Christmas on the Range

Home on the Range is a therapeutic working ranch in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, that provides compassionate trauma-informed services to children who have experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

“When you hear these children speak about their lives it breaks your heart,” said Dixie Wagner, Home on the Range Board of Directors. “No child should have to deal with what they have had to. We think it can’t happen in North Dakota, but it does and is happening every day.”

This residential facility provides education, therapy, spiritual guidance, and recreational and work activities to youth to help heal dysfunctional and unhealthy coping skills. Home on the Range’s mission is to resolve these problems, teach appropriate coping skills, and heal trauma so the children can grow into vibrant young adults looking toward the future.

Every year, Home on the Range hosts a Basket Bash and Auction fundraiser to raise money for the boys and girls currently in their care. Due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, Home on the Range was unable to host its 2020 fundraiser. Many of the children at Home on the Range have never received a Christmas gift or have no home to go to on Christmas.

However, this complication wouldn’t get in the way of creating a memorable holiday. Home on the Range moved their Basket Bash and Auction Fundraiser online, calling it the Christmas on the Range Fundraiser. The Christmas on the Range campaign had a goal of raising $3,600 for gifts, $100 for each child at the facility.

We were so moved by Home on the Range’s dedication to creating a meaningful and joyful Christmas for these children, so Choice donated $1,000 to their Christmas on the Range campaign.

“This cause really resonated with us all of us at Choice,” said Jay Lies, North Dakota Market President at Choice. “We are committed to putting people first and building better futures for our neighbors. The strength and resiliency of the youth at Home on the Range is incredibly inspirational. I couldn’t imagine a more deserving group of people to receive a special Christmas.”

By the end of the Christmas on the Range fundraiser, Home on the Range raised over $5,000 for Christmas gifts.

“I am overwhelmed by the responses and generosity,” said Mel Rose, Executive Director of Home on the Range. “Your kindness ensures our boys and girls will have many presents to open on Christmas.”

Home on the Range utilizes many different types of programs to help children heal, including access to excellent therapists, Animal Assisted Intervention, Drug and Alcohol services, Adventure Therapy, Spiritual Development, work programs, and an educational program to help the children catch up in school.

Learn more about Home on the Range and donate to support their specialized therapeutic programs here.

The Choice Bank Wishing Well is accepting wishes! Ready to cast yours? Visit choicewishingwell.com and let us know who you would like to help out in your community.