July 29 Rally Puts Spotlight On Addiction
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Brandi Shepherd notes those facing addiction themselves or affected by it in any way are facing a fight.
“You’re living a war,” she said.
Shepherd, of Warsaw, speaks from experience. She’s lost her mother and brother to addiction.
Her brother passed away in 2021 from a fentanyl overdose, and her mother died in 2005 from alcoholism.
It’s why she founded Walking in Awareness and Recovery (WAR) this year, meant to help raise awareness about addiction and help people recover. It’s name comes from recognizing the battle that addiction engenders.
WAR is hosting a rally from 3-8 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse. It will include a walk, speakers, raffles and other activities.
Shepherd said she and other members of WAR were inspired to have a rally after attending Huntington United Against Overdose’s similar event in June.
That latter group will be amongst speakers at WAR’s rally. Other speakers include Shepherd, Ann Hasse from Fellowship Missions, Kenny Howard, Brandy Black, April Irons and Kathy Buckheit.
“We are in hopes that this rally will bring not only more awareness but hopefully bring in the funding we need to obtain our 501(c)(3), as well as help in efforts to offer a multitude of resources such as but not limited to MRT (Moral Recognition Therapy) support groups and Narcan training,” said Shepherd.
She’s already filed the paperwork to make WAR a nonprofit and hopes to eventually gain office space to offer the above resources to the community.
Shepherd clarified that her goal with WAR isn’t to “diminish” what other entities in Kosciusko are doing to fight addiction, but provide additional help to combat the problem.
“Kosciusko County has some amazing programs already in place for recovery efforts. While I would never diminish the great things already taking place, I know we can do even more,” she said. “We have to. I have an amazing team, working with me to bring awareness to our community. To shed light, stand up, end the stigma, and offer hope!”
She added that everyone, regardless of whether they know someone who’s faced addiction or not, is touched by the issue due to its prevalence.
“It affects everybody … both personally and being part of a community as a whole,” she said.
Shepherd said she knew from a young age that she wanted to help others, which was spurred by her time spent as a foster child.
“I always wanted to help people and make a difference,” she said, adding also that “My trials are leading me to beautiful triumph.”
She’s being helped in organizing WAR by a number of friends who’ve had close connections with addiction themselves.
People are welcome to donate towards WAR, with Shepherd noting funds will be used for a future office space among other things. Donations may be given via PayPal at WARWarriors, or people may give via emailing [email protected].