BATESVILLE — Chandler’s big brown eyes are as sincere as they come, and he’s good at making eye contact.
The Damascus native is now a resident of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch in Bethesda. He’s lived there on and off for a year.
“I miss my friends from home, but you know, that’s not where I need to be,” Chandler said without batting an eyelash.
“Life in general is more positive here,” he said. “I definitely behave myself a lot better, and my grades turn out better.”
The goal of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches is to remedy and prevent child abuse while providing loving care with therapeutic intervention for children in desperate cases of abuse and neglect.
The organization was founded in 1976 and also has campuses in Hardy, Hot Springs, Mulberry and Harrison, where children live with house parents, attend school and work toward their goals.
Chandler will graduate from Batesville High School in May 2011 and plans to go on to college.
Chandler’s is the kind of success story the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch likes to hear, and he will tell his complete story as the featured speaker at the annual Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner at the Peabody in Little Rock on Thursday, Oct. 14.
“I’m honored that they chose me to speak at the dinner,” Chandler said. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m a really good public speaker, so it usually turns out well.”
Chandler said he plans to talk about his life in Damascus, how he came to the ranch and how it has changed his life.
“I’m not the kind of person that takes things for granted,” he said.
He’s thankful for people around the state of Arkansas who donate time and money to help children — to help him.
Each year, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches recognizes a particular individual who makes contributions to children around the state and personifies the deeds and ideals of the ranch. The organization looks for people who have made outstanding contributions to create better opportunities for youth.
This year’s honoree is Charles Nabholz of Conway.
Ranch CEO Mike Cumnock calls Nabholz the “ideal candidate” to be recognized as an honoree.
“I don’t really know why you would want me to do this,” Nabholz told Cumnock.
Cumnock said that was the right answer.
“He didn’t say that this would be the right thing for his company. He didn’t want to be in the spotlight. He is a very humble man,” Cumnock said.
Nabholz grew up on a farm three miles east of Conway and graduated from St. Joseph Parochial School in 1954. He went on to work for Nabholz Construction Co., founded by his brother Bob.
In 1981, Nabholz was appointed director of Arkansas State Building Services by Gov. Frank White. In 1983, Nabholz founded Nabholz Properties, a commercial real estate development company.
An active member of the community, Nabholz has been involved in various fundraising and philanthropic activities benefiting Arkansas’ youth for many years. This includes serving as campaign chairman for United Funds and campaign chairman for the United Way of Faulkner County, as well as supporting Young Life, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, the University of Arkansas Foundation, Hendrix College, Bethlehem House and more.
Nabholz will be the organization’s 15th honoree. Former Arkansas Children’s Award winners include Gov. Mike Beebe, the Tyson Family, U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Stanley Reed and Wallace Fowler.
“We have never had an honoree from the River Valley before,” Cumnock said. “And from Conway to Russellville, people have been telling us that it’s about time one of their own was honored.”