With the prevalence of opiate addiction, various organizations in Highland County and beyond are trying to do what they can to make a positive difference.
Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey at Wednesday’s meeting of the Greenfield Village Council said that, according to pastor Larry Maynard, a revival at the Emmanuel Christian Church, 12281 Cameron Dr., Greenfield, is planned for Nov. 9-12. It is geared toward “those who are struggling with or affected by addiction,” Coffey said. Services will begin each evening at 7 p.m.
Coffey also said the church has been “active in the Hope Over Heroin discussions that have taken place.”
Local organizers in Highland County are trying to bring Hope Over Heroin, a large, two-day event, to Greenfield. Hope Over Heroin has seen positive impacts in other communities. An October fundraiser held in Hillsboro, according to Greenfield resident and Highland County Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition member Heather Gibson, raised about $11,000 of the $15,000 needed to host the event.
Greenfield council in June was receptive to lending its support and of possibly hosting the Hope Over Heroin event. Since that meeting, Gibson has come to talk with council members to make sure they have the necessary information on the logistical requirements, like security and parking, of hosting such a large event. Gibson said when Wilmington hosted the two-day event it drew 2,000 people.
The faith-based event, according to its website, “is much more than a weekend outreach. We unite regional faith-based, non-faith based, addiction recovery and grief resources at one place, most often for the first time, and connect those hurting the most with longterm support and resources.”
As previously reported, the event is geared toward raising awareness, and providing education and information on treatment, wellness and recovery in Highland County.
Check for updates on the Hope for Highland County Facebook page. For more information about Hope Over Heroin, go to hopeoverheroin.com.
In other business, Coffey announced the village’s leaf pick-up schedule as beginning on Monday, Nov. 7 and starting on Mirabeau Street and continuing on the south side of Greenfield. He said once the leaf pick-up on the south side is complete, the pick-up will move to the north side. He said the leaf pickup crew is scheduled to make two passes through the village.
Coffey also announced that the Greenfield Concerned Veterans annual Veterans Day ceremony is scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 outside the city building. The public is invited to attend.
The Greenfield Village Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the first floor of the City Building. The meetings are open to the public. To be put on the agenda, call the village offices at 937-981-3500.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
