Patty Caylor Scoggins said she first learned of Cherokee Estate as a teenager.
“It was then a boys youth home,” said Scoggins, who serves on the board of directors of the property now under the auspices of Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes. “I went to school with those boys and we became friends, and some I still stay in touch with.”
Cherokee Estate now provides housing, sustenance and support to girls and young women, while MountainView in Chatsworth, which opened in 2006, serves young males who may need temporary and even long-term quarters. Both are under Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes responsibility and guidance, and an annual golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 18, will again be a primary fundraiser for the homes.
Sponsored by Textile Rubber & Chemical Co. at Indian Trace Golf Course, the tournament has shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. with players competing in four-man select shot format. A hole-in-one contest is sponsored by Chatsworth Ford, and there are prizes for shots closest to the pin. Teams are being sought to play in the tourney; to register, call (706) 259-8581.
Scoggins said she was “honored” when late board member Jane Harrell asked her to serve.
“I knew immediately I wanted to help, because I saw firsthand the impact living there made on those boys,” she said. “They will tell you how living in the youth home helped them understand and grow to be the men they are today. and once on the board I learned so much more about the youth homes. They provide a safe family environment with housing, clothing and all the other necessities of everyday life, and encourage the children to participate in church and school events. But I also learned they provide tutoring, vacations, Christmas and so much more.”
Bob Beavers, a member of the Cherokee Estate board, notes the original home in north Whitfield County dates back to sometime in the 1950s.
“Local leaders realized there was a need to have a place where boys who have no home with no fault of their own can be housed,” he said. “Most of the boys had issues where the parents or legal guardians were unable to take care of them. I had the privilege of growing up in Dalton and seeing smalltown values, and how local business leaders gave back.”
Beavers said as a former teacher at Eastbrook High and then Southeast High, he served as an adviser to the schools’ Key Clubs sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club.
“Kiwanis was heavily involved in Cherokee Boys Estate — H.P. Hamlin, Dr. Earl McGhee, Buddy Lusk and many other Kiwanians would volunteer to paint and repair buildings and to volunteer with the annual chicken-que fundraiser,” he recalled. “Many business leaders did the same as individuals. Ham (Hamlin) invited me to be on the Cherokee board. The mission is the same and I believe it is important to have local input. None of this would be possible without the generous contributions from our communities. The original mission still needs to be addressed. I believe the Sheriffs’ Youth Homes are somewhat misunderstood. They are not punishment. They are also not the crowded institutions that are portrayed in movies. They are cottages with caring house parents.”
Tiffany Hammontree, the social service coordinator for the homes, said a special attraction this year will be Atlanta Braves legend Otis Nixon making an appearance to sign baseballs. For those who do not play golf but would like to make donations to support the mission at Cherokee Estate and MountainView, checks may be made out to Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes and mailed to 850 Cherokee Estate Road, Dalton GA 30721.
Scoggins summarized, “The love and care of our leadership and staff helps each child feel safe and at peace in a stable environment.”