Volunteers build bunkhouse at Renewal Ranch
By CAROL ROLF Contributing Writer
Thursday, July 15, 2010
RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — If you build it, they will come. James Loy knows this statement of hope, made popular in a movie some years ago, to be true.
As director of Renewal Ranch in Perry County, Loy and a host of other supporters and volunteers gathered July 8 for the Team Depot Build Day at Renewal Ranch. Their mission? To build the first of 10 bunkhouses for the faith-based, long-term rehabilitation program – directed by Loy and his wife, Laura – for men with addiction. Another team of volunteers from Conway’s Central Baptist Church gathered Saturday to continue the building blitz.
“Our goal is to be open Nov. 1,” Loy said, smiling. “My phone is already ringing off the wall with people needing help. It breaks my heart that we cannot help them right now. I have to refer them to someplace else.
“I want to say, ‘Come on,’ when they call,” Loy said. “I want to give them the opportunity that God afforded me – freedom (from addiction).”
The building blitz for this first bunkhouse, which will house six men, was made possible through a $20,000 community grant from The Home Depot Foundation.
Loy, who works for Home Depot in Conway, said the Home Depot’s community grantsprogram supports the work that local nonprofit organizations, public schools and other community organizations are doing to improve the physical health of their neighborhoods.
“We are delighted to support local projects aimed at creating healthier, more stable communities where families can thrive,” Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation, said in a prepared statement. “Renewal Ranch deserves tremendous credit for the work it is doing, and we are glad to be a part of their effort.”
“We began at 8 this morning,” said Gary Metheny of Conway shortly after lunch on July 8. He is a district director for the home-improvement business.
“We brought lumber and blocks, as well as other supplies and equipment,” Metheny said. “We also brought 48 to 50 Home Depot associates from eight stores throughout Arkansas.”
Those stores include Conway, Cabot, Batesville, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, west Little Rock, southwest Little Rock and Benton.
Loy said a number of dignitaries were on hand Thursday, including District 30 state Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway; District 60 state Rep. Johnny Hoyt, DMorrilton; District 45 state Rep. Linda Tyler, D-Conway; Jack Bell of the Conway Mayor’s Office; and Perry County Sheriff Scott Montgomery and some of his deputies. Various churches were represented as well, including Central Baptist Church, Family Life Bible Church, The Landing and Cornerstone Bible Church.
David Stobaugh, owner of Stoby’s Restaurant, provided breakfast and lunch for the volunteers.
“It’s been great to see the community come together today,” Loy said, “It’s a testament to the impact this facility will have on the community.”
Loy said he hopes Renewal Ranch, with its motto “Restoring Broken Lives Through Christ,”will reach those in need in several counties, including Perry, Faulkner, Conway and Pulaski.
There is still much work to be done, said Loy, who is a recovering addict himself. He is a 2005 graduate of the John 3:16 Ministry rehabilitation program near Batesville, which serves as a role model for Renewal Ranch. Loy was ordained as a minister on Aug. 23, 2009, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Batesville.
“We’re looking for volunteers to come and work every Saturday,” Loy said. “What we need immediately is a master plumber. Anyone interested in volunteering may call me at (501) 680-4895.”
“What we also need is for churches in the community to step up and make monthly donations to the ranch as part of their ongoing mission work,” he said.
Loy said Renewal Ranch has received an anonymous donation for $80,000 in matching funds.
“If we can raise $40,000 in one-time donations, this donor will match it,” Loy said. “If we can get $40,000 in pledges, the donor will match that as well, for a total of $80,000.”
Vicki Critcher of Greenbrier, who serves on the Renewal Ranch Board of Directors, said there are various fundraisingopportunities for church or civic organizations.
“Some group could sponsor a room,” she said.
Loy noted that room sponsorships are $10,000.
Critcher, who worked for the John 3:16 Ministry before moving to Greenbrier, said the public is invited to tour the ranch at any time.
“Once they get here, they’re hooked,” she said with a smile.
“We especially want to reach out to local businesses in all of the counties that we hope to serve and let them know that once these men come to the ranch for rehabilitation, they will be seeking jobs within the community,” Critcher said.
There is no charge to the men during their six-month stay at Renewal Ranch.
“Our goal is to offer them the opportunity to know Christ, rebuild their lives, restore their broken families and to help them become productive citizens of society,” Loy said.
Renewal Ranch is on approximately 90 acres near the Faulkner-Perry county line in the Toad Suck community. The ranch’s address is 29 Lake Drive, Houston Ark. For more information, call Loy at (501) 680-4895.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 63 on 07/15/2010
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, River Valley & Ozark Edition
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