Small number, big idea
FD woman holds fundraiser for Webster County Drug Court alumni
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Christina Christian, of Fort Dodge, is all smiles as she poses with a Webster County Drug Court Alumni T-shirt displayed in front of her. Christian, who is almost three years sober, is selling the shirts to support the alumni group. The money will pay for sober social events and help members in a financial pinch.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Tim Mapel and Chris Staley, of Optic Ink, designed this Webster County Drug Court ribbon featured on T-shirts to support the Webster County Drug Court Alumni.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Christina Christian, of Fort Dodge, is all smiles as she poses with a Webster County Drug Court Alumni T-shirt displayed in front of her. Christian, who is almost three years sober, is selling the shirts to support the alumni group. The money will pay for sober social events and help members in a financial pinch.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Tim Mapel and Chris Staley, of Optic Ink, designed this Webster County Drug Court ribbon featured on T-shirts to support the Webster County Drug Court Alumni.
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After Christina Christian graduated from the Webster County Drug Court program in February 2020, she wanted to do something to help herself and others continue down the path of sobriety.
So she formed the Webster County Drug Court Alumni group on Facebook.
"This group is geared at creating a sober social circle and sober social activities and events for the Drug Court clients," Christian said.
Christian said one of the biggest reasons people relapse is stress.
"Stress is obviously caused by multiple different factors, but being financially stressed plays a big part on relapse," she said. "I want to help alleviate that stress for current and future Drug Court clients."
With that in mind, Christian is building a fund to help members of the group when confronted with a difficult situation.
"For instance, let's say they can't pay their water bill," Christian said. "We could help them with that."
Nick Coulter, of Fort Dodge, is currently in the Drug Court program. His first day was the day Christian graduated.
"It gives you all the tools to live a sober life," Coulter said. "You just have to put the work in."
Coulter said the program has saved his life.
He said creating a sober circle is important. And the Webster County Drug Court Alumni group provides that sober circle.
"You lose a lot of friends," Coulter said. "But you change your circle. I pretty much became a home body. Go to meetings and come home. This helps you interact with positive people instead of negative."
Through the Webster County Drug Court Alumni group, Christian is running a fundraiser.
She's selling shirts on the group's Facebook page.
Short-sleeve shirts can be purchased for $15. Long-sleeve shirts are $18.
A breaking the chains of addiction logo is featured on the shirts.
The proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward funding sober social activities and help Drug Court participants with financial struggles.
"My ultimate goal with this program is to create a large enough fund that will not only help bring sober social activities and events to the community, but will enable us to help the Drug Court participants with different financial struggles," Christian said. "Whether it be buying them work clothes, hygiene items or helping pay a past due bill."
Christian said she wouldn't be where she is today without the Drug Court program.
"I got into the program because of my OWI and drug usage," she said. "Had I not chosen the program, I would not be where I am. I'd probably be in prison."
Instead, Christian just recently started a new position as a patient care technician at UnityPoint Health -- Trinity Regional Medical Center.
"I'm almost three years clean," she said. "I have a beautiful 10-month-old daughter."
To date the Webster County Drug Court Alumni group has raised $339.19. Her goal is to reach $1,000.
"It's a small number," Christian said. "But a big idea."
To order:
To order a shirt to support the Webster County Drug Court Alumni fundraiser, visit the Webster County Drug court Alumni Facebook page and there will be a link there to order the shirts online. The store closes March 15.