McAlister's Teams up with Boy's Ranch for Holidays

The McAlister’s team on Saturday morning gathered bright and early at the Sherwood Way location to prepare for the annual Helping Hands Project, whose aim is to raise funds for the local West Texas Boy's Ranch.

The project, which was initiated two years ago, seeks to procure donations earmarked for the WTBR, for use in living expenses and activities hosted throughout the year.

Whitney Shorb, public relations director for the WTBR, was on hand Saturday to explain a bit about the purpose of the ranch, and indicated that the entire organization runs on 99 percent donations. 

“It definitely helps a great deal,” she said in reference to the McAlister’s donations. “Everything at the ranch gets pretty expensive because we have so many kids, so every donation makes a really big difference for our kids.”

The boys ranch, Shorb said, provides at-risk kids a second chance to get things right by providing a living space, sports, activities and events for the youth to become involved and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

“We’re based on Christian values, a Christian foundation, so we want them to know the importance of that and just kind of give them a chance to make everything right in life; to give them a chance to become successful and become productive citizens once they leave,” she said.

Shorb said there are currently 26 boys staying out at the ranch, ranging from 12-18. The facility has the means to house up to 32 boys, and the children they invite in range from 8-18, she said.

The youth at the ranch live on site year-round, with the opportunity to go home every other weekend if desired to spend time with their families. Some come for shorter amounts of time, while others remain at the ranch until high school graduation.

McAlister’s General Manager Jonathon Ritschell was particularly fired up for his team to participate in the Helping Hands Project again this year, and expressed what the project means to him to the employees seated in the restaurant.

“Some of you know bits of my past; some of you don’t,” Ritschell said. “But my household didn’t have much. I didn’t grow up with much. What this place does is it gives these kids opportunities. A lot of us have been back when we were 15-16 years old; we made trouble. These opportunities keep these kids out of trouble, guys. Trust me, I wish somebody was there to keep me out of trouble…So understand that these things help these kids, it helps people in your environment…so give it your best shot, guys, and I know we’ll do great.”

To provide incentive for donations, customers who make a $2 or more donation will receive a $2 gift card to McAlister’s. Incentives for the McAlister’s team are also involved, with a pool of gift cards to various locations awarded to the person who brings in the most for the boy’s ranch.

Last year, Shorb estimated, the McAlister’s brought in approximately $7,000 during the project. This year, she’s hoping for that same success.

“It was a really big success [last year], and we are really excited about partnering with McAlister’s again this year,” Shorb said. “Thank you to the Concho Valley for coming out and supporting it.”