Dec. 16—Community was the focus of a recent donation to the Lauren's Wish Addiction Triage Center from Mona Supply Co. and Anheuser-Busch.
"This type of situation affects families everywhere, " said Larry Oleksa, owner of local beer and beverage distributor Mona Supply Co. Inc.
"I actually know a couple of families that it affected, and I thought this is a great thing for us to be able to do because if what we are contributing helps just one life it's worth it, " he said. "So that's the biggest thing — to give back and try to help the entire idea of what they are doing here."
Oleksa and Anheuser-Busch Regional Commerical Manager Nick Cyr stopped by the Lauren's Wish center at Hazel's House of Hope on Friday afternoon to present the organization that helps people with substance abuse problems with a $7, 500 check.
Funds for the donation were raised through the sales of select Anheuser-Busch products during October and November in Monongalia County.
Founder and chairman of Lauren's Wish, Michael Cole, said receiving the donation "solidifies that the community is starting to learn and understand what we are about and come on board to help us do what we do — which is to help save lives."
The Lauren's Wish Addiction Triage Center covers a gap in addiction treatment between the hospital following an overdose and a long-term treatment center where many suffering from addiction are left to fend for themselves while waiting for placement in a center.
This void in addiction recovery is what Lauren's Wish tries to fill by providing a safe and healthy space for individuals who are seeking treatment placement.
Clients are monitored by peer recovery staff and have access to case management and addiction recovery resources in a healthy environment. When a placement is made, Lauren's Wish transports them to their destination, ensuring that safe environment is not compromised.
"We're not a medical place. We care, " said Lind Murray, director of Lauren's Wish. "And so, by caring for an individual and making sure he or she gets the proper help that they need, I think that's the most important thing and I think we do that very well here."
Murray said that in addition to the monetary donation, Oleksa is also donating the wood needed to build a memorial wall in Lauren's Wish Memorial Garden outside the center. The memorial wall will serve as a tribute to those who have lost their battles with addiction.
"When you step up to the plate in your community and just don't say the words, but put effort into it, it speaks big on his part, " Murray said. "I think it's a great thing for the community that the businessmen of Morgantown are understanding that there is a problem."