By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
Substance abuse can be devastating, and, unfortunately, these numbers are exceedingly high throughout the U.S. Drug and alcohol addiction is also shown on the rise in the Mountain State. However, through rehab programs and treatment centers, those who need help can find it.
Highland-Clarksburg Hospital is trying to raise funds to support their new substance abuse unit and programming that is set to open later this year. Coming in May, they will be hosting their third annual Huggs & Kisses event that will be geared toward raising funds to help combat the substance abuse and opioid epidemic in West Virginia.
Slated for Friday, May 18th, attendees will hear a message from Bob Huggins, WVU Men’s Basketball Coach, and will also have an opportunity to participate in a live auction following the dinner that will feature a variety of items from sporting event tickets to getaways.
A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. that evening, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the live auction at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
All proceeds will support substance abuse services and programming at Highland-Clarksburg Hospital. The new service will include 38 substance abuse beds to aid in the recovery from substance use disorders by providing quality, comprehensive residential services within a safe and caring environment. The program will incorporate evidence-based practices, prevention strategies, and recovery supports as needed by the individual.
With your support of the 3rd Annual Huggs & Kisses fundraising event, you will be helping HCHI combat substance abuse, which is a growing epidemic in this area. HCHI’s objective is to help those in the area recognize that the problem exists and to intercede by offering solutions.
Highland-Clarksburg Hospital, Inc., a private, non-profit hospital dedicated to providing the best care for persons with mental illness, has established an integrated system of high-quality behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adult patients. Since its opening in August of 2013, HCHI has grown and intends to continue to expand their clinical programs and community initiatives in the future – including offering addiction services through this new unit that will hopefully provide life-changing programs to those who need treatment and seek recovery.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will also be donated to a project very dear to the heart of the evening’s guest speaker – the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Fund.
Highland-Clarksburg Hospital would like to thank the event sponsors for their support. The event is sponsored by Corporate Sponsor – Alpha Technologies; The Huggins Sponsor – Premier Energy Services; Dinner Sponsors – Jenkins Subaru, BB&T, and Carson Insurance Services; and Kaufman Auction Sponsor – Pratt & Whitney. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
To purchase tickets for the event online, visit https://highlandclarksburghospital.com/huggs-kisses/. For more ticket options, to become a sponsor, or for general inquiries, contact Kathy Burr at 304-969-3102 or e-mail kburr@higlandhospital.net.
Please consider attending this event and enjoy and evening filled with hope and fun while supporting a very worthwhile cause.
PHOTO CUTLINE:
WVU Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins, pictured above, will be the featured speaker for Highland-Clarksburg Hospital’s upcoming annual fundraiser on May 18th.
