FIONA MORGAN

fiona@amnews.com

The 23rd annual Run for Recovery fundraiser is happening on July 23 at Keeneland. It is the largest fundraising event of the year for Shepherds House.

Shepherds House is a recovery program for people released from prison, or who are struggling with addiction. It started in Lexington and has locations around Kentucky, including one in Danville.

The race is a 5K that will start at 8 a.m. at the Keeneland race track in Lexington. For those who cannot attend in person, the event has a virtual race option.

Virtual participants can run or walk the race wherever they want, either outside on a trail or track, or on a treadmill at the gym or in their homes. People can post their times on the race website.

There is also a live fun walk, which is one mile long.

Community Outreach Coordinator in Danville Roger Fox said Shepherds House usually raises around $50,000 at this event. This year, their goal is $75,000.

The money goes to keeping the organization’s many housing programs affordable. Fox said this year is more important than ever because of the recent overdose statistics.

According to the state’s drug overdose report, Kentucky had over 2,200 overdose deaths in 2021, which is 14.5% more than the previous year.

The Danville chapter has a day reporting program, which helps people released from jail figure out their next step; an intensive outpatient program, a women’s house, and they offer peer support to people dealing with family court cases.

“This event goes a long way in helping the Shepherds House keep treatment affordable and accessible,” Fox said.

The Women’s Recovery Housing Program currently houses up to 17 women at a time. The money raised will go toward rent, maintenance, staffing, etc.

“The funds that are raised at this event help us allow women to come into the program and not have money as a barrier to them entering into treatment,” Fox said.

People can register for either the virtual or live races on the race website at https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/KY/Lexington/ShepherdsHouseRunForRecovery.