Henry Daily Herald

McDONOUGH — Teresa Bestwick hopes an upcoming fundraiser at Southern Belle Farm will allow her to help more women who struggle with addictions.

“We are trying to complete the add-on to our second phase so we can have 16 women in the Henry County Jail who have lost their way through drug and alcohol addiction,” said Bestwick, founder and executive director at Shining Light Ministries.

The farm at 1767 Turner Church Road in McDonough will host a Low Country Boil benefit Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for Bestwick’s faith-based organization.

Shining Light Ministries features a 12-month recovery program for women with addictions to drugs or alcohol. Twenty-six women have successfully completed the 12-month program, with 91 percent of them still drug-free and sober, according to Bestwick.

Jimmy Carter, co-owner of Southern Belle Farm, has known Bestwick for several years after meeting her at Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough. He said he admires her passion for helping women overcome the “bondage” of addiction and is glad to host the inaugural fundraiser for her.

“We have gotten to know Teresa and the ministry quite well,” said Carter. “We are always looking for ways to help. So when this idea came up, it was kind of a natural thing to do.”

The cost for dinner at the fundraiser is $10. The event also will include food, a silent auction and performances by country music singer Barry Michael.

Bestwick said her goal is to raise $5,000.

“If anybody can’t come and they want to donate, they can go to our website,” she said.

For tickets, call 678-300-7947 or 678-230-3082. For more information, visit www.shininglighthouse.com.