(Nov. 17, 2016) Since forming earlier this year, the nonprofit Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction has experienced a number of firsts, from its first meeting in April, to its first major fundraiser at Trader Lee’s in West Ocean City in September.
This week, for the first time, a shop in Berlin will hold a weeklong fundraiser for Worcester County Warriors’ programs.
Bruder Hill owner Shelly Bruder said she had wanted to work with the group since she first heard about it.
For her, the struggle against opiate addiction was a familiar story.
“I grew up with an addict in my home. My brother was an addict and ended up getting cancer and dying last year,” Bruder said.
She said business at the shop has kept her away from the majority of the monthly Warriors meetings, and giving back through a donation was her way of getting involved.
Another motivator, Bruder said, was the passing of family friend Bob Harman last month. In lieu of flowers, his family asked that donations be made in his name to the Worcester County Warriors.
Harman’s grandson, Kyle, almost died of an overdose earlier this year.
“We’ve been following [Kyle’s] progress, and he’s coming along, which is wonderful,” Bruder said. “He almost died.
“We love them and we’ve really been wanting Kyle to get better,” she added. “I just think it’s so important to support this cause, because it’s rampant in this community. It doesn’t matter how old you are, who you are, what economic bracket you’re in – it can happen to anybody.”
Through Nov. 20, Bruder Hill, on 25 Commerce Street, will donate a portion of its proceeds in the memory of Harman and Bruder’s brother, Anthony Komornik.
Warriors co-founder Jackie Ball said many instances of heroin and opiate-related fatalities go unrecorded because a lifetime of drug abuse – and not necessary an acute overdose – are often the cause of death.
“We hear these stories all the time, and the age of her brother is much more common than people realize,” Ball said. “In Worcester County and throughout Maryland, we are really concerned about the 20-year-old, which is a problem, but the people who are dying are mostly in their 50s and 60s.”
As evidence that Bruder Hill will only be the first of many local businesses to rally behind the Worcester County Warriors, Burley Oak Brewing Company also recently announced a partnership. On Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. the brewery, on 10016 Old Ocean City Boulevard, will raise money for the nonprofit’s efforts to provide transportation to inpatient addiction centers.
Rogue Citizens will provide entertainment, guest bartenders from Ocean 98 and the band Full Circle will pour beers, and a Chinese auction will raise additional funds.
The Worcester County Warriors will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin.
For more information, visit www.wocowarriors.org, or search “Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction” on Facebook.
This week, for the first time, a shop in Berlin will hold a weeklong fundraiser for Worcester County Warriors’ programs.
Bruder Hill owner Shelly Bruder said she had wanted to work with the group since she first heard about it.
For her, the struggle against opiate addiction was a familiar story.
“I grew up with an addict in my home. My brother was an addict and ended up getting cancer and dying last year,” Bruder said.
She said business at the shop has kept her away from the majority of the monthly Warriors meetings, and giving back through a donation was her way of getting involved.
Another motivator, Bruder said, was the passing of family friend Bob Harman last month. In lieu of flowers, his family asked that donations be made in his name to the Worcester County Warriors.
Harman’s grandson, Kyle, almost died of an overdose earlier this year.
“We’ve been following [Kyle’s] progress, and he’s coming along, which is wonderful,” Bruder said. “He almost died.
“We love them and we’ve really been wanting Kyle to get better,” she added. “I just think it’s so important to support this cause, because it’s rampant in this community. It doesn’t matter how old you are, who you are, what economic bracket you’re in – it can happen to anybody.”
Through Nov. 20, Bruder Hill, on 25 Commerce Street, will donate a portion of its proceeds in the memory of Harman and Bruder’s brother, Anthony Komornik.
Warriors co-founder Jackie Ball said many instances of heroin and opiate-related fatalities go unrecorded because a lifetime of drug abuse – and not necessary an acute overdose – are often the cause of death.
“We hear these stories all the time, and the age of her brother is much more common than people realize,” Ball said. “In Worcester County and throughout Maryland, we are really concerned about the 20-year-old, which is a problem, but the people who are dying are mostly in their 50s and 60s.”
As evidence that Bruder Hill will only be the first of many local businesses to rally behind the Worcester County Warriors, Burley Oak Brewing Company also recently announced a partnership. On Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. the brewery, on 10016 Old Ocean City Boulevard, will raise money for the nonprofit’s efforts to provide transportation to inpatient addiction centers.
Rogue Citizens will provide entertainment, guest bartenders from Ocean 98 and the band Full Circle will pour beers, and a Chinese auction will raise additional funds.
The Worcester County Warriors will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin.
For more information, visit www.wocowarriors.org, or search “Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction” on Facebook.