Unfunded Need

Winter in Montana requires winter clothing.  Approximately 3 in 4 children in YBGR programs are considered low income and many of the kids who arrive at the Ranch do not have any clothing suitable for the cold or snow.

Yellowstone Foundation strives to have a fund available for both the Ranch and Yellowstone Academy to purchase coats, boots, hats, mittens, and scarves as needed for children whose parents may not be able to afford those necessities.

An estimated $2,000 is needed each year just for outdoor winter wear (we often can get wholesale prices).  Help us keep kids warm and safe this winter.

The Secret Santa Shopping Trip has been a cherished tradition at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch for the past 50 years.  Each December, YBGR staff take children in the Residential Treatment Program on a special shopping experience. 

YBGR kids get to select their own Christmas gifts of much needed clothes, shoes, underwear and outerwear.  After each child has made their selections, the gifts are  wrapped by volunteers and delivered to their lodges on Christmas Eve.

In 2020, for the first time, kids shopped online for their gifts which were delivered to the Ranch and then wrapped.  For many of these children, YBGR’s Secret Santa program is the first time they have gotten new clothes or even Christmas gifts.  We hope that in 2021 the children will be able to go back to shopping in the store, but whether in-store or online, children will know that joy of picking out and receiving needed items for Christmas and ripping into that colorful paper on Christmas morning. 

Several of our past Secret Santas have generously step forward again this year, but $9,000 is still needed to meet our goal before December.  Consider adding your own HO HO HO to our Secret Santa program this year!