ST. PARIS — Operation Rebirth lives the motto: It is better to build boys than to mend men. The Christian boarding school for boys will use its Match Day gifts to purchase new textbooks for the various ages of boys served.
Located on 17 acres in the St. Paris area, the school provides a year-round educational program using the Alpha Omega curriculum. The Christian-based learning program is administered by a full-time teacher and new, updated books are needed.
“We assist boys up to 18 years of age who are having problems adjusting to school, home and community life,” said Dr. Sam Ronicker, who is an executive director along with his wife Teresa. “The staff and volunteers provide academics, real life experiences and work to strengthen and restore family relationships through the application of God’s Word.”
In addition to traditional student coursework, Operation Rebirth offers a program of farm and animal management and supervised dorm life built around a warm home environment where Christian principles are taught through Bible study, responsibility and relationships. The school is recognized by the state of Ohio, but accepts no public funding.
“For 42 years, our program has helped boys from throughout the region develop personal and vocational skills and get their family involved in counseling to work through issues that may be disrupting the relationship,” said Teresa Ronicker. “We take the boys on outings and go camping to give them new experiences, as well as teach them resourcefulness and responsibility.”
“A large shelter house was built using last year’s Match Day gifts. It will get use for our own programming in the future and has already saved us money from renting temporary tents for our Day on the Farm open house this fall.”
To support Operation Rebirth on Match Day, gifts must be made payable to the Community Foundation of Shelby County with: Match/Operation Rebirth noted on the memo or in an accompanying note or form. Details and forms are available at the Community Foundation website at www.commfoun.com and at Operation Rebirth. Gifts must be received on or before Nov. 27 to be eligible for up to $5,000 in matching money.
