Dyer Difference Award Assists Vietnam Veterans and Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches
Way back in 1957, a group of Florida Sheriffs gathered to discuss the problem with the young boys in their communities getting into trouble with law enforcement because they didn’t have a whole lot of stability, consistency, and love in their home lives. Collectively, the group decided to invest $5,000 to create a home for boys who needed a supportive family and community to help them grow into lawful and resilient citizens. Nearly seven decades later, the problems are still the same, and the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches are still working to help prevent delinquency and develop responsible, productive citizens through programs that focus on character, integrity, stewardship, and quality. For example, a youth who learns how to care for, respect, and ride a horse also learns a whole lot about responsibility and the importance of following through. Those skills translate far beyond the paddock and trails at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and can help build confidence, provide a sense of direction, and establish goals through experiences that youth likely would not have otherwise had. The bonus is that these experiences also help to foster a relationship of trust and goodwill between youth and law enforcement agents. The April Dyer Difference Award in St. Lucie County will help raise funds to support the Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches and the important work they continue to do.
In Indian River County, a group of volunteers who make up Voices of Veterans of Indian River County work hard to assist approximately 16,000 local veterans who have fought the battle for our freedoms with a variety of different resources. To help raise fund to assist with disability benefits, housing, clothing, food, and medical assistance, the Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County host an annual golf tournament for about 250 participants, and proceeds from the tournament help to keep the programs and services going throughout the year. The April Dyer Difference Award supports the work of Voices of Veterans of Indian River County and the annual golf tournament, and is proud to be a sponsor of the event.
The Dyer Difference Award is all about celebrating the beauty and kindness in our midst. For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations made monthly between the St. Lucie and Indian River Counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions. If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.