Another coalition project is to support the adult and juvenile Drug Court programs.
Whitley County has 11 registered UNITE Clubs for the 2009-10 school year – Boston Elementary, Corbin Intermediate, Corbin Middle, Oak Grove Elementary, Pleasant View Elementary, Whitley Central Intermediate, Whitley County High, Whitley County Middle, Whitley Day Treatment, Whitley North Elementary and Williamsburg Elementary.
To view pictures of UNITE Club activities click here.
Lifeline of Corbin/Whitley County holds weekly programs. Anyone who is interested should contact Mary Jane Boggs at 606-312-2757.
Tuesday, March 23 - Fourth of six regional UNITE Coalition training sessions for anyone interested in making a difference within their community, 5 p.m. in the Moonbow Room at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. For details contact your county's coalition coordinator, call 1-866-678-6483, or e-mail to bcalhoun@centertech.com.
Recent Activites
Friday, January 22 - Approximately 35 youth and 9 adults attended a BMX bike show. The presentation featured amazing bike stunts, a question-and-answer session, and a heart-felt speech about making the right decisions and achieving what you are good at by working hard and staying away from drugs and alcohol. Other sponsors included the Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Program/Natural High Video and Youth Services Center. For more information contact Stacie Moses at 606-523-3619.
Tuesday, January 12 - A training for supervisors at the Whitley County Health Department on drugs and alcohol was conducted.
2009 Events
Friday, November 6 - A methamphetamine awareness training was given to care providers and teachers at Corbin Preschool.
Monday-Wednesday, September 14-16 - Former Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams was the featured speaker at "Fall Awakening 2009" held at Gatliff Chapel on the University of the Cumberland Campus in Williamsburg. Adams spoke to the student body on five occasions, with 300-400 people at each event. In addition, he spoke with the women's basketball and football teams. The event was sponsored by the university and Whitley County UNITE Coalition. For details contact Dean Whitaker at 606-530-4232 or dean.whitaker@ucumberlands.edu.
Friday, June 12 - UNITE participated in a health fair for employees and families of Firestone Industrial Products. For details contact Joyce Parker at 606-549-6103.
Friday-Sunday, June 5-7 - A few of Bluegrass music's hottest groups headlined the second Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival, held June 5-7, 2009, just east of Williamsburg. Approximately 1,500 people attended. Sponsored by Whayne Supply Company, all proceeds from gate admission and the raffle of a Martin D-28 guitar benefited Operation UNITE's anti-drug youth initiatives in southern and eastern Kentucky.
To view photos click here.
Saturday, May 16 - A free "Women of Worth" celebration to educate, uplift, enhance and inspire the lives of women in the Cumberland Valley Region was held at the Corbin Center for Technology. This event was sponsored by Community Collaboration for Children, Region 9 FRYSC, and The Family Life Abuse Center. For details call Petra at 606-526-6303 or Teresa at 606-392-1120.
Monday, May 11 - UNITE gave a drug awarenesss and prevention presentation to third- and fourth-grade students at Corbin Elementary School. For details contact Jennifer Knuckles at 606-523-3638 or jennifer.knuckles@corbin.kyschools.us.
Friday, April 24 - A free concert featuring the Christian rock group Seventh Day Slumber and University of the Cumberlands Praise Band was held at the Whitley County Middle School gym. Approximately 720 people received reinforcement about the dangers and consequences of using drugs and encouraging them to say no during the show. The event was part of an eight-team softball tournament sponsored by the Whitley High First Priority Club and Whitley County UNITE Coalition. For information contact David Halcomb at 606-344-0169, Sherry Gibbs at 606-215-1231 or Lee Schroeder at 606-215-6599.
To read a release click here.
Thursday, April 16 - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky will again be the primary sponsor for Camp UNITE and Whayne Supply Company has agreed to be a sponsor for this summer’s Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival on the condition proceeds from ticket sales and a guitar raffle are designated for Operation UNITE’s youth initiatives, Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers announced in a press conference at the University of the Cumberlands.
To read story click here.
To view photos click here.
Tuesday, March 17 - A free program - "Hot Drugs of Abuse" - on the current trends in drug abuse and what we can do in our families and communities was presented to approximately 150 people by UK College of Medicine Professor Emeritus Patrick J. Sammon and Lexington-Fayette County Assistant Chief Mike Bosse at the Corbin High School auditorium. For details call 1-866-678-6483.
To view photos click here.
Wednesday-Thursday, March 4-5 - An anti-drug puppet show was performed at elementary schools to reinforce the importance of making good decisions in life and increase community awareness about the coalition. Approximately 2,900 students, 300 school staff and 125 parents were impacted.
Monday-Wednesday, February 16-18 - A free campus renewal was held nightly at the Gatliff Chapel at the University of the Cumberlands in conjunction with the Whitley County UNITE Coalition. Ray Sydnor, a member of the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl team, who spoke about his 19-year-addiction to crack cocaine and his miraculous continual recovery. between 150 and 200 people attended each evening. For details contact Dean Whitaker at 606-539-4343 or dean.whitaker@ucumberlands.edu.
2008 Activities
Tuesday, December 9 - The Whitley County Juvenile Drug Court held a graduation ceremony and Christmas party at the Mary Jefferies Community Center in Williamsburg. Food and drinks were served. For details contact Angel Baker, 606-528-0273 or angelabaker@kycourts.net.
Monday, September 29 - "Monday Night Live" presented Flame in concert at Gatliff Auditorium on the University of the Cumberlands campus.
Wednesday, September 24 - Focus on the Family conducted a Community Champions team training for residents of Corbin and McCreary County at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Corbin. For information contact David Hampton at 606-521-3561 or UNITE at 1-866-OP-UNITE (1-866-678-6483).
Wednesday, September 24 - The Whitley County Coalition combined forces with First Priority, UNITE Clubs and local churches across Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties for a special "See You At The Pole Rally." The event was held in the parking lot of First Priority's Tri-County Office in Corbin. Event featured University of Louisville Chaplain Chris Morgan as guest speaker, a concert by the Somerset band "Live Fish," three inflatables and games. For details contact Lee Schroeder at lee.schroeder@whitley.kyschools.us.
Wednesday, June 11 - A Town Hall breakfast meeting with Focus On The Family was held at the Corbin Center for Technology and Community Activities. Residents of the Corbin metropolitan area (Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties) were invited to discuss how a partnership between Focus on the Family and UNITE can work together to positively impact families. Anyone with a heart to make a difference in the community is invited to be part of the conversation. For details call 606-677-6179.
Friday, June 6 - UNITE gave a drug awareness and prevention information to employees at Firestone's annual health fair. For information contact Joyce Parker at 606-546-6103.
Tuesday, May 20 - A public awareness program about methamphetamine was presented by the Corbin Area UNITE Group at the Corbin Parkway Church, 510 East Cumberland Gap Parkway. The program included signs of a meth lab, symptoms of a meth user and what to do if you encounter a meth lab.
Saturday, May 17 - The Williamsburg UNITE Clubs conducted an anti-drug protest rally on the front lawn of the Williamsburg Independent School District. Food and freebies were provided, along with poster board and markers for those wishing to make signs. For details contact Tom Stephens at tom.stephens@wburg.kyschools.us.
Wednesday, May 14 - A presentation about Operation UNITE and opportunities for the church to become more involved was presented at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Corbin.
Monday, May 5 - A drug and alcohol abuse program was given to Cub Scout Pack 530 at First Baptist Church in Corbin. For information contact Bret Smitley at 606-523-9550 or mbsmitley@newwavecomm.net.
Saturday, April 19 - Third annual UNITE fishing tournament on Laurel Lake. First place received $2,500.
Monday, April 14 - A free concert featuring the band 1000 Generations was held in the Gatliff Chapel on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.
Monday, March 31 - More than 100 people attended the "We need U to uNITE Corbin" recruitment dinner held by the Corbin Area UNITE Group at the Grace on the Hill Church. Food along with a silent auction, which raised more than $1,100. Guest speaker was former University of Kentucky football player Jeff Sheppard. Other speakers included two individuals from the recovery community and UNITE President/CEO Karen Engle. For additional details contact Pastor Rick Fowler at 606-528-8100 or rf22577@aol.com.
Wednesday, March 26 - UNITE presented three drug awareness trainings to employees at Northern Contours in Corbin. For details contact Melissa Taylor at 606-523-5747.
Tuesday, February 12 - An organizational meeting for the new UNITE Coalition was held at the Parkway Church of God. Come join the war on drugs. For more information call 606-528-8100.
Mailing Address: 116 North 4th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769
Website: n/a
Coalition Meetings:
Noon on the 3th Wednesday of each month at the Whitley County Board of Education fourth floor board room, 300 Main Street, Williamsburg.
To view pictures of UNITE Club activities 