When Dick Dresang heard that a group of women motorcyclists wanted to ride to raise money for the Hemry Home for girls, he was hoping he'd get enough money to buy new dishes.

Hemry Home is under the umbrella of Youth Crisis Center Inc., which Dresang directs. The residential setting has capacity for 10 girls ages 12 to 17 who are court-ordered there for an average stay of six months.

"It's a tool of the courts, it's the judges telling these girls, 'This is your one last chance to see if you can make it in this community,'" Dresang said.

Happily, Dresang said most of them do make it, and appreciate the chance they are given. They walk to and from school and are allowed to be a part of the community, instead of being shut off from it.

Even before the Chrome Cowgirls left on their weekend ride the end of June, Dresang was impressed with the group.

"They rode over on Mother's Day morning, and spent 2-1/2 hours with the girls," he said. "I was there, and it was just awesome. They made this big circle in the living room, surrounding the girls literally, and it was just sharing personal stories.

"One woman said, 'I was pregnant at 17, and now I'm a professional. Just hang in there, you can do it, we have faith in you,'" Dresang recalled.

On Wednesday, the Chrome Cowgirls visited Hemry Home again, and Dresang received a check for $3,500.

"I'm buying new cupboards," he said. "We haven't had new cupboards since 1986."

The Chrome Cowgirls charged a $50 registration fee for a ride from Casper to Sheridan and back in late June, with proceeds benefitting Hemry Home.

For more information, visit www.chromecowgirlscharity.com.

TAGS: Hemry Home, Dick Dresang, Chrome Cowgirls, Youth Crisis Center