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POINT PLESANT, W. Va. — Fruth Pharmacy hosted a dinner for the first recipients of the Bridge of Hope Scholarship Fund on July 19th at Mi Pueblitos in Hurricane.
“Nine months ago, we had an idea to use some of the Fruth Scholarship Fund to make an impact in the lives of people fighting drug addiction,” Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy began, “a group of us sat down at Panera in Hurricane and talked about this dream to raise money for people in recovery so they could complete their journey back to a full life. We recognized that having employment and career opportunities was key to completing recovery and rejoining our communities as contributing members.”
The phrase, Bridge of Hope Fund, was coined by Tim Hazelett of the Huntington Health Department. Fruth Pharmacy committed $20,000 to start the fund. With the support of both West Virginia’s US Senators, Joe Manchin and Shelly Moore Capito, Fruth Pharmacy worked with The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation to establish the program and announce it in December 2017. To date, the fund has grown to nearly $150,000 for scholarships.
“I would like to recognize some folks who were instrumental in getting this started,” Fruth continued, “Matt Boggs, Dr. Mike Kilkenny, Tim Hazelett, Dr. Michael Brummage, Judy Crabtree, and my son Michael Fruth. Michael really encouraged me to do something that would make a difference for people in our area trying to get past an addiction.”
Fruth celebrated the following recipients at the dinner:
Amanda Baker: Amanda has been in recovery for a year. She will be attending Garnett Career Center for a Phlebotomy Certification.
Brittany Farley: Brittany has been in recovery for 2 years. She plans to attend West Virginia University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work. She wants to help other women who are fighting addiction.
Nick Roberts: Nick has been in recovery for 6 years. Nick is attending Marshall University and pursing a master’s Degree in Teaching. He plants to teach English at the Middle or High School level.
Bernard Slater: Bernard has been in recovery for 1 year. He plans to attend Marshall University to complete his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts.
Arron Walker: Arron has been in recovery for 17 months. He plans to pursue a Criminal Justice Degree at Bridge Valley Community and West Virginia State. Arron wants to become a Parole Officer.
Emily Birchhead: Emily has been in recovery for over 3 years. Emily plans to attend Marshall University and pursue a master’s of Social Work.
Gregory Moore: Gregory has been in recovery for 17 months. He will be attending West Virginia University Parkersburg to pursue a law or counseling degree.
Michael Robinette: Michael has been in recovery for 3 years. Michael wants to attend Marshall University and pursue a master’s degree in History.
Each recipient was introduced and presented a framed certificate and a copy of ‘A Journey of Giving’, a biographical book about Jack Fruth, Founder of Fruth Pharmacy.
Recipients families and friends also attended the dinner and offered support.
“Today is a celebration of what you have overcome. Your life now belongs to you again. You can choose to be whatever you want. I believe in redemption, and there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Promise yourself, that YOU will not set any limitations on yourself,” Fruth shared during her opening welcome to the Bridge of Hope Scholarship recipients.
