Sheppard works with Operation UNITE to hold a number of basketball camps throughout eastern Kentucky. On June 30, he was at an elementary school in London. On July 1, he called in at Hazard. A few more stops are planned this month, and the organizers could use printing services to advertise the yearly camps at the end of each school year.
Hundreds of children attended the camp in London, which took place at Bush Elementary School. Called ‘Shoot Hoops, Not Drugs’, combined basketball training sessions with lessons about avoiding drug use and abuse.
Representative Hal Rogers paid a visit to the camp at Bush Elementary. He told WYMT that kids at the age are easily influenced by the behavior of their friends. One of the goals of the camp is to help kids to think on their own and make the best choices for themselves.
The camp also featured a segment for parents. While the students played ball, parents spent time in the library, learning how to protect their kids from the dangers of drugs.
Jeff Sheppard stressed the importance of the camps, saying:
"It's just important that we keep fighting. We never give up."