Three individuals and two organizations will be recognized Friday night as Heroes Against Heroin Humanitarians by Transitions, Inc.
The awards dinner will be held at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse and is sponsored by BB&T.
The awards recognize those who provide hope to individuals, families and the community affected by heroin use. An independent panel of eight judges chose winners from nominations in five categories.
Heroes Against Heroin Humanitarian award honorees are:
Elected Officials: Kentucky Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill
For individuals working to solve issues related to the heroin epidemic such as: Legislators who drafted or worked hard to pass and enact the new heroin bill; Judges, Jailers, Sheriffs, or any other elected official who is looking for creative ways to help people who use/used heroin and their families.
Professionals: Ashel Kruetzkamp – St. Elizabeth Healthcare
For Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Health Department Officials, Social Workers, Chemical Dependency Counselors, Police Officers, Attorneys, Educators, Journalists or any other professionals who are working on the front lines with people who use/used heroin and their families.
Volunteer: Kimberly Wright, Cold Spring
Those who are providing education, access to treatment, acting as advocates, volunteers, service providers and those who are in recovery creating help & hope for people who use/used heroin and their families searching for resources.
Nonprofits: NKY Hates Heroin
For organizations (including churches) that provide funding, education, awareness, harm reduction, advocacy services and support in relation to providing solutions for the heroin epidemic.
Corporate / Business: Focus on Success, Ft. Mitchell
For entities that support individuals in recovery by providing internships, apprenticeships, and jobs – especially to those with felonies who find it extremely difficult to find a job; help to raise awareness about the heroin epidemic and community resources, including harm reduction; shine a light on projects that provide help & hope to people who use/used heroin and their families.
The Heroes Against Heroin Selection Committee received anonymous nominations in each category and assigned a point value to the top 5 nominations in each award category. The nomination receiving the highest score in each Award Category was declared the winner.
The eight-member Selection Committee included the following participants:
Trey Grayson, President & CEO, NKY Chamber of Commerce
Ann Barnum, Vice President, Community Strategies. Interact for Health
Perilou Goddard, PH.D., Professor, Northern Kentucky University
James Thaxton, Coordinator, NKY Heroin Impact Response Task Force
Joe Webb, Local 12 News
Mark Hansel, Managing Editor, NKyTribune
Charlotte Wethington, Recovery Advocate, Transitions, Inc.
Pamela Dimmerman, Community Relations Consultant, Transitions, Inc.
The event which starts at 6:30 p.m. features a dinner, video and award presentations, live auction, silent auction, raffles and live music. Proceeds support Transitions’ recovery services and public health programs.
For more information click here or call Transitions’ Main Office at (859) 491-4435.
Transitions Inc.