The “Drive To Recovery” fundraiser, a local fund drive to convert a First Street location into a transition house for men, raised $282,000.
The fundraiser, which was organized by officials with the Recovery Resource Club of Henderson and the Center for Addiction Recovery, started in October with the sale of $25 raffle tickets that lasted till Dec. 31.
On Jan. 4, the first drawing was held, and 100 winning participants got either a 65-inch television or a Blackstone griddle. Plus 20 others were drawn as finalists to win either a new vehicle or $30,000 cash. On Jan. 11, five winners from the 20 finalists were chosen.
Carrie Gentry, the manager of the Recovery Resource Club of Henderson, said organizers didn’t expect to raise that amount. She called the community participation and results of the fundraiser “mind-blowing.”
“We exceeded our goal by quite a bit,” she said. “Henderson as a community has been super supportive. We’ve just been blown away by the support and love.”
The funds will be used to renovate the building at 435 First St. into a home called “Men’s Unity Lodge” where men can transition from addiction recovery out into the world. A past article reported that the home will be able to house 14 men, but Gentry said Tuesday that number is not for certain and it could be more.
All the aforementioned prizes as well as a 2024 Jeep Compass Altitude 4×4, 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willy’s 4×4, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4 and a 2023 Grand Wagoneer Series II 4×4 were donated by Audubon Chrysler Center owner Larry Bennett.
Without Audubon Chrysler, Gentry said, this fundraiser wouldn’t have been able to go.
“A huge ‘Thank you’ to Audubon Chrysler for being so generous,” she said.
Additionally, one of the big winners gave their vehicle away to a new recovery center opening in Leitchfield so that it will be able to transport clients, Gentry said.
“Huge impacts are happening in the recovery community,” Gentry said.