81 Recovering Addicts Assisted With $10,000 Fundraiser
WARSAW –Two churches, some local companies and many individuals helped Sarah Lockridge reach her goal of providing various gifts to every person who is in recovery from drug addiction in Kosciusko County.
The holiday fundraiser collected $10,774 that went toward gifts for 81 people in recovery.
Lockridge, who has a daughter in recovery, said she stretched her dollars by about $700 by using Kohl’s Cash and estimated that they saved thousands of dollars by shopping on Black Friday.
Some of the bigger contributors included Warsaw Community Church ($3,000); New Life Christian Church and World Outreach ($3,000); DePuy Synthes ($500); and a few individuals privately donated $200 to $500.
Also, 24 individuals will receive one week’s worth of rent paid for with the leftover money. Many lost their jobs before Christmas. These individuals are those who are working their recovery and who are following house rules appropriately, according to information provided by Lockridge.
This year, Lockridge will attempt to raise $30,000 for rehab scholarships.
“I don’t know where the future will take me with this ministry, but I know that as long as God is driving the ship, all things are possible,” Lockridge said.
Here are some of the purchases:
36 coats
44 boots/shoes (some were steel toe for work)
20 pairs of jeans and pants
21 packages of underwear
26 pairs of socks
29 T-shirts
22 hoodies
10 bras
Seven Bibles (some donated)
Six arts and crafts packages
100 books, including NA, AA, Celebrate Recovery, faith-based reading material, GED study guides, fiction and non-fiction
21 journals with 45 pens
A rosary
A St. Michael necklace (donated)
13 toiletries (some donated from WCHS students) – every stocking filled with body wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes donated by Clinkenbeard Dentistry in Fort Wayne)
13 book lights
76 haircuts donated by Barlon Cuts for Men and Babes and Combs
20 hats and gloves
76 stockings