MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Every year, the Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women in Richmond hosts a holiday luncheon fundraiser to help women in need.
“When they do come to us, they're pretty much at their rock bottom. They've battled alcoholism or drug addiction and sometimes they are paroled to us from jail or prison,” said Karen Atkins with Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc, which oversees Liberty Place.
The women live in housing as long they need the program, which could be up to a couple of years. While the center receives grants, it lost some funding this year because of the pandemic.
That's why fundraising efforts, like the annual holiday luncheon, are so important to keep the program running. This year, like many other events, the lunch went virtual with recorded testimonies and an online silent auction.
“We didn't want to lose our signature event and we didn't want COVID to be the reason we didn't do anything this year,” said Atkins.
Atkins calls addiction a disease of isolation and something that's even harder to battle during the pandemic. So, any way they can help these women make a difference.
“The money we raise helps pay for personal care items,” said Atkins. “It pays for the recovery materials like their AA books. Art therapy supplies. Things that might cover like your GED fees.”
If you'd like to help, you have until 10:00 Saturday night to bid on auction items you can donate until midnight Sunday. Learn more here.
