Never Let Go Luncheon of Hope 'huge success'

The Juarezes said the most important goal of this event is to provide a day of awareness of addiction, to erase the stigma associated with addiction, to honor those who lost their lives, to celebrate recovery and, most of all, to share the gift of hope.

“It was a huge success,” said Mary Juarez. “Victor and I feel like the mission was accomplished, regardless of what the dollar amount raised is. The money raised is appreciated, but that’s not the most important part of the day.”

The Luncheon featured a Coach purse raffle, won by Julie Taylor, principal at St. Mary Catholic School in Edgerton. NLG also had several items donated from different businesses and friends that provided for a nice second raffle. A 50/50 drawing was held, and the winner, Sharon Bates from Bryan, won $271, all of which she generously donated back to NLG.

Taylor Smith, an NLG fan and a junior at Edgerton High School, organized a bake sale for the Luncheon, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society donated the baked goods.

Hosts decorated their tables in a wide variety of themes, adding much color and beauty to the gym. There were 19 tables in all. Subway of Edgerton worked with NLG to help provide the lunch and even sent its own workers to help serve. Steve Jennings of EcoWater & Softener Repair donated bottled water. There was a table provided by NLG with resources and one sponsored by NAMI, with much literature available.

Speakers added emotion to the day. Mary Juarez read a testimony from a past inmate at the juvenile detention center in Stryker who heard Marjoe’s story when she was 16 and said it had a huge effect on her life and her choices after that. She is now a happy 26-year-old with a family. Madison Smith, from Edgerton, now a college student, spoke about being in third grade and hearing Mary’s story about Marjoe, the very first talk Mary ever gave. Madison said she will never forget that day. She has been an active part of NLG since then, and also was one of the NLG Scholarship winners in 2020.

One of Marjoe’s past classmates from high school, Greg Kimpel, added a little humor, telling a funny story about their high school years together. Deputy Jeff Lehman with the Williams County Sheriff’s Office talked about the fentanyl problem in the area and the country. Personal testimonies included a father who lost a son; Patience, Kayla, Seth and Chad, who all spoke about what the road of addiction has been like for them, and their recovery. Wendy Jennings spoke briefly about mental health and addiction and Andrew Foster, president of Inspirations Ministries in Auburn, Indiana, shared information about how his ministry has grown and how they are able to help many people who are trying to turn their lives around.

Victor and Mary had a slide show that focused on many areas and statistics and showed how NLG reaches out to families affected by addiction. A memorial table was displayed with more than 25 pictures of those who lost their lives in a drug-related death.

“It truly was a day of hope and one that will be remembered for a long time,” Mary Juarez said.