By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Together We Hurt Together We Heal held its third annual fundraising banquet at Dillinger’s Event Center in Bucyrus Tuesday night. During the fundraiser the drug abuse support group announced new goals.

The goals for a transition house were laid out during co-founder Chris Lutz’s speech in which the first objective would be to secure a location, followed by hiring a coordinator, and finally documenting the progress of those who are using the transition house.

In years past Together We Hurt Together We Heal have attempted efforts at purchasing a property for a sober house, however that has changed

“We faced some zoning issues, so we needed to kind of rethink what we wanted to do. Long term we would love to have a sober house where we could have an in-house where people can stay. Because we know that is necessary; many homeless people in our area,” President Mary Jean Hensley said. “But at this point we are hoping to find them jobs and get them into housing on their own so that they can get out on their own and live.”

Twenty-sixth District State Senator Dave Burke was the keynote speaker for the fundraiser.

“I had never had a calling before,” Burke said.”However when House Bill 93, which many called the ‘pill mill bill,’ was passed with emergency, I knew what my calling was.”

Burke closed his speech to applause.

“Most of the good work won’t happen at the State level, it is going to happen at the local level with love support and hope in the communities, but I will continue the fight.”

Prior to Burke’s speech Municipal Court Judge Sean Leuthold, who has been on the frontlines on the county’s fight against drugs, spoke to the audience explaining that while the battle isn’t over the county is at a turning point.

“When I first started talking about it people didn’t want to deal with it. Now people ask: What can I do?”

“Crime has gone down, and overdoses are on the decrease,” Leuthold said. “We have to double our efforts. It is time to finish the job.”

New Washington United Methodist Church Pastor Scott Blevins closed the evening.

“I am not asking for money, but to commit the effort for this battle. It is good to cheer, but it is better to join the battle,” Blevins said.

More information on Together We Hurt Together We Heal can be found online at www.twhtwh.com or by calling 419-689-6427.