PAID
NON-PROFIT
U. S. POSTAGE
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PERMIT NO. 159
Isaiah 61:3
EST. 1974
Post Office Box 507 • Springville, AL 35146
HELP US BE GOOD
STEWARDS OF
GOD’S MONEY.
Please notify us if
you would like to be
removed from our
mailing list or
have had a
change of address.
P.O. Box 507 • Springville, AL 35146
Phone (205) 467-6226 • Fax (205) 467-6206
September/October 2012
“So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” Isaiah 61:3
Big Oak Ranch is a Christian home for children needing a chance. The
Ranch takes in children between the ages of six and eighteen who are
orphaned, abused, neglected, or homeless. Comfortable two-story
brick houses are home for up to eight children and a quality Christian
couple. Our houseparents provide the consistent love, discipline and
direction our children so desperately need and deserve.
Big Oak Ranch, Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that is privately funded. The ministry consists of:
A) Big Oak Boys’ Ranch in Gadsden, AL
B) Big Oak Girls’ Ranch in Springville, AL
C) Westbrook Christian School in Gadsden, AL
The Timbers mailing list is confidential and is not shared with any
other organization. Questions, comments or corrections should be
addressed to the attention of Rhonda Hindman.
Board Members
Big Oak Ranch is owned and operated by Big Oak Ranch, Inc.
and its board. We would like you to know our working Board
of Directors:
Miller Welborn (Chairman), President, Welborn &
Associates Inc., Lookout Mountain, TN
Patsy Burks, Chairman of the Board, Lighting & Lamp,
Birmingham, AL
Richard Grimes, Senior Vice President, RealtySouth
Birmingham, AL
Jim Leonard, Leonard Properties
Birmingham, AL
Darrell Piatt, Alabama Power (Retired)
Birmingham, AL
Sandy Sansing, Owner, Sandy Sansing Nissan, BMW &
Chevrolet, Pensacola, FL
William B. Eyster, Jr. (Board Emeritus), Eyster
Properties, Inc., Birmingham, AL
Randy Pittman, (Board Emeritus), Samford University,
Birmingham, AL
Christmas Sponsors
Would you like to sponsor one of
our children for Christmas?
If so, or if you have any questions or would like
more information on how to make Christmas special
for a child at Big Oak, please contact:
Boys’ Ranch – Donna Duke (256) 892-0773
Girls’ Ranch – Lynn Hazard (205) 467-6226
October
Max
Nina
Ally
Braxton
Rebekah
Addyson
10/02/97
10/03/97
10/04/94
10/14/00
10/17/01
10/18/06
November
Houston
Bronson
Kira
Juelz
Gail
Kayla
Haley
Chase
Karen
Francisco
Tyddus
Harold
Gilberto
Dakota
11/01/97
11/01/02
11/07/00
11/09/05
11/09/04
11/11/99
11/13/95
11/20/97
11/21/97
11/21/95
11/23/96
11/25/00
11/26/97
11/29/97
December
P. J.
Christian
Will
Kyleigh
Amber
Brett
Hallie
Tyler
T. J.
Craig
12/06/00
12/10/99
12/10/06
12/10/04
12/12/96
12/19/01
12/30/97
12/30/95
12/30/94
12/31/94
ON THE COVER
Lorenza is 14 years old
and lives in the
Nonnie Brewer Home
with her houseparents
Tony and Rhona Osborne.
A
s we move into the fall season of the year, our children are already
working on their Wish Lists for Santa. They are just like your children
and grandchildren – they want Santa to be as generous as he wants to
be! They definitely won’t fuss over having too many gifts. However, you and
I want them to truly understand the meaning of the season and why we
celebrate it.
Why not do something different this year? Begin a conversation with your
family by asking them, “What can we, as individuals and as a family, do for
others this Christmas to honor Jesus?”
I promise you will be surprised by the responses you will get from your
children. We sometimes assume they will be selfish – but given the chance,
they are more creative and generous than we can possibly imagine.
Why not write down the responses and, as a family, decide the best thing to do.
By doing this, you will be allowing your children to show their real heart, and
be personally involved in honoring the One whose birth we celebrate.
You can have another excessive, gift-giving party this year, or you can create
a memory that your children will probably pass on to your grandchildren. You
determine the course of this year’s Christmas spirit for your family. Where do
you want to go?
Thank you for loving our children!
Your friend,
A Note From the Business Office
on Planning for Year-End Gifts
◆ To receive a receipt dated in 2012, your gift must be in the
mail and postmarked (US Post Office postmark) by
December 31, 2012.
◆ If you wish to make an honorarium or memorial gift for
Christmas, it must be in our Business Office no later than
December 14, 2012.
◆ If you are planning a gift of Marketable Securities:
• Please phone our Business Office for transfer instructions and give them your name, address, quantity and
description of the securities you are contributing.
• If possible, please make your gifts of securities by
December 26, 2012.
◆ If you are planning a Non-Cash gift (auto, etc.), please
phone our Business Office for new IRS rules. All NonCash gifts and titles must be in our possession by
December 28, 2012.
John Croyle
Executive Director
Thanks for your support and for loving our children throughout
the year!!
The Business Office Staff
John & Tee Croyle
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Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
Mom Perkins and
Michael take a
moment to flash their
winning smiles!
Josey celebrates his 17th birthday! Olé!
17 years old
Coach Osborne and Kajuan talking football.
Colby gives “Eat Mor Chikin”a thumbs up.
13 years old
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Is 17 years old
Has been a resident of Big Oak Ranch for 4 years
Lives in the Bonds Home with houseparents Jeremy & Janet Cockrell
Is a senior at Westbrook Christian School
Plans on attending Gadsden State Community College and transferring to a
4 year college to pursue a degree in nursing
Attends Harvest Field Church and participates in youth activities
Played on Westbrook’s JV football team and currently plays on the varsity
football team
Played on JV and varsity baseball team
Played on the Varsity B basketball team as well as church league basketball
Has a job at a local fast food establishment
Is a great big brother and has a heart for wanting to help others
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Elias and DeVernon hamming it up for the camera!
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14
5
DVD Players
Plastic Containers w/Lids
Life Jackets for Canoeing
Patio Umbrellas (Brick red)
School Supplies (Folders with
Brackets & Pockets, Notebook
Paper, 3 in. Black or White 3-Ring
Binders, Spiral Notebooks)
• Large Skillets with Lids
• Heavy Duty Cookware
Please send donated items to:
Big Oak Boys’ Ranch Inc.
250 Jake Mintz Road, Gadsden, AL 35905
Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
Amber (middle) loving her sisters Jessie (left) and Vanessa (right)
to “DEATH”!! ha ha
Kira and Autumn are “scissor happy”
15 years old
Silas gives his big sister Izzy a kiss...how adorable
11 years old
• Is 15 years old
• Has been a resident of Big Oak Ranch for 31/2 years
• Lives in the Jernigan Black Home with her houseparents Chad and
Lauren Durrett
• Is a sophomore at Westbrook Christian School
• Is an active member of the youth group at Spring Valley Church
• Is enjoying her 2nd year as a part of the Westbrook Drumline
• Strives to help others and is a friend to everyone around her
• Listens to music, enjoys movies and skates often
• Is an intelligent young lady and works hard in school
• Makes thoughtful, mature decisions and expresses herself well
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Amanda and Karen helping out on “Hay Day”
Torey (bottom) has had
it up to her neck with
Tiffany (Left) and
Lorien (Right)
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is
gracious will have the king for his friend.
Proverbs 22:11
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4-6 cup coffee pot
Iron & over the door ironing board
4-6 sets of plates with silverware
Kitchen towels and wash cloths
Small pots and pans sets
Small cutting board
Small set of cooking utensils
Large plastic storage tubs
Face wash
Sleeping bags
Gift wrap supplies (Misc. & Christmas)
Cardstock
23 gallon kitchen trash can
Can opener for tall cans
Christmas tree lights (white)
XL crock pots
Kitchen timers
Christmas wreaths
Please send donated items to:
Big Oak Ranch Inc.
P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146
Boys’ Ranch Director
Girls’ Ranch Director
Noel & Renee Vice
& Family
Jonathan & Joyce
Smidt & Family
BONDS HOME
BRYANT HOME
BULLOCK HOME
BREWER HOME
DARDEN HOME
EDDLEMAN-MANN HOME
Jeremy & Janet Cockrell & Family
Dave & Robin Bolin & Family
Mike & Kim Perkins & Family
Tony & Rhona Osborne & Family
Todd & Tracy Moore & Family
Mike & Suzanne Miller & Family
HANNAH HOME
McCOLLOUGH HOME
MCELRATH HOME
J. E. BLACK HOME
JERNIGAN HOME
McDANIEL HOME
Zach & Leanne Jenkins & Family
John & Robin O’Leary & Family
Barry & Donna Ryan & Family
Charlie & KT Miears & Family
Chad & Lauren Durrett & Family
Chris & Lorissa Copeland & Family
SANSING HOME
SPRADLING HOME
THOMPSON HOME
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Matt & Amy Maurer & Family
Lester & Leslie Hales & Family
Jae & Amy Thomas & Family
John & Tee Croyle
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9
As you can see from the pictures, we once again had a BLAST on our annual trip
to Panama City Beach! Mr. & Mrs. Ted Garbutt, and David, Kristy and John Haas
blessed us ONCE AGAIN with housing at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat – as
they do EVERY year. As if they hadn’t already done enough, the Haas family fed
us all dinner one night and gave us a “Fun Day” on the water - - which made this
year extra special. We were once again hosted by First National Bank employees,
and Mr. and Mrs. Al Qualls, for a fun-filled time at Chik-fil-A, including clowns,
face painting and balloons. Thanks SO much to everyone who made our Big Oak
Ranch Family beach trip unforgettable this year!!
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Big Oak directors and housedads participated in a “Watermelon Helmet Contest” during our trip and Mr. Noel took first place!
The following people have made contributions to Big Oak Ranch in Memory or in Honor of family members, friends, & loved ones.
The contributions were received between 08/07/2012 — 09/11/2012. If your name does not appear, please look for it in our next Timbers.
We regret the unintentional omission or misspelling of names on these lists.
In Honor of:
Mrs. Joann Bashinsky
Ms. Connie Reeves
Mr. Ty Batchelor
Mr. & Mrs. Willis Woolbright
Ms. Haley Burns
Mr. & Mrs. David Champa
Mr. Gene Clement
Ms. Connie Reeves
Rev. Jerry Curry
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Bryant
Mr. Ted Garbutt
Ms. Connie Reeves
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Gill
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Moore
John & Dave Hass
Ms. Connie Reeves
Dawn Hoffman
Ms. Pat Weitnauer
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Jayne
Ms. Cheryl Wiegmann
Mr. & Mrs. Zack Jenkins
Mr. & Mrs. Hubert York
Mr. & Mrs. Zackery Jenkins & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Hubert York
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Jordan & Family
Mrs. Willie Mae Jordan & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Knisely
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
Col. & Mrs. Harry Lombard
Ms. Donna Wadsworth
Dr. & Mrs. John T. McCarley
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
Bud & Toots Merkl
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry W. Stewart
Mr. Joe Merrell
Gary & Bridgette Johnson
Mr. Michael Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Mike B. Miller
Mr. Phil & Trish Nelson
Mr. & Mrs. Postal
Dr. Randy Nichols
Mr. Ralph Regan
Jadyn & Jordyn Panzer
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Panzer
Mr. Al Qualls
Ms. Connie Reeves
Mrs. Sheri Salmon
Ms. Pat Weitnauer
Mr. & Mrs. Caleb Schmidt
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
My children: Rick Scholl, Sheri Salmon,
Dawn Jones
Ms. Pat Weitnauer
Mrs. Frances Stanley
Mr. Dennis T. Barrow
DeWitt & Ann Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry W. Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Gary V. Thomas & Family
Mrs. Willie Mae Jordan & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Trent Wright
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
In Memory of:
Geraldine "Jerri" Adams
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Garnett
Mrs. Billie Adderhold
Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Pappalardo
Jessica Bagwell
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mr. Raymond Bailey
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mrs. Flora Barker
Because We Care Group Tallaweka
Baptist Church
Mr. Jerry Barker
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph McGrew
Mrs. Hazel Barnett
Mrs. Peggy Barnett
Mrs. Sally Eppison
Mrs. Janice Mahoney
McAdory High School Empathy
Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Tucker
Mr. Drew Battle
Doctor's Outpatient Center, Inc.
12
Mr. Joe Bean
Marcus & Zoe Cassimus
Mr. Joseph S. Bean
Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott
Mr. & Mrs. Beiser
Ms. Ann L. Weigler
Mr. John Blair
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Rogers
Mr. Paul E. Boozer
Mrs. Carolyn W. Andrews
Mr. & Mrs. Floyd S. Bennett
Mr. James M Boozer
Mr. & Mrs. Woody McCluer
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sawyer
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Sharp
Mr. Mark Washington
Mrs. Evelyn Borst
Mrs. Judy Page
Mrs. Jim Bowman
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Grimmitt
Mr. Peter Bragan
Leslie & Betty Longshore
Mr. James Andrew Brand
Mrs. Carolyn W. Andrews
Mr. Mac Brauddus
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Russell
Mrs. Lee Parker Bryant
Mrs. Betty (Peggy) Heaps
Mr. Danny "Coach" Buckalew
Mrs. Mildred Walley
Mr. Paul Butrus
Marcus & Zoe Cassimus
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Jack Calk
Mrs. Eugenia Calk
Benjamin Henley Carr
Mr. & Mrs. Gaynell Brunson
Mr. & Mrs. James Burks
David & Debbie Carr
Wesly Carr
Mr. & Mrs. Lyndel Graves
Dave & LeAnna Huddleston
Edgar Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Richard McFalls
Ms. Julia Pegues
Mr. Charles Mack Chaviers
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Lineberry
Mr. Gerald L. 'Bubba' Childress Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Childress
Mr. A.L. "RED" Chiles
Ms. Joyce McClusky
Mrs. Betty Clark
Mrs. Judy Page
Ms. Leann Clark
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson W. Cook
Ronnie Clark
Mrs. Judy Page
Mr. John Coles
Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Shepherd
Mr. Walter "Hammer" Cureton
Ms. Georgiana G. Breeding
Mrs. Kecia Deason
Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Deason
Mr. Royce Decker
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Smith
Mr. Donald Gene Dehart
Mrs. Judy Page
Mr. Daniel Edris Dendy
Ms. Jewel Dendy
Mr. Ben Donnell
John K. & Peggy Haralson
Mrs. Thelma Dorfman
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Kendrick
Mrs. Glenice Dotson
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Clark
Mrs. Sallie E. Hubbard
Mr. Larry Drummond
Cecil & Toni Ingram
The Family of Mike Posey
Mrs. Carol Dutt
Wayne & Carol Dutt
Mr. Morgan Edwards
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mrs. Ruth Embry
Mr. & Mrs. Eric M. Cosper
Mrs. Christie Elaine Farley
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Peters & Family
Mrs. Linda Fox
Dottie & Patti Anderson
Mr. Samuel Freeman
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mr. Joe K. Gaines
Mike & Sarah Stonicher
Mr. Billy Gamble
Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt Sanders
Mr. John Gander
Mrs. Margaret Fuhrwerk
Mrs. Sarah Busby Gilbreath
Mike & Sarah Stonicher
Mrs. Betty Gill
Ms. Sybil Cook
Mr. Golsan
Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Ezelle
Mr. Thomas C. Goolsby
Mr. & Mrs. James R. Tippins
Mrs. Linda H. Gray
Ms. Betty First
Mrs. Betty (Peggy) Heaps
Mr. Kenneth Gregory
Mrs. Nancy Young
Mrs. Charlotte M. Hanvey
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Bynum
M & H Valve Company
Mrs. Alice W. Owen
Mrs. Marie C. Smith
Mr. Wendell Harris
Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Gray
Mr. Thomas Henderson
Because We Care Group Tallaweka
Baptist Church
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Aarian Lovoy Henson
Mr. Vincent Haydock
Mr. Ray Hicks
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mrs. Jan Hindman
Ms. Connie Reeves
Mr. Edward Wilkinson Holloway
Ms. Elizabeth Jones
Mr. Dennis Huey
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Sims
Mr. James Hunt
Gadsden High Classmates of '58
Mrs. Ruth Inman
Mrs. Freddie Pearce & Friends
Mrs. Mildred Ivy
Mr. & Mrs. Hace Alldredge
Mr. Larry Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Hilbert W. Wilkinson
Dr. William Kessler
Ms. Elizabeth Jones
Mr. Leon Killian
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Hunt
Mrs. Jane Hall Knox
Mrs. Susan Crist
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Godfrey
Mr. Andrew Robert Korolevich
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Nixon
Mrs. Rebecca Lancaster
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Smith
Mr. Johnny Little
Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Gray
Dr. Richard Lytle
Diane & Richmond Flowers
Mrs. Patricia Mayhall
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mrs. Thera Booker McLain
Mr. Charles Earl Mclain
Wynell McLeroy
Steve & Jackie Griffith
Mrs. Mozelle G. McPherson
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Lineberry
Mr. Barry McRae
Marcus & Zoe Cassimus
Mrs. Joan Marsh Meeks
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
Mr. Jimmy Meyers
John & Ruth Ray
Mrs. Eva Montoya
Mr. & Mrs. John Bailey
Lawson Murphy
Mr. Matthew F. Drummond
Mrs. Erna Nagal
Jeanette Thompson
Mr. David Noles
Rock United Methodist Church
Mr. Jim Owens
Ms. Peggy Sloan
Mr. Todd Michael Parsons
Carolyn Self
Mr. David Pearce
Mrs. Mary Thrower
Mrs. Sandy Pearce
Mrs. Mary Thrower
Mr. Johnnie T. Phillips
Mr. & Mrs. Millard Moore
Mrs. Marie Phillips
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Best
Lisa Black Polk
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene A. Polk
Mrs. Sheila Ponders
Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Ezelle
Mr. Stephen Ellis Powell
Mrs. Douglas Johnson
Mr. Bill Pullen Sr.
Sandra & Kay Martin
Mr. Lamar Reeves
Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson
Mr. Thurston Reeves
Mr. & Mrs. J.M Eubanks
Mr. Neale Rhea Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. W. Howard Brown
Mr. Dennison Rice
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Cole
Mr. Autry Rickett
Mrs. Marcia D. Garrett
Mr. Paul Rigsby
Jimmy & Shelby Knight
Mr. Carl Romine
Mrs. Mary Nell Romine
Mary Ellen Rowland
Dr. David Rowland
Mrs. Evelyn Rutherford
Steve & Jackie Griffith
Mrs. Betsy Mattingly Seale
Mr. & Mrs. John Albritton
Mr. Charles E. Sides
Mr. Ted Jones Jr.
Mrs. Tiny Sims
Ms. Kimberly Virciglio
Mr. Bobby Renay Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Gibbs
Mr. Stan Smith
Mr. Roger Fuston
Mr. Lamar Stanford
Mr. & Mrs. Hilbert W. Wilkinson
Mr. Wade Stevens
Mr. Ben Murphy
Mr. Buddy Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Cole
Mrs. Essie Sudduth
Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Harris
Mr. Tischler
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Bodenhamer
Mr. & Mrs. Marc Effron
Mrs. Robin Swaim
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Tischler
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Mrs. Georgia Traylor
Mrs. Glenda Dumas
Mrs. Bonnie Barrentine Vest
John & Carolyn Josey
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin H. Vickers Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Vickers
Ms. Jennie Lou Watson
Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Henderson
Mr. Lester Wheeler
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Rogers
Dr. Thomas Wheeler
Dr. & Mrs. C. Eugene (Gene) Brown
Mrs. Wanda Williams
Mr. & Mrs. Hal Miller
Mr. Wheeler Joseph Wilson II
Mr. & Mrs. H. Johnston
Mr. Bill Winkle
Shelby Shores Community Church
Mrs. Bonnie Wischoff
Mr. & Mrs. Carlton Croyle
Mr. Sam High Wright
Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Bowden
Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Caine
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Correro
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Cox
Mr. & Mrs. Mahlon Scott Felkins III
Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Finn Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. David Foote
Mr. & Mrs. Brett Harris
Mr. James D. Harris Jr.
Mr. Jeffrey Jordan
Ms. Nancy Sheehan
Mr. Kenneth Sims
Mr. Kenneth G. Sims
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Vawter
Dr. Robert Yoe Jr.
John & Carolyn Josey
Mrs. Ethel Yother
Ms. Frances E. Freeman Jr.
This we believe. We must be good stewards of God’s blessings by:
A. ensuring that your contributions are used to enrich the lives of our children--spiritually, mentally,
emotionally, & physically;
B. maximizing every gift to its fullest; and
C. conducting every area of business in an honorable way.
This plan will ensure that your support is used where you & God intended - to relieve the suffering of children.
-- Board of Directors of Big Oak Ranch
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