Remember what it was like to be a kid, and not have a care in the world?

The folks at the M-Bar-C Ranch in Freeland do, and they’re working to make sure every child does — even if it’s just for a single day.

Kids with physical, mental, emotional or social struggles come to the ranch and get to be cowboys and cowgirls, Indian warriors and princesses. They can ride and learn about horses and they can play.

“The bottom line is that it’s about the kids,” said ranch co-manager Bill O’Brien. “It’s about them having an enjoyable day.”

On Aug. 26, the South Whidbey community can help the M-Bar-C ranch treat the kids by treating themselves to all kinds of gifts at a live and silent auction.

So far 225 auction items, and counting, will be up for grabs at the ranch’s annual fundraiser.

The live-auction booty includes an extravagant week-long cruise on the Holland America Line, a weekend at an island bed-and-breakfast, and a 10-person party at the bowling alley, complete with limo service.

“There are several packages with overnight stays,” said Tina Jarvis, ranch administrator and auction organizer.

Also at the auction are an assortment of gift baskets, including a Mariners gift package. It contains an autographed Willie Bloomquist baseball.

Art items will be present as well. Among them will be a sculpture made by well-known Whidbey Island artist Georgia Gerber.

Even practical household items, such a weed-eaters, will be at the auction.

M-Bar-C guests will enjoy a professionally catered salmon dinner prepared by Tom Goekan. It will be served by Navy officers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. All the while, guests’ ears will be taking in live island music.

“They will be serenaded by the Shifty Sailors,” Jarvis said.

The auction will be a casual event with the theme, “How the West was Fun.”

“Western attire is encouraged,” Jarvis said.

M-Bar-C counts on the money they receive from the auction to sustain about a third of their operating budget for the entire year.

The money helps take care of things the ranch needs to keep up and running, whether it be horse-related items – feed, equipment and veterinary services – to supplies for maintaining the western village or food for the kids.

Community support from the auctions helps the ranch provide an experience that can be priceless for kids.

When kids visit the ranch, they are in for a carefree day of fun and camaraderie with horses. It can leave a lasting imprint in any child’s mind.

“The first thing that would happen is that the child or children would be sworn in as cowboys and girls,” O’Brien said.

After taking the M-Bar-C cowboy creed, the kids head off to a costume room that’s complete with cowboy hats, headdresses, chaps and dresses.

Then they can ride horses, play in cowboy town, go on hay wagon rides and eat cowboy grub.

“They are allowed to be kids and forget any problems,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien, a retired-police officer, said that no matter what problems might occur during the day — perhaps a late bus, maybe a sick horse — every event turns out to be a success.

“At the end of the day someone comes up and says, ‘This is the best field trip we’ve ever had,’” he said.

O’Brien, who runs the ranch with wife, Deb, said he can describe a day at the ranch to someone, but only those who have been to ranch and seen it firsthand can truly understand what it means to the kids. They are the ones who have heard the laughter, watched the horses patiently carry their riders, and seen the work of dedicated volunteers.

O’Brien said without volunteers, the ranch just wouldn’t be.

“We’ve got a great, great pool of volunteers. They are hardworking folks,” he said. “If it were not for them, the program would not be working.”

When it’s all wrapped up and everyone has gone home, M-Bar-C staff, volunteers and the kids who visited the ranch all feel the same.

“You feel good at the end of the day,” O’Brien said.

Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 221-5300 or blaughlin@southwhidbeyrecord.com.