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Belmont County Schools Staying Clean Club Receives $10,000 Donation

The Belmont County Schools Staying Clean club has more resources to work with in encouraging students to stay off drugs and say no, thanks to a donation of $10,000 from the Ayers family.

John Ayers and his wife, Brittany Ayers, presented a check for $10,000 to the Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Judge Al Davies for the club last week at his courtroom.

Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland, who serves as coordinator of the club, said this marks one of the clubs largest donations.

“This will help us out,” McFarland said. “Covering the cost of the drug tests and the snacks we get for kids on test day, and hopefully we’ll be able to have something a little extra for them. An end-of-the-year party for kids who participate in the club. We would like more activities, like a pizza day for the kids at each school, just to thank them for being drug free.”

He added that he hoped more students would be encouraged to participate when they see what the club offers.

The club has been active for several years and operates in 7th through 12th grades in all the schools in the county. The students are drug tested via a urine sample to keep them on track. The urine is tested at Wheeling Hospital’s laboratory. Diane Elerick, a juvenile court staff member, said there are currently more than 1,500 members, compared to last school year’s 1,300.

“We’ve increased it with the inception of the 7th and 8th graders,” she said.

McFarland added that the club has received support from throughout the community, including the Farm Bureau and an annual car show fundraiser.

“We’ve had a lot of people help out and pitch in for the cause,” he said, adding that the Ayers family have also been supporters of the drug-free club in other ways.

McFarland said he hopes the club is having an impact.

“We’re not arresting a whole lot of kids for drug use or drug possession,” he said.

John Ayers said he was happy to help the club.

“It’s going to a good cause,” he said, adding that he is a long-time friend of McFarland and a supporter of the effort to keep students drug-free.

“He started this program years ago, and after he started it we’ve always been involved with it,” he said. “This year I wanted to help out a little bit extra…It’s a good program. The kids need it. If it gets one kid off of drugs, if it changed their outlook in life, it’s worth it.”

Ayers commends the work the club has been doing.

“One of the biggest problems is finding someone to hire that’s clean, that you can trust. This program is a nice thing to put on your application,” he said.

“We’re very thankful for the generosity of the Ayers family,” Davies said. “The funds will be utilized in a very efficient and appropriate manner. We are very, very thankful for all they’ve done. They’ve done a lot for the Valley throughout the years as well. This is not unusual for the Ayers family.”

He added that he expects more activities from the club.

“The program continues to grow. We’re seeing good results, but there’s always more that needs to be done. Contributions like this will go a long way.”

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