“We average about 20 drug arrests per week,” acting Somerset police chief Major Doug Nelson explained to more than three dozen people gathered at Somerset City Hall prior to a roundup of 38 suspected drug dealers.

In addition to law enforcement officers from four agencies, Tuesday’s briefing was attended by members of the Pulaski County UNITE Coalition, Somerset Fire Department (which has the capability of cleaning up methamphetamine labs), the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Demand Reduction unit, the commonwealth attorney’s office, Somerset city government and Pulaski County Detention Center.

“Everyone in this room plays an important role in the fight against substance abuse,” said UNITE Law Enforcement Director Dan Smoot. “It’s not just about law enforcement, but about how drugs negatively impact the lives of every citizen in Somerset and Pulaski County.”

The District Court arrest warrants were obtained following many months of undercover investigations by the Somerset Police Department and Operation UNITE.

Most of the drugs purchased during the investigation were Percocet, OxyContin, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills, although several cases involved Methamphetamine and marijuana, Smoot noted.

Setting out in teams just after 8:30 a.m., officers from the Somerset Police Department, Operation UNITE and the Kentucky State Police searched from Eubank to Tateville for suspects – several of whom were known to be out of state or in jail for other offenses.

As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday 14 of the 18 individuals wanted by UNITE had been located. Somerset Police had arrested or been in contact with 3 of the 20 suspects on their list. In addition, the city police had arrested two people on new drug charges, two on non-drug-related theft warrants, and a fugitive from Florida staying at a local motel.

Those charged by UNITE were:

• Von V. Burdine, age 60, James Street, Somerset, first degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Carl R. Creech, age 51, Economy Inn, Somerset, two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

• James Aaron Eldridge, age 22, Singleton Cemetery Road, Eubank, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Bobby J. Hall, age 54, James Street, Somerset, two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school and one count trafficking in a simulated controlled substance.

• Linda M. Hasty, age 45, Danny Drive, Burnside, three counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Johnny D. Hensley, age 28, Woodland Trails, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. Served at the McCreary County Jail.

• Amy L. Jacob, age 35, Bourne Avenue, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Eric Shane Langdon, age 33, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts each of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. He will be served at the East Kentucky Correctional Complex.

• Kimberly L. Langdon, age 30, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Christopher L. Lemmon, age 38, McKee Lane, Burnside, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• James Robert Phelps, age 61, Lookout Street, Somerset, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Robert J. Phelps, age 29, South Highway 837, Nancy, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Served at the Pulaski County Detention Center.

• William P. Whitis, age 62, Brandon Street, Ferguson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• An 18-year-old South Main Street Somerset man who was a juvenile at the time of the offense will be served through the courts on three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

Officers were continuing their search for the remaining suspects.

To view photos from the roundup click here.

UNITE detectives, along with officers from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and Louisa Police Department, set out to serve the warrants during a roundup conducted Friday morning August 20. By mid-afternoon 17 of the suspects had been charged.

“Most of the cases resulting from our six-month investigation came through a coordinated effort with both the city and county law enforcement agencies,” said Dan Smoot, director of UNITE’s drug task force. “These departments provided assistance in developing informants and providing essential manpower.”

Most of the illegal sales involved the drugs Oxycodone and Suboxone. Smoot noted that several of those sought Friday have previously been arrested by UNITE on trafficking charges.

Those arrested Friday and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Johnson County were:

• Michael D. Blankenship, age 37, South Highway 3, Louisa, second-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

• Tina Blackburn, age 24, Highway 1, Louisa, first-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

• Roy Bowen, age 59, Pine Street, Louisa, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tommy L. Cantrell, age 43, Rabbit Lane, Louisa, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Terry Brandon Emory, age 27, Wallace Street, Louisa, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Tammy Jo Evans, age 38, Cranberry Drive, Louisa, first-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

• Ruben Ison III, age 29, Wallace Street, Louisa, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Lowell Maynard, age 46, Right Fork of Torchlite, Louisa, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Troy Miller, age 26, Lawrence Square Apartments, Louisa, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts first-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

• Lynette Slone, age 47, Mattie Road, Louisa, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

• Chad Stepp, age 25, Adams Street, Louisa, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Rebecca A. Ward, age 38, South Highway 3, Louisa, second-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Amy West, age 28, Cranberry Drive, Louisa, first-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

• Elisha Wilks, age 63, Big Cat Ford Road, Louisa, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• William Wilks, age 47, Diamond Ridge Road, Louisa, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tane Michelle Woods, age 33, Wallace Street, Louisa, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Connie J. Workman, age 50, Sullivan Street, Louisa, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

To view photos click here.

“We need your help to deliver hope to Whitley County,” said Rogers to the crowd of 175 people. “On average, there is one overdose death per week in every county in our region. We can help save those lives, but everyone needs to get involved with the local UNITE coalition.”

To commend local leaders for their dedication to Operation UNITE and PRIDE, Rogers presented seven “Hal Rogers Difference Maker” Awards. The awards were presented to: Williamsburg City Police Department; Hon. Cathy Prewitt, Chief District Judge and volunteer Juvenile Drug Court Judge for Whitley and McCreary Counties; Jennie Richardson, National Archery in the Schools Program Coordinator for Kentucky; Heather Alder Stewart, PRIDE Coordinator for Whitley County Schools; Willa Powers, Coordinator for Cumberland Falls and Laurel Lake Cleanups; Greg and Susie Razmus, sponsor for the Cumberland Falls Cleanup and Corbin Bypass Cleanup; Alvin Sharpe, Williamsburg Tourism Director.

Rogers presented a framed copy of a Congressional Tribute he made on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of former Whitley County Schools Superintendent, Lonnie Anderson. Congressman Rogers credited Anderson for saving the once-troubled school system from bankruptcy and creating programs to improve not only the education, but the lives of local students and families. His remarks are recorded in the U.S. Library of Congress.

Rogers also announced 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup results for Whitley County. Volunteers cleaned 80 miles of roadway, recovered 348 old tires and collected 1,235 bags of trash during the month of April. Rogers presented Williamsburg Independent with the First Place Trophy for recruiting 767 volunteers, the most in the school division, for the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup. The Second Place Trophy was awarded to Corbin High School for recruiting 290 volunteers.

“Our region is being restored back to its natural beauty, thanks to the people who live and work here,” said Karen Engle, President and CEO of PRIDE and Operation UNITE. “With the help of volunteers our hillsides and streams are much more inviting. Each year, we are making a bigger difference.”

A record-breaking number of volunteers participated in the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup. More than 31,200 individuals picked up trash along roadways, lakes and streams in April. Rogers also encouraged participation during the upcoming Roadside PRIDE event during the month of October.

With an insatiable appetite Operation UNITE’s new “Pill Dragon” digested course after course of prescription medications in the parking lot behind the Hazard Police Department, drawing curious gazes from dozens of passers-by.

The “dragon” – one of two portable incinerators on loan from the Kentucky Army National Guard to UNITE – made its debut during Perry County’s “Medicine Cabinet Clean-out Day” held Friday, August 6.

“This incinerator will go a long way to help our rural law enforcement agencies and families dispose of prescription drugs in an environmentally friendly way in our 29 counties, ” said Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers, speaking at a gathering across the street in Amphitheater Park. “This is a great partnership between UNITE, the Guard and PRIDE.”

Within a few hours the dragon had consumed 1,601 pills brought in from the public along with old evidence for the Hazard Police Department and UNITE’s Kentucky River Region drug task force.

Powered by diesel fuel, the dragon burns at up to 2,000 degrees and can safely and efficiently reduce medications to ash for disposal, said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE.

“For years the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush it down the toilet,” noted Karen Engle, director of the UNITE and PRIDE organizations. “That practice, however, has been strongly discouraged for the past decade because of concerns about the potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and our soil.”

Another troubling fact is that most teens turn to the family medicine cabinet for drugs. The most recent Monitoring the Future study found seven of the top 10 drugs being abused by high-school seniors are legal prescription or over-the-counter medications.

“If you have outdated or unused medications you are a potential target for someone looking for that next high,” Engle said. “Teens believe that because these drugs are prescribed they are safe, but that is not true. Aside from the fact that taking or giving away medicine that is not prescribed to you is illegal, even at small doses the potential exists for serious health effects –including death.”

The Pill Dragons, to be based in Prestonsburg and London, will be taken to counties across the region for similar pill take-back events hosted by UNITE community coalition or PRIDE groups.

“Everything is needed right now – from baby wipes to furniture,” said Karen Engle, UNITE director. “Several rural communities have been devastated and thousands of families affected. Many people have lost everything they own.”

Anyone wishing to provide donations for the relief efforts may bring them to any of UNITE’s regional offices in Prestonsburg (606-889-0422), Hazard (606-487-3700), London (606-330-1400) and Somerset (606-677-6179 or 1-866-678-6483).

A trailer load of items was transported by the non-profit organizations Monday afternoon. Items included bottled water and toiletry items from UNITE and PRIDE, 80 cases of sports drinks from the London-Laurel County Tourism Commission, and clothing and five pallets of dry food goods from the Christian Shelter for the Homeless in London.

“We know from last year’s flooding relief that people want to help, but don’t have a way to get their items to those in need,” Engle noted. “We will make sure everything is delivered to Pike County’s emergency services providers for distribution.”

In addition, UNITE staff was in Pike County Monday morning to help answer calls for assistance and to deliver items.

“There’s no words to describe it,” said UNITE Coalition Coordinator Tom Vicini, who had been in the Harless Creek and Raccoon Creek communities. “The destruction left me sick and heartbroken. It’s devastating.”

That message was delivered with the precision of a last-second buzzer-beater during Operation UNITE’s final Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp of the year, held Thursday, July 8, at the Knott County SportsPlex.

Four former University of Kentucky standouts — J.P.Blevins, Sarah Elliott, Ravi Moss and Bobby Perry – joined camp instructor Jeff Sheppard, the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Kentucky Wildcats’ 1997-98 national championship season, to deliver motivational messages about dreaming big and achieving goals.

“The best way to get from where you are today to where you want to be is to set a goal,” Sheppard told the 279 school-age participants. “None of us is perfect, but you need to set goals, work hard and avoid being distracted by bad influences – such as using alcohol or other drugs.”

“The best way to stay on a straight line is not to try and do it by yourself,” he continued. “You cannot win in life by yourself. It takes a team. It takes you hanging around the right people.”

Participants at Thursday’s camp – the largest of 33 camps conducted during the past five summers — represented 11 Kentucky counties and three other states. Each person received an event T-shirt and Shoot Hoops basketball. In addition, two portable basketball goals, donated by Walmart, were given away. Winners were 10-year-old Ethan Sizemore of Emmalena in Knott County and 14-year-old Mason Nelson of Martin in Floyd County.

During the five-hour program, presented by Phoenix Products, the former UK players emphasized determination, encouragement and effort as the most important ingredients to achieve one’s goals.

Being tall was an asset, but not the primary reason the 6-foot-6 Elliott cited for her success. “It’s because I worked hard.”

Skills can be learned anywhere, noted Elliott, who ranks 18th on the UK’s all-time scoring list and second on the all-time blocks list, “but you have to go home and apply them.”

Elliott hails from McKee, where she totaled an impressive 2,731 points, 1,843 rebounds and 821 blocks during her time at Jackson County High School. At UK she played in 99 career games with 70 starts (2004-07). A member of the SEC All-Freshman Team, she continued being the go-to center and earned AP All-SEC honorable mention her sophomore season and was named a member of the AP All-SEC second team her junior year.

“In everything (you do) you have to work hard,” said Elliott. “That’s the key to having a successful life.”

Moss, a productive “sixth man” during his four seasons with the Wildcats (2002-06), noted his success didn’t come easily. Although the South Carolina native was a four-year starter for University Heights Academy in Hopkinsville, averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds his senior season, it wasn’t basketball skills that got him a spot on the UK bench.

“The only reason I was able to play at UK was because I got good grades. I wasn’t on an athletic scholarship, I was on an academic scholarship,” said Moss, who walked on under Coach Tubby Smith.

Moss, who played in 104 games, was able to shoot from both inside and outside the arc, bringing a spark to the Wildcats that made him a fan favorite.

“No matter how good you think you are (in sports) you always have to have something to fall back on – and that’s academics,” Moss emphasized. “Work hard in the classroom and you can dream as big as you want to.”

Dreaming big began at an early age for Blevins.

After attending a basketball camp at UK at age 8 the Edmonton native knew he wanted to eventually play for the Cats. With encouragement from his mom, Blevins became a star at Metcalfe County High and was named to the Class-A all-state tournament team three times.

Playing guard for the Wildcats from 1998-02, Blevins distinguished himself as the team’s top three-point shooter and free-throw shooter in 2000. In addition, he earned academic All-SEC honors his last three years and graduated magna cum laude in communications. Now an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Blevins relishes opportunities to encourage youth to follow their dreams.

Blevins’ philosophy for success is four-fold: 1) Start with a vision and a dream; 2) believe with all your heart that it’s possible; 3) practice hard and make a commitment to give it everything you have; and 4) treat people the right way.

Continuing the theme of the afternoon, Perry told camp participants that reaching their goals requires a plan, which he outlined with the letters in dream:

D – Determination to work toward your goal.
R – Responsibility for the actions you take.
E – Educate yourself. (“That’s the most important thing,” he said.)
A – Achieve your dreams with hard work and practice.
M – Motivation to keep on pushing and trying.

A former Mr. Basketball in North Carolina, Perry played in 120 games (2003-07) as a forward at UK. He shot a game and career-high 25 points in the Cats’ victory over ninth-seeded UAB in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

In early 2009 he was named coach at West Jessamine Middle School. That same year he (and Moss) joined the newly formed Bluegrass Stallions, formerly with the American Basketball Association, and earned second team All-ABA honors.

Parents and care-givers were given the opportunity to attend a brief education program to discuss the importance of talking with children about drugs along with recognizing behavioral and physical signs of drug use.

“Children whose parents regularly speak with them about the dangers of drugs are 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs,” noted Sarah Flynn, PhD, research and community outreach director for UNITE. “Kentucky ranks highest in the nation for the abuse of prescription drugs, so it is vital that your children understand that pills are just as dangerous and addictive as other drugs.”

Since 2006 the UNITE camps have drawn 4,307 youth participants from 52 Kentucky counties, 11 other states and Mexico.

In addition to Phoenix Products and Walmart, sponsors for UNITE’s 2010 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball tour include: Jackson Energy, Knott County SportsPlex, Knott Drug Abuse Council, Leatherwood Elementary UNITE Club, Pikeville Medical Center, Senture, SouthEast Telephone and WestCare-Kentucky.

To view photos click here.

What’s important is learning how to play and working together as a team to conquer adversity.

“The best way to get from where you are today to where you want to be is to set a goal,” Jeff Sheppard told the 156 school-age youth participating in Operation UNITE’s Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp at Jackson County Middle School on Thursday, July 8. “None of us is perfect, but you need to set goals, work hard and avoid being distracted by bad influences – such as using alcohol or other drugs.”

“The best way to stay on a straight line is not to try and do it by yourself,” continued Sheppard, the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Kentucky Wildcats’ 1997-98 national championship season. “You cannot win in life by yourself. It takes a team. It takes you hanging around the right people.”

It’s a message echoed by Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, whose concern over the region’s drug problems resulted in the creation of UNITE seven years ago,

“Whether you’re on the basketball court competing against your biggest rival, or out in the community trying to overcome the adversities created by substance abuse, you need the support and skills of others – your teammates,” said Rogers, who was on-hand to watch the Jackson County camp. “Just as you can’t win a game by yourself, our communities must team up, gear up and stand up to be victorious.”

Participants at Thursday’s camp represented 5 counties: Jackson, Whitley, Laurel, Clay, and Knox. One participant made the journey all the way from Butler, Ohio to experience the camp. Each person received an event T-shirt and Shoot Hoops basketball. In addition, two portable basketball goals, donated by Walmart, were given away at the conclusion of camp. Winners were 10-year-old Paige Jones of Sand Gap and 12-year-old Brandon Hacker of Annville.

During the three-hour camp, presented by Phoenix Products, Sheppard emphasized encouragement and effort as the most important ingredients to achieve one’s goals.

Parents and care-givers were given the opportunity to attend a brief education program to discuss the importance of talking with children about drugs along with recognizing behavioral and physical signs of drug use.

“Children whose parents regularly speak with them about the dangers of drugs are 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs,” noted Sarah Flynn, PhD, research and community outreach director for UNITE. “Kentucky ranks highest in the nation for the abuse of prescription drugs, so it is vital that your children understand that pills are just as dangerous and addictive as other drugs.”

The final camp of the year will be held at the Knott County SportsPlex on Thursday, July 15. This expanded camp, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature several past University of Kentucky players helping Sheppard with the skills instruction.

Since 2006 the camps have drawn more than 3,600 youth participants from 50 Kentucky counties, 10 other states and Mexico.

In addition to Phoenix Products, sponsors for UNITE’s 2010 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball tour include: Jackson Energy, Knott County SportsPlex, Knott Drug Abuse Council, Leatherwood Elementary UNITE Club, Pikeville Medical Center, Senture, SouthEast Telephone, Walmart and WestCare-Kentucky.

To view photos click here.

The free interactive program tipped off at Phelps High School then, after a brief cross-county intermission, was repeated at East Ridge High School.

Former University of Kentucky basketball star Jeff Sheppard told participants that fundamental skills used to play basketball – or any other sport – can be applied to the rest of your life.

“The best way to get from where you are today to where you want to be is to set a goal,” Sheppard said. “None of us is perfect, but you need to set goals, work hard and avoid being distracted by bad influences – such as using alcohol or other drugs.”

“The best way to stay on a straight line is not to try and do it by yourself,” continued Sheppard, the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Kentucky Wildcats’ 1997-98 national championship season. “You cannot win in life by yourself. It takes a team. It takes you hanging around the right people.”

Participants in Tuesday’s camp represented Pike, Martin, and Floyd counties.

Two portable basketball goals, donated by Walmart, were given away at each location. Winners at Phelps High were 8-year-old Donovan Belcher and 8-year-old Stevie Layne both of Pike County. Winners at East Ridge High were 11-year-old Rachel Blackburn and 6-year-old Mikey Good also from Pike County.

Assisting at both camps were residents of WestCare’s residential treatment facility in Ashcamp.

“These men have volunteered to assist with these camps — and other UNITE youth programs — for the past five years, said Karen Engle, director of UNITE. “The energy and excitement they bring is incredible and shows others it is never too late to turn your life around.”

During the three-hour camps, presented by Phoenix Products, Sheppard emphasized encouragement and effort as the most important ingredients to achieve one’s goals.

In addition, parents and care-givers attended a brief education program to discuss the importance of talking with children about drugs along with recognizing behavioral and physical signs of drug use.

“Children whose parents regularly speak with them about the dangers of drugs are 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs,” noted Sarah Flynn, PhD, research and community outreach director for UNITE. “Kentucky ranks highest in the nation for the abuse of prescription drugs, so it is vital that your children understand that pills are just as dangerous and addictive as other drugs.”

Only two Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps remain.

On Thursday, July 8, the program will be at Jackson County Middle School starting at 4 p.m. The final camp of the year will be held at the Knott County SportsPlex on Thursday, July 15. This expanded camp, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature several past University of Kentucky players helping Sheppard with the skills instruction.

Since 2006 the camps have drawn more than 3,600 youth participants from 50 Kentucky counties, 10 other states and Mexico.

In addition to Phoenix Products, sponsors for UNITE’s 2010 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball tour include: Jackson Energy, Knott County SportsPlex, Knott Drug Abuse Council, Leatherwood Elementary UNITE Club, Pikeville Medical Center, Senture, SouthEast Telephone, Walmart and WestCare-Kentucky.

To view photos click here.

Residents of WestCare’s substance abuse treatment facility, who have been instrumental in providing volunteer assistance to Operation UNITE’s Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps for the past five years, brought that message front and center Monday afternoon June 28.

The men, anxious to show that lives nearly ruined by addiction can be salvaged, debuted an entertaining, high-energy dance presentation for the 110 youth gathered in the Estill County High School gymnasium.

“It’s important for youth to realize that substance abuse affects lives across the socio-economic spectrum,” said Jenifer Noland, Appalachian Region Vice President for WestCare. “These men are everyday family members, neighbors and friends who were drawn down a destructive path. Because of their personal experience with drugs, they have a unique perspective and desperately want to prevent others from going through that terrible trauma.”

The camp, featuring former University of Kentucky star Jeff Sheppard, was sponsored by WestCare Kentucky through an ARC mini-grant from the Estill-Powell KY-ASAP Board. Youth from 4 counties – Estill, Madison, Letcher, and Fayette — participated in the program and received a basketball and event T-shirt.

While the main order of the day was learning fundamental basketball skills, Sheppard explained that lessons learned from playing sports can be applied to the rest of your life.

“The best way to get from where you are today to where you want to be is to set a goal,” Sheppard said. “None of us is perfect, but you need to set goals, work hard and avoid being distracted by bad influences – such as using alcohol or other drugs.”

“The best way to stay on a straight line is not to try and do it by yourself,” continued Sheppard, the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Kentucky Wildcats’ 1997-98 national championship season. “You cannot win in life by yourself. It takes a team. It takes you hanging around the right people.”

During the three-hour camp, presented by Phoenix Products, Sheppard emphasized encouragement and effort as the most important ingredients to achieve one’s goals.

In addition, parents and care-givers attended a brief education program to discuss the importance of talking with children about drugs along with recognizing behavioral and physical signs of drug use.

“Children whose parents regularly speak with them about the dangers of drugs are 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs,” noted Sarah Flynn, PhD, research and community outreach director for UNITE. “Kentucky ranks highest in the nation for the abuse of prescription drugs, so it is vital that your children understand that pills are just as dangerous and addictive as other drugs.”

Other Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps this summer will be held:

• Tuesday, June 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Phelps High School in Pike County.

• Tuesday, June 29, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at East Ridge High School in Pike County.

• Thursday, July 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jackson County Middle School.

• Thursday, July 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Knott County SportsPlex.

Since 2006 the camps have drawn more than 3,600 youth participants from 50 Kentucky counties, 10 other states and Mexico.

Other sponsors for this year’s basketball tour include: Jackson Energy, Knott County SportsPlex, Knott Drug Abuse Council, Leatherwood Elementary UNITE Club, Pikeville Medical Center, Senture, SouthEast Telephone, Walmart and WestCare-Kentucky.

In addition to its long-term residential substance abuse treatment facility in Pike County, WestCare Kentucky operates a Homeless Shelter, Community Involvement Center and a Jail Recovery Program in Pikeville, and a Jail Recovery Program in Floyd County.

Based in Las Vegas, WestCare has more than 30 years experience providing a continuum of health and human services in community-based environments. Offering services in seven states and two U.S. territories, WestCare specializes in helping individuals and families historically considered difficult to treat, such as those who are indigent, have multiple disorders, or are involved with the criminal justice system.

During the past year the Lord’s Gym has been deeply involved in working with many parts of the community. For instance, they have served as host for many fundraisers for community organizations such as the McKee Volunteer Fire Department and the Jackson County High School Drama Club. The McKee Volunteer Fire Department held a chili supper and cake walk to raise funds for needed equipment. The Jackson County High School Drama Club sponsored a dinner theater program, where they served a spaghetti dinner while entertaining the audience with a Christmas variety show.

The Lord’s Gym also helped the Pigeon Roost Community Church with a benefit singing for one of their members that needed assistance. The singing featured the Kirby Knob Boys, along with many other talented singers.

This past Christmas Season the Lord’s Gym worked with the Appalachia Mission of Hope on their annual “Christmas in Appalachia Party” (even though the weather didn’t cooperate).

The Lord’s Gym has also provided many programs and events throughout this past year such as: a tutoring program for middle and high school students, two lock-in programs to celebrate the middle school’s 8th grade promotion and the high school’s senior graduation, they worked with students from Iowa’s Northwestern College to provide a “Fun Night” in which games and activities were provided by the students, and they even co-sponsored a “Pastor’s Revival” with the Jackson County High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They have also begun work on an indoor baseball/softball program that they hope to get started this fall.

The Lord’s Gym has worked with many community agencies such as the Jackson County Board of Education and the Census Bureau. A couple of times this year the gym served as the location for a self-defense training offered to some of the schools teachers. The Lord’s Gym also worked with the Census to provide them a meeting place when it was needed.

In an attempt to do something about the drug problem in Jackson County, they merged with the local Perfect Vision Anti-drug Coalition to found a new coalition, which is now called, “the Lord’s Gym of Jackson County Anti-Drug Coalition”. This group meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Lord’s Gym to come up with different ideas about how to prevent drug abuse in Jackson County.

This is but only a few of the ways that the Lord’s Gym has tried to be a part of the community and also tried to make Jackson County a better place for our youth. In order to be able to run a program like the Lord’s Gym it takes funding and volunteers. The Lord’s Gym is a completely volunteer-driven program. That means all workers are volunteers.

Adopt-a-Night
To help with their volunteer shortage, the Lord’s Gym is beginning a new initiative called the “Church Adopt-a-Night Program.” They are seeking churches that are willing to adopt a night to serve at the Lord’s Gym each week.

What the church will do is this: they will bring at least three of their adult members to help chaperone the gym for the night, they will also include their youth programs into this by also bringing them to the Lord’s Gym on their “adopted night”. They will work with the youth in attendance and provide a short devotional (approximately 20 to 25 minutes).

If your church may be interested in becoming part of the Lord’s Gym “Church Adopt a Night Program,” then please call one of the following for more information: Rev. Carroll DeForest (former pastor of Gray Hawk Reformed Church) at 287-2124, Pastor Brian Gabbard (Seven Pines Pentecostal Church) at 287-4990, or Pastor Everett VanZant (pastor at Gray Hawk Baptist Church) at 287-7347.

Like most people, the Lord’s Gym is currently going through some funding troubles. At this time there are approximately 13 churches that are monthly supporters of this program. That means they send in a monthly pledge that is used to operate the Lord’s Gym. Some churches send in $25, while others send in $100. It just depends on the size of the church, and what they are comfortable sending.

In order to keep the Lord’s Gym open it will take a larger commitment from the community. They are hoping that area churches and businesses will step forward to help save the Lord’s Gym by becoming monthly sponsors.

There are approximately 89 churches in Jackson County. If all of these churches gave only $25 a month that would add up to be $2,225 a month, or $26,700 a year. That would go a long way toward keeping this program open to serve the community and its youth.

This program has been a blessing to Jackson County. Isn’t it time we helped by returning the favor? If you, your church, or your business are interested in helping in anyway, then please call Neal Broadus at 364-2218 or call the Lord’s Gym at 287-LORD (5673).

If needed, they can provide a speaker for your church to come talk to you about the Lord’s Gym Program, or they will be happy to arrange for you a tour of the Lord’s Gym facilities. All donations received go toward operating and program costs.