​Myles Ahead fundraiser to raise awareness of addiction

Jenny Diebold, manager, Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill

​Sidney Myles Jones was an accomplished wrestler, who enjoyed fishing, Poi spinning and music.

But a fentanyl overdose ended the life of the 2012 Kings High School graduate in April 2015.

Now his family and friends want to honor his memory by raising money for drug and alcohol prevention during the second annual “Myles Ahead Benefit: Raising drug awareness for the future in memory of Sidney Jones.”

The event will be held Saturday, April 8, at Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill, 3187 Western Row Road in Maineville.

Jenny Diebold, manager of Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill, tells more:

Q: What is the purpose of the Myles Ahead Benefit?

A: The goal of the event is to raise awareness of the drug epidemic in our community and to raise funds for the Warren County Educational Service Center to continue spreading awareness and education on addiction and provide assistance to those addicts looking for help.

Q: How did it start?

A: Last year, the Myles Ahead event started as a conversation between Sidney's sister Ashley Jones, one of our longtime employees, and myself. I watched Ashley go through losing her brother, who was also her closest friend.

As a company, we have had employees suffer through addiction, had many lose friends, family, classmates to this epidemic. Having a personal family history of addiction myself, I wanted to do something — not just sit here in silence and watch all of these kids from our community with bright futures continue to lose their lives to this epidemic.

Ashley and her entire family were on board to not let Sidney’s death be in vain, to speak out and start this benefit to hopefully raise awareness and prevent another family from losing someone they love too soon.

We wanted to partner with a great outlet like the ESC to donate the money too, to have education available and to raise awareness as a community about something that is kept in the dark.

We all believe spreading awareness and educating people on addiction is the first step in making any kind of dent in this problem plaguing our community and country as a whole.

Q: How will the money that is raised be used?

A: The ESC will use the money to continue to help fund their many educational programs that help those suffering from addiction and also educate families and individuals on addiction and continue to spread awareness.

Q: What are some highlights of the event?

A: We will have a huge array of items for raffle and silent auction, including many handmade art pieces. T-shirts have been made specially for the event for sale. DJ Will Ave. and bands Rockstead and Haggard County have donated their time and talents.

Q: How is Sidney remembered?

A: Sidney is remembered every day by those who love him. Sidney was liked by every person who crossed his path. His family and friends will always remember his loving smile and vibrant personality. They miss him dearly, but it makes them happy to remember Sidney's life and the way he lived it, not taking a minute for granted.

Q: Why is it important to raise drug awareness?

A: Sidney is just one of so many who were taken too young by the drug epidemic. Part of the problem is the stigma attached to addiction and overdose deaths. But staying silent is part of the problem, not participating in the solution.

Addiction and drug awareness needs to be taken out of the shadows. People need to be aware addiction does not discriminate: it is all around us, and it could be anyone’s child, sister, brother, parent or friend.

Contact this contributing writer at lisa.knodel@gmail.com.


How to go

What: Myles Ahead Benefit: Raising drug awareness for the future in memory of Sidney Jones

When: Saturday, April 8; 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Where: Eli's Sports Bar and Grill, 3187 Western Row Rd, Maineville, Ohio 45039

More info: Raffles from 3 p.m. to midnight, do not need to be present to win; (513) 770-0077

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