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Chase Smith

Staff Writer

A meeting at the Ray of Hope in Pineville sponsored by the Middlesboro Business and Professional Women’s Club and the League of Women Voters was held Thursday evening to hear and discuss ideas for community projects to deter children and youth from using drugs and alcohol.

Lisa Stacey Gibbs. an employed through Pineville Community Hospital, said a few words about her experience in working with Leadership Bell County. “It was the most rewarding experience I have had in a very long time,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs says that Leadership Bell County picks a group to assist financially. The group decided to raise money for Camp UNITE. Camp UNITE is for children who come from homes where abuse, neglect and drug use is present.

Leadership Bell County organized a 5K run and a corn hole tournament to raise money for Camp UNITE.

Last year, Gibbs and her daughters spent the day at Camp UNITE held at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg to experience all that they had worked so hard for in raising funds.

“I had no idea that we had so many needy children in this area. I also had no idea what so many children have to live through,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs says that both her and her daughters were completely moved by hearing so many children tell their story about what they have had to go through in their life.

“It was life changing,” said Gibbs.

According to Gibbs, Camp UNITE has over 60 counselors that work with the children who have at one time, been campers in the same situations and lived through it.

Gibbs says if anyone is interested in raising or donating money towards an organization in the area, Camp UNITE is definitely a great option.

“It is life changing not only for the many children involved, but also for the people who donate their time to help,” said Gibbs.

Chase Smith is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She can be contacted at ksmith@heartlandpublications.com.