December 17, 2024 3:05 a.m.

H.O.P.E. Drug Court graduate phase participants have scheduled an event to promote heart health.

The Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court program is preparing for the 108th graduation ceremony on February 3, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in the community hall building at the fairgrounds.

A Douglas County Circuit Court release said graduate hopefuls Demetrius McCain and Ryan Guske have partnered to create an event at Parkview Skating Center called NEW HOPE for Heart Health in partnership with Safe at Home and FARA – Family, Faith and Relationship Advocates. Both participants have a special tie to the topic and want to promote better awareness in the community. McCain said his brother recently passed away from heart disease and he is dedicating the event to Nathaniel Charles Edward McCain III. Guske stated, “This project came to life for me because of being in recovery and finding out I have A Fibrillation of the heart”.

McCain and Guske have chosen to support the local Shaw Heart and Vascular Center in Roseburg with proceeds from the event and raffles staying local for the program. Mercy Foundation has created a safe way to donate online to a specific page made for the event. A QR is provided on the flyer, or a person could go to the donate website from the foundation: https://mercyfoundation.ejoinme.org/

Thanks to early sponsorships, the first 100 people to attend will be able to skate, have light refreshments, an opportunity for a 50/50 raffle and other raffle options. The event will be on Sunday, January 12th. A number of local community partners have already pledged their support. To help or donate call the organizers at 458-280-2056 or 458-310-0421

To view the graduate flyers, go to: https://douglascountyor.gov/851/HOPE-Drug-Court.