Sheriff Talton wins GA Sheriffs’ Youth Home award for highest fundraiser

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — In October of 2021, the Houston Sheriff’s Office held their annual golf tournament, the Steve Byrd Memorial Outing, with the goal to raise as much money as possible for the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Home Program. Sheriff Cullen Talton and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office raised more than $139,000.

Talton was recognized earlier this week, receiving the Highest Fundraiser award during the Summer Sheriffs Conference. All of the money raised went to fulfill the needs of children who are cared for at Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.

The Sheriff attributes the award to the many people who help to organize the golf tournament, as well as the community who comes out to support it.

“I don’t do it alone, I’ve got a lot of people helping me with it,” Talton said. “We’ve got a lot of teams, a lot of sponsors. People have been real good to us through the years.”

“We’ve been raising $130,000 to $140,000 for the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, but it’s due to the support of the community and the people who participate in our golf tournament, and our sponsors in general. I very much appreciate it”

“It goes for a good cause.”

According to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes website, the homes were established “to give our state’s most at-risk children the love, safety and stability needed to become mature, successful adults.”

The homes provide

children with all their most basic needs — such as housing, food and clothes — while also ensuring they go to college and graduate with a degree. Children living in the home receive training in life skills such as cooking, cleaning and money management as well as educational support and recreational opportunities.

With five homes spread across the state, Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes provide children the opportunity to live a better life.

“When children come to youth homes, they are placed in a family setting and are provided not just the basics of food, shelter and clothing, but a safe, loving, nurturing environment in which to rebuild their lives and to prepare for a brighter future,” their mission states. “Some come as sibling groups and others as individuals. All are given the opportunity to grow, to heal and to thrive.”

Last year’s golf tournament took place over two days. Originally planned for October 4-5, the second day of the tournament was stormed out. Not to be stopped, the second day was rescheduled for October 18. Over the two days, 64 teams of four players each competed.

Sheriff Talton founded the tournament as the Steve Byrd Memorial Golf Tournament, and each year, it has raised thousands of dollars to go to the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes. Each year, the Houston County community comes together to play golf and ensure that the children who stay in these homes can live enriching lives.

The next gold tournament will take place October 3 and 4 of 2022.

HHJ News