation to Ozark Center Turnaround Ranch leaders hosted members of the Auxiliary at Turnaround Ranch in West Joplin. Money from the gift is being used specifically for furnishings inside the Ranch’s Family Life Center building and for outdoor seating near a pond. The event included a check presentation, golf cart tours of the property, and a reception.