LONDON – The Clay County Transformation Project has been named a recipient of Operation UNITE’s “Rising Above” Award for inspiring leadership, purpose and passion in the region.
The award was presented by Gil Kerlikowske, White House Director for Drug Policy, and Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers during a celebration dinner at the London Community Center Wednesday, February 23.
“Born out of desperation and determination, Clay County UNITE banded together to say enough,” said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. “They stood up to corrupt politicians, drug dealers and naysayers alike to bring about what none of us dared to dream – the transformation of their community.
The county that had more unsolved murders than any other in Kentucky and was home to drug dealers on every corner has now become a beacon of hope … and appropriately named, ‘The City of Hope’,” Kelly continued. “Through a documentary they created in partnership with The Sentinel Group, their story has gained world wide attention and has brought visitors from all over the world to Clay County, Kentucky.”
Accepting the award were the leaders of this transformation, pastors Doug Abner and Ken Bolin.