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On seven different occasions, the Rally4Recovery event has taken place in Winchester.

Many are excited to say that this year will be no different.

The 8th Annual Rally4Recovery – designed to unite individuals impacted by substance use disorder and mental health struggles – will occur on Friday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. outside the Clark County Courthouse at 34 South Main St.

Celebrate Recovery of Calvary Christian Church presents the event, which is personal for Celebrate Recovery volunteer and Calvary Christian Church missions outreach director JuaNita Everman, who is also serving as event director.

“I’ve been in recovery for 27 years, and this is my passion,” Everman said. “When I got into recovery, I realized there [are] so many people out there that are struggling. I just want them to get the freedom just like I did there’s a lot of different ways to recovery, and we honor all of those.”

Hundreds attend the event each year.

Helping to set up the event are several sponsors, including Hunt Brothers’ Pizza, Todd’s Road Stumblers, Winchester First, ASAP, Grace Baptist Church, Craig’s Auto Repair, GV Kentucky Foundation, Grace Baptist Church and Pinnacle Treatment Centers.

DJ Todd Chaney will play live music.

Beneficially, proceeds will go to youth and elementary programs, a CR Inside program designed to guide those incarcerated and support different events geared toward those in recovery.

Remembrance pinwheels will be displayed along with recovery stories from those who have combatted or been negatively impacted by substance use disorder.

Resource tables will be present to benefit those wishing to learn more.

“The resources are any services that somebody wanting recovery will need,” Everman added. “Whether it’s counseling, whether it’s housing, or whether it’s support groups.”

A kid zone to keep little ones entertained, as well as the Winchester Police Department, will be among others present to provide support.

Certainly not least, Rally4Recovery will feature a slew of guest speakers.

They are CEO of People Advocating Recovery Tara Hyde, president/CEO of Shepherd’s House Jerod Thomas and director of the Winchester-Clark County BCTC Campus Bruce Manley.

While Hyde has assisted in the development of human resource policies and procedures for employers across the country that support people who identify with substance use disorder, and Thomas helped lead the Boyle County Detention Center Substance Abuse Program successfully, Manley has chaired the Winchester Human Resource Association that supports education and training through BCTC’s Workforce Solutions.

The latter helps solve local workforce needs and advocates for fair chance employment.

A mobile drug trailer that others can walk through to increase awareness of the dangers of opioids and other substances and representatives of the state Angel Initiative will be present.

The Angel Initiative, started in 2016 by the Kentucky State Police, allows those battling addiction to come to any KSP post and receive assistance finding a treatment center.

Through events such as Rally4Recovery, Everman hopes to help others overcome any stigma or other factors that threaten to impede progress.

“I just pray people reach out for help,” Everman said. “You don’t need to do this alone. You can’t do it alone. Clark County is so blessed. We have so many resources and services. There’s no reason that anyone [should be] without help.”