HAHIRA — The $7,000 collected in a special pre-opening fund-raiser last weekend at the Smok’n Pig will assist the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch with a number of needs, according to Rusty Ingram, chairman of the Boy’s Ranch Board of Trustees.

“The funds aren’t specifically designated to one project, but will be used for improvements and on several projects we are currently working on, including cottage renovations,” he said.

The restaurant will open for business Monday, Aug. 18, and used the time waiting for final finishing touches on computer systems, etc., to host fund-raising events for the Boys Ranch. Owner Pat O’Neal invited more than 60 boys and girls from the Ranch, along with staff, to dinner on Saturday evening, where they enjoyed barbecue in the private dining room, wearing their complimentary t-shirts from the restaurant.

“The children really enjoyed eating here. They had so much fun,” said Ranch Director Beth Tillman. “The children don’t get to do things like that very often,” adding that they were so well fed, even the teenage boys passed up their evening snacks that night, a “rarity.”

Ansel Clark of the Boys Ranch Board of Trustees said all of the money raised in local fund-raisers such as this one directly benefit the local home and are not sent to the state organization. “We get to keep all of the money raised here in local fundraisers, so the funds will directly benefit our Boys Ranch.”

The representatives from the Ranch were very appreciative of the efforts of O’Neal and his staff at the restaurant.