Rutherford Weekly

OUR 23 rd YEAR • ISSUE NO. 5 • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE YOUR POSITIVE MEDIA SOURCE YOUR POSITIVE MEDIA SOURCE ©Community First Media Community First Media FOREST CITY FOREST CITY 828-245-7274 828-245-7274 CAROLEEN CAROLEEN 828-657-5353 828-657-5353 MEN--- Our Simply Devine Representatives want to assist you in selecting the perfect gift for your Special Valentine Any equipment purchased from Ace Equipment FREE PICKUP & DELIVERY FREE PICKUP & DELIVERY on all service work in February AVOID THE RUSH! CALL TODAY! AVOID THE RUSH! CALL TODAY! ©Community First Media Community First Media 126 Park Lane Dr Rutherfordton 126 Park Lane Dr Rutherfordton Behind BB&T Bank Behind BB&T Bank 828-286-9781 828-286-9781 ACE EQUIPMENT ACE EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE SALES & SERVICE FIRST MEDIA, INC FIRST MEDIA, INC "Creating Business For People" ® RUN AGAINST RUN AGAINST ADDICTION PLANS ADDICTION PLANS 'BIG REVEAL' FEB. 10 Angie Sanford and others will again run with a purpose this October when Run Against Addiction again offers a race that's more than just a running event, but one that is designed to bring awareness to the problem of drug addiction and the power in overcoming it. Information about the event will be provided during "The Big Reveal" on Feb. 10 at 6pm at Spindale House. "I overlooked it (the issue of addiction) until it hit my door," Sanford, who founded Run Against Addiction, said. At age 22, Sanford's daughter, Ayla, became addicted to methamphetamine. Overnight Ayla went from being a devoted daughter and mother to being withdrawn and frail. Sanford prayed and fought for her daughter, learning to navigate waters uncharted for her. It was Sanford's journey through fighting for Ayla that Run Against Addiction was born. All of the events hosted by Run Against Addiction have a purpose of changing a life, and providing community resources. "Every event we have education, health care, law enforcement, civic and youth organizations - anything positive that we can bring out," Sanford said. "We want this community to be whole, healthy and educated." Sanford also makes herself available to help others deal with their loved ones addiction. "No one knows the hell a family goes through with someone who is addicted," she said. "I will run the roads with family members if that is what they need. I know drug dealers, it's sad to say, and I pray them out of a job. I want them to recover, too." Run Against Addiction hosted its first race, a 5K, in May 2014. In October "Field of Dreams" was held at Forest City Housing Authority and included a free shopping spree, free haircuts, games and food. A half marathon is planned for October, and will be the first to be held in Rutherford County. A portion of the proceeds from it will benefit the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office GREAT Program. A portion will also benefit the House of Refuge, which will provide support for families in the community affected by addiction, with a long-term vision to house addicts and become an alternative to outpatient drug and rehabilitation treatment. It is also Sanford's desire that House of Refuge be a hands- on training facility to prepare those who have completed treatment for careers and trade jobs within the community. "If we all pull together in Rutherford County, we can change this community," she said. Run Against Addiction's "The Big Reveal" will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6-8pm at Spindale House. A one-day only registration discount of $20 will be given to all runners who attend the reveal and register for the half marathon at this event. By Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com By Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Runners prepared for Run Against Addiction's fi rst 5K in May 2014. Another race is planned for October, and will be the county's fi rst half marathon, said Run Against Addiction Founder Angie Sanford. Aryelle Miller's face lights up when her mentor, Sandra Babcock, comes to read with her. The Pinkalicious books are some of her favorites because her favorite color is pink. Babcock, too, enjoys the time she spends with Aryelle. As a Reading Buddy through the Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation, Babcock visits with Aryelle weekly and sometimes comes just to have lunch. Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation and the RCS Elementary Education Department began transitioning the mentoring initiative in 2013, said Steven Helton, director of elementary education for Rutherford County Schools. "When Communities in Schools of Rutherford County disbanded, one of the things we were concerned about was what would happen to the mentoring program they had," Helton said. "With the Read to Achieve legislation, we knew mentors could play a big part in that." The Read to Achieve Program has a goal to ensure that every student in North Carolina read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency in order to read and understand complex texts needed for secondary education and career success. While the mentor program is called Reading Buddies, mentors don't just have to read with students, Helton explained. "We are simply emphasizing literacy. Our mentors can develop literacy just by engaging in conversation with students, which is important for developing literacy skills," he said. "Mentors can also help students with other subjects as identified by the teacher." The time commitment for being a mentor is small when compared to the impact it can make for a student. "It's less than an hour a week," Helton explained. "A lot of children are often in situations that are challenging. Being a mentor is huge in making sure a student is successful in school." Training is required to be a mentor; during the 90 minute session participants are provided an overview of the program and given strategies for being a reading buddy. Trainings are held periodically at the county school's administrative offices and customized trainings are available for civic and church groups. The next Reading Buddies Mentor Training is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Rutherford County Schools Administration Building. If you plan to attend, please email Steven Helton at mentor@rcsedfoundation.org or call 828-288-2331. For more information on the program, visit http://www.tinyurl.com/ rcsefreadingbuddies. Aryelle Miller, a second grader at Spindale Elementary School, reads with Sandra Babcock recently. Babcock serves as a Reading Buddy through the Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation. READING BUDDIES READING BUDDIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR RCS ELEMENTARY FOR RCS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS STUDENTS Aryelle Miller a second grader at Spindale Elementary School Runners prepared for Run Against Addiction's first 5K in May 2014 Racers hold up their medals after completing the race. ©Community First Media Community First Media Now Open 11am-6pm Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm Saturday E Juice Vape Kits Glass Pipes Skateboards & More 828-229-3123 719 S. 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