It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic is sweeping through all levels of society in the United States.  Like a raging brush fire, it scorches the earth – leaving loss, pain, and misery as its calling card to every family it touches.  Even if you don’t have an immediate family member who is suffering from addiction, odds are very good that you know someone who does.  This is not an isolated problem or one that attacks only one segment of the population, but instead it is an issue that is truly unbiased in the lives that it tarnishes.

But all is not lost.

There are those who are trying to make a difference.

People like Kevin and Dana Simmers.

They lost their daughter, Brooke, to a heroin overdose in 2015.  Brooke was only nineteen years old.  A young life tragically cut short by the ravages of addiction.

Vowing to do something to change the status quo, Kevin and Dana created Brooke’s House, a community resource center and sober living facility for women to help them get through those vulnerable first months of treatment, providing a safe and stable living environment filled with people determined to help these women on their first steps on the long road of recovery.

Brooke’s House is in the construction phase right now, and its official groundbreaking will be held on Tuesday, May 1^st, 2018.  It’s a cause both worthy and deserving of your help and support.  If Kevin and Dana’s dream saves only one person in its efforts, then it will be a project that was worth every penny that has been spent towards it.  What a wonderful way to remember Brooke – by helping someone else confront their addiction and get the help and treatment that they need.

So how can you help?

May 1^st is not only the “official” groundbreaking for Brooke’s House, but it is also the kick-off for Washington County Gives – a 24-hour day of giving in which local non-profits raise money through a community-wide donation challenge.  On that day, all participating organizations receive pro-rated matching grants from the Community Foundation of Washington County for each dollar donated by individual donors.

Organizations also “compete” for additional “prize” money, based upon their standings on the leaderboard of received donations for that day.  There are over 87 non-profits that participate – each one worthy of support.

So if you wish to support Brooke’s House (or any other of the participating charities), why not make your pledge on a day when your donation dollar can be doubled (or possibly be worth even more)?

Sounds like a good idea to me.  I hope you’ll consider it.

 

For more information on Brooke’s House, visit their website here.

 

For more information on Washington County Gives (and to even make a donation on May 1st), visit their website here.