Sara Stadem | Editor
The ‘Tree of Hope’, a long-time standing tradition at McCrossan Boys Ranch (MBR), has come to Hartford and can be found at the Buffalo Ridge Brewing.
McCrossan Boys Ranch Director of Development Christy Menning explained it was Buffalo Ridge Brewing’s (BRB) idea to have the ‘Tree of Hope’ put up in their establishment. This took place after MBR was the recipient of BRB’s BINGO event this past May when MBR shared with the community about MBR. “McCrossan is located just outside of Hartford and we have many employees that live in Hartford and many supports in Hartford as well,” Menning said.
BRB Event Coordinator Morgan Bream said, “We are always looking to give back to the community and my first thought for Christmas is always to give back to kids that could use more around Christmas time.” She continued, “We were going to do the giving tree and we decided to reach out to McCrossan that is more local.”
“The ‘Tree of Hope’ has been a long-standing tradition at the Ranch and is featured at businesses in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas,” said Menning. “It started off as ‘The Little Cowboy Tree’ over 40 years ago and since then transitioned to a less western tree based on the interests of the boys at the Ranch.”
The ‘Tree of Hope’ was originally established to provide gifts for the boys at the Ranch over the holidays, according to Menning. “Over 60% of our boys have nowhere to go or no family that visits them on Christmas,” she said. Menning continued, “For many of the boys, Christmas does not come with fond memories. It is our goal to collect a new outfit, toy item and hat and gloves for each boy.”
The hope for MBR is to be able to get a gift for each of their boys, Menning explained. The ‘Tree of Hope’ has approximately 30 cards for single items at BRB, with the idea that people can give at any level to support MRB boys, such as a pair of gloves, board game or a football or basketball.
To help with this cause, BRB’s December BINGO proceeds will go to MBR, explained Bream. She also added that anyone that brings in a gift from the Christmas wish list will get a book of BINGO cards where normally it would cost $10 for the book. So, BRB will consider the gift as their donation. According to Bream, there will also be a donation bucket at BINGO in case anyone is feeling generous and wants to contribute a cash donation.
“These boys appreciate these gifts so much. In my nearly 20 years of working at McCrossan, I have seen boys cry at the thought of having someone care enough to get them a gift at Christmas, even our older 18-year-old boys sometimes tear up,” Menning said. “For many it is the first time they will have a positive memory at Christmas. Our staff works hard to make sure Christmas is extra special for them and that the Ranch feels like home.”
Each year, MBR has a special dinner for their boys on Christmas which includes a special gourmet meal, fine linens and cloth napkins with the MBR staff being the waiters and waitresses for the evening, according to Menning. The evening also includes punch and appetizers along with the boys dressing up and getting their picture taken to send a Christmas card to their family, social worker or other important people in their life. Menning said, “It is a special evening which never loses its magic each year. As a staff it is my very favorite thing we will do this year. We also work hard to keep the boys busy over Christmas break with other fun activities as well.”
MBR has boys that range in the age of 9-20 with a capacity of just over 70 boys. MBR serves over 250 boys each year, according to Menning, with some boys staying a couple of months and some boys staying a couple of years.
If you are looking to help out MBR’s Christmas this year, stop by the BRB and visit the ‘Tree of Hope.’ Purchased gifts can be mailed to MBR or returned to BRB. Gifts must be returned by Wednesday, December 22.