By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

CRESTLINE — Seventy-four people made their ways to Calvary United Church of Christ in Crestline on Tuesday evening for the eighth annual Together We Hurt, Together We Heal banquet.

Mary Jean Hensley, one of the founders of the group, said the money raised from the event helps fund the groups two transitional homes, Sycamore House and Willow House, both located in Bucyrus.

“Both the men and women’s recovery houses are doing well. The Sycamore House has been impacting the lives of several men for two years and will continue to do so. Many seeds have been planted and the growth we see in these young men is what continues to inspire us to move forward,” Hensley said. “The Willow House recently accepted residents and we are excited to watch them heal and see what wonderful things God has in store for them.”

Hensley said a date for the Willow House open house for the public will soon be announced.

A table was set up at the event with placards representing the 17 lives lost year in Crawford County in 2017 to an unintentional drug overdoses.

Hensley said the Jody Demo-Hodgins award for 2018 went to Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke.

“This award is given in recognition of those who are serving individuals in recovery from addiction and giving hope to those who continue to struggle. Chief Koepke has impacted many lives through the Operation Hope program,” Hensley said. “His compassion, faith and determination in helping others is inspiring. It was an honor to present this award to him.”

The Together group was formed nearly a decade ago by a group of people that were brought together by the hurt and pain that drug addiction causes in families. The goal of the group is to provide support to help others heal their own families and prevent the same hurt in other families.

“Our mission as a Christian organization is to assist addicts and families in stopping the hurt brought on any the use of opiate and addictive substances through education, intervention and support, which include connections to treatment options, referral assistance and support during the transition,” Mary Jo Carle, the group’s program coordinator, previously said.

Upcoming events hosted by the Together group include the annual Community Care March which is Nov. 3 in Galion and the annual Night of Hope, which is Dec. 2 in New Washington.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.