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‘I HAVE WILL’ offers addiction support and honors Spring Grove native

A woman from York County created a website to help people dealing with addiction. The website, IHAVEWILL.COM is named after Brandy O’Dell’s brother ...

A woman from York County created a website to help people dealing with addiction. The website, IHAVEWILL.COM is named after Brandy O’Dell’s brother William. William grew up in Spring Grove and graduated from York County High School.

William
"He played soccer, lacrosse, baseball, he loved to hike, fish rock climb, bicycling, he just loved everything," said William's mom, Jalinda Leathery.

Now all that she has left is memories. "This is my memorial in memory of my son. This is my son, this is now what I have," said Leathery as she pointed to William's urn.

William started abusing pain killers in high school. That addiction quickly turned him to heroin. At 22, William died from a heroin overdose.

"It was the worst day of my life. No parent should ever have to experience this," said Leathery.

Website
Despite living in California, Brandy O'Dell was always close to her brother.

"They always had a very special bond. Kind of like she was his second momma," said Leathery.

"After his death I started looking at different websites, and I see all of these kids reaching out for help and they just don't where to go," said William's sister, Brandy O'Dell.

That's why she created the website, which provides resources and support for people facing addiction or any kind of life struggle. Brandy is working to get funding so she can expand the website and offer more resources. She would also like to have a database where people can search to find Narcan. The life-saving drug can stop people from overdosing on Opioids. It is available as a prescription in some states. She is also working to create an app.

"Hopefully the app should take about 8- 10 weeks once we move forward with it, so I expect it to happen pretty quickly once the funding is all there to make it happen," said Brandy.

"We want to be able to help people find the resources that they need, help them understand what is going on out there, and there is hope," said Leathery.

Click here to view the website.

Fundraiser
Leathery is holding a fundraiser this weekend in memory of William and to raise awareness of substance abuse:

1st Annual I Have Will Poker Run In Memory Of William Wentz Saturday, October 4th 2014

Starting Location: Sherwood Inn, 305 North Main Street York New Salem, PA 17371

Starting Time: 11:00am

Ending Location: Goofy's Eatery and Spirits 5965 York Road Spring Grove, PA 17362

Admission: $25/person or $35/Couples

(Online Registration is also available) for more information click here

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