To honor the memory of their son and to support those struggling with addiction, members of the Bilder family will hold a golf outing at Honeybrook Golf Club, 1422 Cambridge Road, on Monday, May 22. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Individual golfers and groups of four are welcome to participate.

Proceeds from the event will be used to renovate a barn at BridgeWay House, an addiction treatment center in Coatesville. Once completed, the building will be named Joey's Barn in memory of Joey Bilder.

According to his mom, Jacqueline Bilder, Joey struggled with addiction for eight years before he died in 2022 at the age of 27. "He fought the fight and was doing well until he relapsed and died of a fentanyl overdose," she said.

Despite their grief and loss, the family members want to help others by raising funds through the golf outing. "We are looking to have 96 golfers," noted Jacqueline. "People are really struggling, and this is a really good recovery house and (Joey's Barn) will serve a lot of people."

Joey's Barn will be a gathering place for residents of BridgeWay House, as well as a place to host support group meetings. "It's an empty building, but it's got good bones," Jacqueline stated. "We have to do plumbing and electrical (work) and convert it into an indoor space so the residents can meet year-round. There is no place for (the residents) to all come together. They bus them to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings, which are critical to those in recovery. They could do meetings on-site or family therapy."

Although Joey was unable to take advantage of the programs offered at BridgeWay House, the family was impressed by its services and founder, Mark Harlan. "Mark has such a unique program. A lot of people come into a recovery house, and they have no money because they are homeless or coming out of jail or coming straight from rehab," Jacqueline said.

She added the BridgeWay provides residents with transportation to and from work, doctor visits and court dates; supplies interview-appropriate clothing; and helps participants obtain a driver's license.

The family believes that Joey's Barn will be a way to keep his memory alive. "It will be his barn - his legacy," Jacqueline said. "We had some tough years with Joey in and out of rehab and recovery. He got himself into a recovery house and an apartment, and we feel blessed because we had two really good years, and we repaired our relationship and talked openly and honestly about addiction. I truly believe he is in a better place."

Jacqueline said that Joey was always looking to support others despite his own issues. "He was helping a lot of people, and that's why I'm going carry on that mission - to support anyone who needs it," Jacqueline shared. "I am standing here as someone who cares."

Those interested in playing in the golf outing will be asked to pay a fee, which includes lunch. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Jacqueline at 717-917-9010 or Jackie Garress at jgarress1968@gmail.com or 484-467-8640. Same-day registration will be accepted on the day of the event, space permitting.

Those who would like to support the Joey's Barn reconstruction project may visit http://www.gofundme.com and search for "Joey's Barn Renovation at The BridgeWay House."

More information about the BridgeWay House can be found at http://www.thebridgewayhouse.org.