It’s been five months since O’Keefe—an inspiration to so many in her fight against drug addiction—lost her battle to liver cancer. She was 68.

For those O’Keefe left behind, the loss still feels all too fresh. And yet, her confident and unwavering resolve lives on in the hearts of those who loved her and can’t imagine not continuing the mission she started 13 years ago.

“I miss her greatly—I look up at that picture and think,’Kathy … where are you?'” Travis said. She joined O’Keefe at Winning The Fight in 2016. Both lost a child to drug overdoses and have shared a sisterly bond ever since. “It was shocking, but we knew we had to keep going. Kathy wouldn’t want it any other way. I promised her husband, Ben, and son, Kyle, that I wouldn’t let anything happen to WTF.”

She added, “I didn’t start this, but it’s my passion, too, and we will keep going. We will keep fighting.”

Since its inception in 2012, the local non-profit Winning The Fight has spearheaded drug education to area youth, their families, and communities near and far to ensure everyone has the necessary support and resources for those suffering from the disease of addiction. That includes people like O’Keefe and Travis standing in front of large assemblies of middle and high school kids to talk about the dangers of doing drugs. They’ve worked one-on-one with grieving parents and partnered with law enforcement and other organizations to raise awareness. For her efforts, O’Keefe received the Flower Mound Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award in 2016. 

She also attended a White House Opioids Summit in 2018.

According to the organization’s most recent statistics, they provided counsel to 290 families in 2023, of which 201 were new. They also provided 209 referrals for therapists, treatment facilities, IOP, and more. Winning The Fight’s documentary, “Just Once,” was shown to 7,489 people that year, and 20,934 people received drug education. 

They now have four documentaries that they use for educational purposes. “Not Me” continues to be shown in schools and churches, and the Flower Mound Municipal Court has used the program for many who face charges for drugs and paraphernalia.

The ongoing drug overdose epidemic kills over 100,000 people annually. In recent years, many of the talks mentioned above have centered on Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is reportedly 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It was initially developed for pain management treatment for cancer patients, anesthesia, etc., but has now made its way into the illicit drug world disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, other illegal drugs, and even candy. O’Keefe and Travis have always stressed that the people affected by drug addiction aren’t always psychologically disturbed, junkies, or criminals. They are normal people—including innocent children—from very normal families. State and federal officials echo those sentiments and are warning families that fentanyl use, overdoses, and deaths are in every suburb, HOA, gated community, and school bathroom.

“Kathy and I have spoken together at many assemblies. People called us ‘Kathy Squared’ because if she couldn’t go, I’d always be there,” Travis said. “It’s too soon to tell how border policies are impacting the amount of drugs coming across the border, but there has been a slight decline in Fentanyl overdoses due to the strong push in 2024 and the DEA and all law enforcement agencies working together to fight the battle of drugs coming over our border. That said, the DEA is still warning people about illegal online pharmacies. You think it’s Xanax or Adderall, but it’s not. If you sell or help sell drugs, you can be charged with a felony if a person dies.”

As for the future of Winning The Fight, Travis insists that they are as strong and committed as ever. 

Over the past several months, Ben O’Keefe has been added to the organization’s board of directors. He and his wife co-founded the non-profit shortly after their 18-year-old son Brett died from an accidental drug overdose. While Kathy O’Keefe quickly became the face of the organization and executive director, Ben was always involved behind the scenes and has already taken on a more prominent role.

Travis is also excited to announce the additions of Paige Furin and Haley Smithwick. Smithwick is the new part-time administrative assistant. Furin was hired as the director of programs before O’Keefe passed away. She discovered her passion and purpose in helping others overcome substance use challenges after finding sobriety in November 2018. She is heavily involved with speaking at local schools and overseeing the organization’s documentaries, sponsorships, and events. In fact, she just recently talked to almost 900 9th-graders at Marcus High School and is promoting their Winning Strides Derby on May 8. 

“It has been hard without Kathy here, and you wonder how you can grieve and still keep something like this going simultaneously,” Travis said. “But we’ve made a lot of adjustments, including building stronger relationships with the Denton County courts and keeping all the great things happening behind the scenes going. That’s what keeps me going—the fight. Every time I talk to someone—I don’t care if it’s just two people who show up—we go in thinking that we will save a life. We’ll keep fighting every single day.”

To learn more about Winning The Fight and the Winning Strides Derby fundraiser, visit wtf-winningthefight.org. 

WEB: The Winning Strides Derby fundraiser is slated for 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on May 8 at Sparrow on Main in Lewisville. Ticket prices can be found here.

The post Carrying the Torch: Winning The Fight pushes forward after founder’s passing appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

She was 68.

“She passed peacefully with her son Kyle and myself by her side,” her husband Ben said in a statement shared by the nonprofit. “She was an incredible woman, wife, and mother and I will miss her greatly. I know there were so many people that she helped that will miss her as well.”

About 15 years ago, O’Keefe’s 18-year-old son Brett died of an accidental drug overdose. Soon after, O’Keefe formed the nonprofit Winning The Fight, providing drug education, support and resources to people struggling with addiction and their families. O’Keefe received the Flower Mound Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award in 2016, and she attended a White House Opioids Summit in 2018.

“Stacy and I share in the immense grief of the passing of Kathy B. Coules O’Keefe. She is a community champion,” said local real estate agent Jay Marks. “She has saved countless lives. She has sat in hundreds of emergency rooms while a drug overdose victim is having their stomachs pumped. She has mourned with countless parents who has lost a child to drug overdose. And sadly tonight, she has passed away. She was a force of goodness. And could not be stopped in her quest to win the fight and educate people about the dangers of drug addiction. We were honored to work beside her, sponsor her projects and charity. We are better for knowing her. And we will miss her deeply.”

Winning The Fight wants to create a memorial filled with community members’ memories of O’Keefe.

“If you have photos of Kathy — whether they capture a smile, a shared laugh, or a special moment — please send them our way,” the nonprofit said in a social media post. “Your contributions will help us celebrate her incredible spirit and the impact she had on everyone around her.”

Photos can be emailed to paige@wtf-winningthefight.org or texted to 214-435-1154.

Kathy O’Keefe (1958-2024)

Kathy Beth O’Keefe, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, December 31^st 2024, surrounded by family after battling complications from liver cancer. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, and a friend to many. Born September 27^th, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois, Kathy was raised by her parents, Harry and Katherine Coules, along with her brother, Jim. Following her passion, Kathy attended and graduated from the Harrington Institute with a degree in Design. She worked as an Interior Designer in Dallas and subsequently, Los Angeles, where she met her husband, Ben. They married in 1989, and had two children, Kyle (1990) and Brett (1992).

In 1995, they moved to Flower Mound, TX, where Kathy started her own company (Kathy B.), selling women’s purses and accessories. After the loss of her son Brett to addiction in 2010, Kathy became a community resource for kids and families struggling with addiction, inspiring her to start her life’s work: ‘Winning the Fight’ (WTF) in 2011. WTF is an organization focused on helping families navigate the challenging road of addiction. As CEO and founder, Kathy worked tirelessly with WTF to help those who did not know where to turn during a difficult time and has brought hope to and provided resources for hundreds of families in Flower Mound and the greater Dallas area. Her work also included frequent visits to middle and high schools throughout Texas, where she taught children about drug awareness and the dangers of addiction. Kathy will always be remembered for the love and compassion she showed all who have crossed paths with WTF.  She fought endlessly for those in need, those she loved, and those who had so much more life to live.

Kathy was also a member of the Cross Timbers Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, she focused on teaching the community about life-saving measures to take to help to reverse drug overdoses using Naloxone.

When not helping people through WTF, Kathy spent her free time painting, creating other art, and spending time with friends. The word ‘no’ was not in her vocabulary, as she was always the organizer, host, helper, and life of the party. She was also a voracious reader, an avid traveler, and a frequent lover of live music including attending over 27 concerts with Ben in 2023.

Kathy was predeceased by her father Harry, brother Jim, and son Brett. She is survived by her mother Katherine, husband Ben, and son Kyle.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to ‘Winning the Fight’ to help continue her work supporting the families navigating addiction. Information on WFT and a link to donate can be found at wtf-winningthefight.org

The post Winning The Fight founder dies appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

“Mike Donnelly has long been known for his unwavering commitment to public service, community empowerment, and a vision for a brighter future,” Donnelly said in a news release. “As a member of the Board of Directors for WTF-Winning The Fight and Ranch Hands Rescue – Bob’s House of Hope, he brings his vast experience and passion to further the missions of these vital organizations.”

WTF-Winning The Fight raises awareness and provides resources to combat substance abuse and addiction. Ranch Hands Rescue – Bob’s House of Hope offers refuge and healing for both people and animals. Their innovative approach, blending animal-assisted therapy with mental health support, has earned them recognition for their unique and effective programs. Bob’s House of Hope is the nation’s first safe house for young adult male survivors of sex trafficking.

“I am truly honored to serve on the Boards of WTF-Winning The Fight and Ranch Hands Rescue – Bob’s House of Hope,” Donnelly said in a statement. “Kathy O’Keefe, CEO of WTF-Winning The Fight and Bob Williams, CEO of Ranch Hands Rescue – Bob’s House of Hope, together with their Board of Directors and their staff and volunteers, are doing incredible work, and I am excited to contribute to their missions. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.”

For more information on WTF-Winning The Fight and their Oct. 14 Stompin’ Stigma 5K Fun Walk, visit www.wtf-winningthefight.org.

Ranch Hands Rescue – Bob’s House of Hope will be hosting an Ignite Hope Gala on Sept. 30. All the details can be found at www.ranchhandsrescue.org.

The post Former Double Oak mayor named to nonprofit board appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

She thought she’d seen it all. But if O’Keefe is being 100% honest, her message these days has her petrified like never before.

All because of a drug that can kill an unsuspecting user, including kids, with one pill — fentanyl.

“We’ve always had a drug problem, but it’s incredibly scary now because younger age groups are getting their hands on it,” O’Keefe said. “It’s coming out in rainbow colors now, so it looks just like candy. But even if they think it’s ecstasy, they think they’re taking one drug when it’s actually something else. The reality is that 40% of confiscated drugs right now are laced with fentanyl. That means buying these drugs off the street gives you a 40% chance of dying from one pill.”

She added, “It’s a different game right now, and it’s frightening — absolutely frightening. This is coming to our community.”

The truth is — it’s already here.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, per the Drug Enforcement Agency. It was initially developed for pain management treatment for cancer patients, anesthesia, etc. but has now made its way into the illicit drug world disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, other illegal drugs, and even candy. Like other opioid analgesics, fentanyl produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression. And it kills swiftly.

State and federal officials are warning families everywhere — including in southern Denton County — that fentanyl use, overdoses, and even deaths are in every suburb, HOA, gated community, and school bathroom. The Flower Mound Police Department made five fentanyl arrests in 2022 and responded to three overdoses.

They’ve referred larger cases to the DEA, which has also found itself cracking down on more cases locally.

“We work with a ton of different agencies, and there isn’t one we know that hasn’t been affected by fentanyl,” Flower Mound Police Sgt. James Pulis said. “The cases we see in our area involve people who are putting a pill on a piece of foil, lighting it with some kind of heat source, and inhaling the vapor. But that’s just in our area. In other areas, they see users crush the pills and snort them or straight up pop a pill. Our concern is that it’s ending up in much younger hands.”

On a larger scale, Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to state agencies on September 20 directing them to ramp up state efforts to combat what is now considered a national crisis. Fentanyl is being trafficked into Texas by Mexican cartels, and related deaths reported in Texas in 2021 increased by a staggering 89% compared to 2020.

“Fentanyl’s potency and deceptiveness, combined with the federal government’s unwillingness to take border security seriously, pose a grave threat to Texans,” Abbot stated in the letter. “We must take all appropriate actions to inform Texans of this danger and prevent additional deaths. Together, we can help bring awareness to the threat posed by fentanyl and do our part to address this crisis.”

DEA officer Eduardo Chavez agreed, stating that the DEA’s tagline is: One Pill Can Kill.

“A major problem is that there’s no quality control with these pills,” he said. “The first pill off of the assembly line isn’t exactly the same as the millionth pill, so one pill could have .5 milligrams of fentanyl, and the next one could have three milligrams. This is a lethal dose. There’s no such thing as experimentation or ‘let me try this out’ with this drug.”

O’Keefe founded Winning the Fight 12 years ago after losing her son Brett to a drug overdose. While his death was unrelated to fentanyl, at least one WTF board member has lost a child to fentanyl. The current drug overdose epidemic as a whole kills more than 100,000 people annually, per the CDC. What’s more shocking is that number is an increase of 28.5% from the year before — even as public and private organizations, schools, healthcare professionals, therapists, government agencies, and police departments band together to offer education, support, and resources to individuals and families who need it most.

Winning The Fight provided counsel to 353 families and facilitated 340 referrals to therapists, treatment facilities, and more in 2021 alone. In 2014, they released a documentary film, “Not Me,” which tells the story of addiction experienced by eight local families. “Not Me” continues to be shown in schools and churches, and the Flower Mound Municipal Court uses the program for many who face charges for drugs and paraphernalia.

Winning The Fight also assists with anxiety workshops such as Just Breathe, therapeutic retreats, court programs, drug education, panel discussions, health classes, drug testing kits, recommended reading, and other support models such as AA and Smart Recovery. Their Better Safe Than Sorry program preaches the importance of locking up prescription and over-the-counter medications, keeping them out of others’ hands. WTF recently showed its latest documentary, “Just Once,” and included a panel discussion with the DEA, FMPD, and Recovery Resource.

“The schools are trying; everyone is trying. But I’m tired of the fentanyl deaths. By July this year alone, we lost four kids from the local area. And these were from families we were working with,” O’Keefe said. “A lot of parents think that it’s not going to happen to them, so they don’t attend these programs. They’ve also stopped watching the news or reading it because everything is so depressing. But that’s the only way we can get the information out. Parents need to figure out what’s happening in these programs because if they aren’t paying attention, what do we do?”

Chavez said the good news is that illicit fentanyl distribution has not invaded legit pharmacies. So if you receive a prescription for any drug through a legitimate professional and go to a reputable pharmacy, you’re getting the real thing. With that said, parents need to have difficult talks with their kids and other family members if they notice anything strange.

“When I speak to parents in this area, the conversation usually goes like this: ‘I knew something was bothering them or that something was off. But I thought it was just teenagers being teenagers, and I wasn’t willing to address the issue because I didn’t want to start another fight. I’m already fighting with my teenager about grades, sports, friends, etc., so I didn’t want to add one more thing,’” he said. “But they need to. You can’t afford to back down because the consequences are irreversible.”

In the meantime, O’Keefe said she would continue spreading the message and praying for a positive breakthrough.

The only question is if enough people are willing to listen.

“Fentanyl wasn’t always around. But now, it’s murder by poison,” she said. “It’s a scary conversation, but it’s important.”

Learn more about Winning The Fight at wtf-winningthefight.org.

The post One Pill Can Kill: Authorities warn of fentanyl dangers appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office announced late last month that 15,000 fentanyl pills and 11 weapons were seized, and 11 suspects were arrested, two of them also being charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The TCSO worked with the DEA, FMPD, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department and Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office to conduct the search warrants and make the arrests and seizures.

A FMPD spokesman declined to comment and referred questions to a DEA spokesperson, who declined to comment and said more information is expected to be released, eventually, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. Kathy O’Keefe, executive director of the local addiction support nonprofit Winning The Fight, recently discussed the issue of fentanyl in an interview with Bob Weir.

The post Flower Mound police assist with huge fentanyl, weapon bust appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

“Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.”

Kathy O’Keefe is the Executive Director of Winning the Fight (WTF), a non-profit, 501(c)(3), community-based organization in Flower Mound that provides drug education, support, and necessary resources to youth and families that suffer from the disease of addiction. WTF was started after the O’Keefe’s lost their son Brett Morgan O’Keefe to an accidental drug overdose. This past June 14 and 15, Kathy was invited to meetings with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in Arlington, Virginia. “The DEA is very concerned about the amount of people dying from Fentanyl,” Kathy said. “I was one of about 48 non-profit organizations invited. Tuesday, we each had the opportunity to tell our story and a professional video was taped. We also had the opportunity to visit the DEA Museum which was filled with great background and education.”

Kathy added, “Wednesday, we started the day with some networking and then the day began. It was interesting because we expected to listen to what they had to say. However, the opposite happened by design of the meeting. They were there to listen to what the organizations were doing, to find out where we needed assistance and if they could help in any way. We have to do everything we can to educate people on the dangers of Fentanyl.

“One of the major complaints from across the nation was education, and how difficult it is to get into the schools for education. Curriculum needs to include actual information about drugs, but after hearing from the Department of Education, it became apparent that this must happen at the school district level and even comes down to each school.

“The Fentanyl problem is only growing, and we are losing so many people to what they have determined and are prosecuting as Poisoning. Most of the drugs are laced without the knowledge of those purchasing. Some other phrases that were thrown out were ‘Chemicals of Mass Destruction’ and ‘Chemical Warfare.’ We discussed the roles that the major players have, which are China, India, Mexico, and the distribution of these synthetic drugs in the United States.”

Please find out all you can about Fentanyl and share that information with your family. One Pill Can Kill and they are! Learn more: WTF-Winning the Fight | Education, Support, & Resources

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The longtime Highland Village resident was used to hearing her baby girl’s voice every day, even after Jessica — finally clean for over a year after being in and out of rehab 10 times — decided to live on her own 35 miles away in Richardson. At a minimum, they texted. And each time, Jessica, a 2014 Marcus High School graduate, made sure that her mom knew she was OK.

“I kept calling her and calling her, but she wouldn’t answer,” Kathy said. “So I drove over there, and I was the one who found her. My daughter was a beautiful young woman, and she tried really hard to get better.

“I used to say no one in my house would ever do drugs. I never did them. I taught my kids [about the dangers]. But it happened to us.”

Jessica was another victim in the ongoing drug overdose epidemic, which kills more than 100,000 people annually per the Center for Disease Control’s most recent statistics.

What’s more shocking is that number is an increase of 28.5% from the year before — even as public and private organizations, schools, healthcare professionals, therapists, government agencies, and police departments band together to offer education, support, and resources to individuals and families who need it most.

Before her daughter’s death, Duke joined the board of directors and is now a past president for the Flower Mound-based nonprofit Winning The Fight, which champions all of the above efforts and more in and beyond Denton County.

Her dear friend Kathy O’Keefe and her husband Ben started the initiative after losing their son Brett to a similar accidental drug overdose on March 20, 2010. They even helped walk Duke through the process and emotional whirlwind of putting Jessica in rehab for the first time.

The board has grown to 12 members, many of whom faced similar challenges. The organization celebrates its 11th anniversary in May.

“I want to do anything possible to help Kathy and Winning The Fight,” Duke said. “We know we’ll never get rid of drugs, but we sure want to educate people that what happened to us can happen to anyone from any walk of life. People don’t want to talk about drugs or the reality of it. And they certainly don’t want to talk about mental health. There’s a stigma, and they hide it. They’re embarrassed.”

O’Keefe agreed, adding that the size of this growing epidemic won’t stop them from facing the problem head-on. She wants everyone to know that the people affected aren’t psychologically disturbed, junkies, or criminals. They are normal people from very normal families.

“When we lost Brett, God told me that you have to get out there and do something,” O’Keefe said. Her son overdosed three times in a 15-month period before losing his life to a combination of Heroin and Xanax. “I started at his visitation and realized quickly after talking to several other parents that our efforts were working. We help families get through this maze. Most families do not educate themselves on the destruction of addiction until it happens to them and becomes necessary.”

Winning The Fight has grown beyond O’Keefe’s wildest dreams and continues to make an impact locally. In 2020, they provided counsel to 302 families and facilitated 324 referrals to therapists, treatment facilities, and more. In 2014, they released a documentary film, called “Not Me,” which tells the story of addiction as experienced by eight local families. They now have four documentaries that they use for educational purposes. “Not Me” continues to be shown in schools and churches and the Flower Mound Municipal Court uses the program for many who face charges from drugs and paraphernalia.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Winning The Fight also assists with anxiety workshops such as Just Breathe, therapeutic retreats, court programs, drug education, panel discussions, health classes, drug testing kits, recommended reading, and other support models such as AA and Smart Recovery. Their new “Better Safe Than Sorry” program preaches the importance of locking up prescription and over-the-counter medications, keeping them out of others’ hands.

Collectively, these resources give participants access to professionals who provide hands-on guidance to overcome everything from the addiction itself to mental health issues such as anxiety, fear, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“If we step back and look at the actual problem, what we should be focusing on is mental health,” O’Keefe said. “When it comes to drug addiction, there are three categories people typically fall into. The first is mental health, such as anxiety and depression, the second is trauma, such as the loss of a grandparent or divorce. The third is genetics. My brother was an alcoholic. He died six months before Brett did, and all four of his kids struggle. When you have someone who is going through one or all three of these precursors, it’s hard.”

O’Keefe said she and her husband failed to recognize Brett’s mounting anxiety at school. He began abusing drugs because they made him feel better. The same was true for Jessica, who struggled emotionally and mentally after her father abandoned their family years earlier. She started with marijuana and Adderall before moving to Xanax and other narcotics.

“She was doing much better — living on her own and working. But at one point, she thought she had COVID, and her job wouldn’t let her come back to work. Naturally, she had to isolate, and the isolation was a lot for her,” Duke said. “It really got to her, and she started using again because of the depression.”

Those personal losses have only fueled Duke, O’Keefe, and the rest of the Winning The Fight board. They are looking to expand their message wherever possible, and their website is designed to be a hub for any information an individual or family could need.

“It’s a very busy time, but it’s a good time,” O’Keefe said. “We’re growing and trying to reach more families who need our help.”

To learn more about Winning The Fight, visit wtf-winningthefight.org.

The post Importance of addiction awareness is battle worth fighting appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

The greatest fear any family can imagine is the death of one of their children. We were not meant to outlive our kids. Eleven years ago, a young man from Flower Mound, Texas, named Brett O’Keefe succumbed to an accidental drug overdose that took his life. Soon thereafter, his mother, Kathy O’Keefe, began helping other families dealing with addiction through her nonprofit organization, Winning the Fight (WTF) – www.wtf-winningthefight.org. Winning the Fight, a 501(c)(3) organization provides drug education, support, and necessary resources to youth and families that suffer from the disease of addiction.

The following is from the WTF website: “There is a resurgence in drug addiction all over America that is coming back in a very real way. Most of the time it starts with prescription pills, but quickly leads to more extreme drugs. People that are affected by this are not psychologically disturbed, junkies or criminals, but normal kids that come from very normal families. The Center for Disease Control declared that in 2017, 72,000 people died from drug overdoses. That is one person every 7.3 minutes. Of those numbers, 49,000 were from opioids.

“Our goal is to educate. Most families do not educate themselves to the destruction of addiction until it happens to them and then it becomes necessary. They make drug use a moral issue when it is not. Our goal is to help parents realize that this can happen to normal families. This is happening in areas all over America. If no one speaks out, we cannot change the stigma and the judgment.”

In the video interview, Kathy O’Keefe, Executive Director of WTF talks about her organization and her efforts to end the scourge of drug addiction that has crippled our country. Ms. O’Keefe sent the following short bio:

“Kathy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Harrington Institute in Chicago, IL. and has worked in Sales and Marketing for 35 years. She has served many positions on the Boards of Business and Professional Women (BPW), American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and American University Women’s Association (AUWA). She has done television, newspaper and radio interviews with WBAP, Fox News, Fishbowl Radio, Cross Timbers Gazette, Dallas Morning News and the Ft. Worth Star Telegram.  Kathy received the Flower Mound, Outstanding Citizen Award of 2016.  She and her husband of 29 years, raised both their boys in Flower Mound, TX.”

The post Weir: Winning The Fight against drug addiction appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly tested all of us.  We have seen historic challenges to every aspect of our lives, but in the midst of this crisis, I am continually reminded this virus is no match for Texans!

In the midst of this nightmare, I have seen incredible fortitude and courage from Texans who are going above and beyond the needs of their own well being. I’ve seen neighbors helping neighbors and schools making sure that their students are not only continuing to learn but also continuing to receive meals. Businesses have answered the call and donated supplies to those in need even when they too are facing incredible hardships. First responders have provided tributes to our courageous doctors and nurses while also visiting children on their birthdays at home. Day in and day out, grocery store workers are tending to our food needs and trucking and delivery companies are making sure packages arrive. Educators have moved mountains to create virtual classrooms and new pathways of connection are being created daily in every industry. And we have been in awe at the beautiful blue lights encompassing area buildings in a show of support for the frontlines.  I could utilize every inch of this editorial to recognize those who are graciously uplifting others through their unwavering service, kind deeds, and encouragement.

As our gratitude grows, perhaps it’s no coincidence that Mother’s Day is upon us. In this spirit, I’d like to honor our moms who consistently rise to meet whatever situation they are confronted with. Whether that means transitioning to homeschooling their children overnight, running a business and their home, working multiple jobs to put food on the table, grasping to make ends meet, or opening their home and heart to those in need of support and love, the mothers across our communities are not just inspiring, but are the ones providing certainty during an uncertain time.  I see it first hand with my wife, Beth, who is the bedrock of our family and hero to our daughters.

Whether it’s a biological mom, adoptive, step, in-law or that reassuring woman who seemingly accepts everyone as one of her own, their strength encompasses every aspect of our world.  Without question, one day a year to recognize the infinite contributions mothers make is just not enough to justify the appreciation they are due.

Throughout history, we have learned of the many heroic actions of women who have ignited love, hope, and perservence out of a vision that comes from the eyes of a mother.  Yet, there are so many stories that remain untold, unknown, or are hardly familiar to the general population – but rest assured, where a positive difference has been made in either one life or billions of others, a mother’s love is the common thread. Every day, this is evident in Denton County.

Examples range from Winning the Fight (www.wtf-winningthefight.org) led by Kathy O’Keefe who fights to educate and help families battling the horrific reality of addiction after tragically losing her own son, to the group of moms behind Protect Texas Fragile Kids (www.txfragilekids.org) that beautifully advocates for better public policy and awareness of our state’s most medically fragile children. The visions from moms are shaping our community including when a local mom, Kimberly Smith, opened her life to countless youths struggling in unimaginable ways by founding Journey to Dream and then Kyle’s Place, a refuge for teens facing homelessness (www.journeytodream.com).

The care that comes from area moms never slows down. Mission Moms, led by Kathryn Flores, focuses year round on meeting the needs of families and loving them during challenging times by providing meals. They are actively working and seeking food donations through this current crisis to make sure families do not have the added challenge of hunger as COVID-19 threatens their health and steals their livelihoods (www.missionmoms.org) .

The love that is given from mothers is building up communities, neighborhoods, homes and most importantly children.  It is said that “what children see, shapes what they will become”.  I see no greater hope for our future, then for every child to know the love only possible from that of a mom.

As we reopen the great state of Texas, I hope that we will really take heed of the examples that the mothers in our lives and communities have set. May we all provide a helping hand when there is an opportunity; rise to meet every occasion with confidence and faith; and fiercely love anyone that crosses our path. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms across Texas – including my own wonderful mom who I am forever grateful to.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives, and I hope you will stay in touch! Please share your questions and ideas to serve our fellow Texans by calling 972.724.8477 or email tan.parker@house.texas.gov. You can also find me at www.tanparker.com.

The post Parker: Moms Across Texas appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.

Local nonprofit Winning The Fight ran the organization’s sixth annual Stompin’ Stigma 5K late last month in an effort to raise awareness to the stigma associated with mental health and addiction.

County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell delivered the invocation and Denton County Judge Andy Eads provided a proclamation declaring the day be dedicated to addiction awareness. The Liberty Christian Cross Country Team was there to show their support and give other runners some healthy competition.

Winning The Fight was started by Ben and Kathy O’Keefe after losing their 18-year-old son, Brett, to an accidental drug overdose. The organization provides drug education to the community and support and resources for families.

For more information, click here.

The post Local nonprofit holds 5K to keep Stompin’ Stigma appeared first on Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound | News.