Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Use Coalition

10/13/2026

A few more moments to share. 💜

10/13/2026

When a community stands together. 💜

On Saturday, October 3rd, the weather was perfect, the energy was positive, and more than 400 people joined us at the Our Health Campus for the Addicted to Hope Rally. Together with our 2026 partner, Concern Hotline, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Use Coalition hosted an evening dedicated to hope, healing, and connection.

The evening started with an official proclamation adopted by the City of Wi******er to recognize three very important civic dates - International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31 | National Recovery Month, September | Substance Use Prevention Month, October. This proclamation represents the dedication of our local government and its resources in the fight against substance use disorder and its devastating effects.
(read more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19fCM2BK7J/)

We then presented our second annual "hughie" award to community members Gene Roop and Kelly Zydelis for their remarkable service delivered in the field of substance use. Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of our recovery community, and our community is better because of both of them.
(read more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BeQKFRjn7/)

Our keynote message was delivered by bestselling author and addiction recovery speaker, Brandon Novak. Brandon delivered a raw and powerful account of his journey through addiction and recovery. His message was a stark reminder that addiction does not discriminate…it can strip a person of everything and take them to the depths of darkness. But even in those moments, his journey is proof that recovery is possible, lives can be rebuilt, and your story isn't over.

Our 23 resource vendors, which included multiple neighboring organizations from West Virginia communities, brought interactive elements to their tables to spark real conversation and connection, and we are extremely grateful for their efforts and attendance.

Families enjoyed magic by Kevin Owens, free face painting, glitter tattoos, a bounce house, and slide, as well as WPD DUI pedal car simulations. We also handed out over 400 complimentary meals of hot dogs, chips, and water, plus free ice cream cones from Sugar Creek Snowy & Sweet. Wyatt's Lemonade & Dirty Sodas served up delicious food options as well as their signature lemonades.

Throughout the evening, people decorated luminary bags for loved ones lost to addiction. As it grew dark, Pastor Brad Hill of Wi******er Bible Church led us in a candlelit remembrance walk around the courtyard where a bell was rang for each of the six lives lost to overdose in our community between September 2025 and October 2026.

As we look back on this incredible evening, we are left with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to support our local recovery communities. We do this work because we fundamentally believe that change is always within reach, and that every single individual carries the potential, and is deserving of a healthier, brighter future.

To the dedicated resource vendors, the selfless volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and every single community member who showed up to stand with us… Thank You!

Your presence, your compassion, and your shared hope are what make healing possible.

Together, we can!! We remain…Addicted to Hope!!

P.S. The photos we are sharing aren't just random snapshots. They are moments of connection. They are real conversations. They are healing, relationship building, and lasting memories made. Thank you for being part of the story. 💜

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

“The only solution is love.” 💜

Last year, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Use Coalition created an award in recognition and honor of remarkable service delivered in the field of substance use, and we named it the "hughie." Not only was this award named after Hughie McGee, an individual well-known in our recovery community with 57 years of recovery...but he was also proudly named its very first recipient. This award recognizes a community member with true grit and selfless mentorship who demonstrates the life-changing power of simply showing up for another human being.

This year, it was impossible to choose just one recipient. Because when it comes to standing on the frontlines of hope in our community, you cannot talk about one without the other.

They are a team, a unit...and helping isn't just what they do - it is exactly who they are.

We are honored to introduce to you the 2026 hughie Award recipients, Gene Roop and Kelly Zydelis.

Together, Gene and Kelly represent decades of recovery, countless lives changed, and refusing to give up on anyone.

Gene Roop, with 25+ years of recovery, has spent decades building strong foundations in our area, creating safe spaces and recovery meetings where there were none. He leads with honesty, backed by genuine care... he is willing to have the hard conversations, challenge people to grow, and offers a hand-up to men rebuilding their lives.

Kelly Zydelis, with 10+ years of recovery, has poured her heart into guiding women toward freedom. From her dedicated years of service at The Lord Fairfax House to her vital work with The Recovery Connection, she is a living example of what a life transformed looks like.

Gene and Kelly don't do this for the applause. They do it in the quiet moments when no one is watching.

When asked to describe them, our community offered one word above all others:

Selfless.

Gene and Kelly, thank you for your grit, your sacrifices, and your fierce, unconditional love. There are people alive today because you believed they were worth showing up for.

Your legacy is woven into the very fabric of our recovery community. Our community is better because of both of you. Thank you for reminding us that recovery is built by one person helping another...and that sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer another human being is simply... LOVE!

Congratulations! 💜