SummerQuest Carnival day makes a splash!

On Friday, July 15th, Summerquest, Amethyst's summer day camp, held their first carnival! Amethyst employees and volunteers didn’t skip out on anything between the dunk tank, snow cone machine and moon bounce. All ages could enjoy fun activities like corn hole, cookie decorating, basketball, face painting and many more. Each game or activity won the kids various amounts of tickets to cash in at a prize table. The water guns and sticky hands seemed to be the best sellers, while the coveted beanie babies disappeared fast! Although the prize table brought lots of smiles, many would say the relay races were the highlight of the day. Camp members, moms, and volunteers formed two teams that competed in a series of challenging races; some involved hula hoops while others involved running with water! After the races, everyone chowed down on tasty Papa Johns pizza and racked up there last few tickets to cash in for prizes. Needless to say memories were made at SummerQuest’s first carnival, and as one camper stated as the day came to an end, “we can’t wait for next year!”

The carnival would not have been possible without the generous help of volunteers from Zonta, The Women’s Fund, Oxford Consulting, Columbia Gas and Nationwide. Special thanks to Amethyst board members Vicki Abbott, Judi French, Michelle Kerr and Terri Forgy who also gave their time to volunteer at the carnival. Amethyst sincerely thanks every volunteer for making the carnival a success.

Director of Drug Control Policy Visits Amethyst

On July 11th, Amethyst welcomed Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and White House Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske to the Jefferson Housing Unit. The visit consisted of a press conference in which Director Kirlikowskie presented 2011 National Drug Policy from the Office of the President. "We are very supportive of family-based treatment," Kerlikowske said in the news conference. "It keeps families intact." 
After the press conference, the Senator and Director were able to take a tour of the housing unit as well as speak with other Amethyst clients about their experiences with addiction and Amethyst recovery programs. The event as a whole was an inspiring tribute to Amethyst, but also a boost of encouragement to all involved in the fight against addiction because we know such great politicians are on our side.


Director Kerlikowske explained that Amethyst was a quintessential place to present this policy because Amethyst is a unique treatment facility and makes a profound impact in progress of recovery. Senator Sherrod Brown then shared details on his new Medicaid bill he is hoping to pass which would severely limit the abuse of prescription drugs. Before the conclusion of the press conference, Amethyst clients Tara and Cindy both were able to share their stories and how Amethyst has positively affected their lives.


Watch news coverage at http://www.amethyst-inc.org/index.php/News-Media