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More Than We Ever Imagined

One day it happens.

It doesn’t announce itself with trumpets or fireworks. There isn’t a ceremony or a certificate declaring that you’ve finally arrived. It comes unexpectedly, even though people have been telling you all along that one day it would.  Then, somewhere in the middle of an ordinary day, you realize something remarkable.

You haven’t thought about alcohol or drugs all day.

Not because you’ve been fighting the thought.

Not because you’ve been distracting yourself.

The obsession simply isn’t there.

For those who have never experienced addiction, this realization may not seem extraordinary. It isn’t supposed to. Most people don’t spend their days wondering where their next drink or drug will come from. But for those of us who once measured time by the next opportunity to use, the silence where the obsession once lived feels nothing short of miraculous.

There was a time when we couldn’t imagine making it through a single day without something. Every plan, every relationship, and every decision was eventually pulled into the gravity of our addiction. Even on our best days, somewhere in the back of our minds, we knew the time was coming when we’d need relief. That nagging voice never completely went away.

Then, one day, it did.

For some of us, the realization came when the opportunity to use was staring us squarely in the face. For others, it arrived more quietly. But however it happened, many of us at CORE remembered a promise from the Big Book:

“We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

That’s when we begin discovering that recovery offers far more than sobriety.

It gives us freedom.  Freedom to wake up without wondering how we’re going to make it through the day. Freedom to enjoy a meal, a conversation, a walk outside, or a quiet evening without needing to escape from it. Freedom from the exhausting cycle of obsession, use, remorse, and starting all over again.

Then comes gratitude.  Not the kind we express because we know we’re supposed to, but the kind that quietly transforms ordinary life. We become grateful for mornings that once seemed routine, for honest friendships, for work that matters, for laughter that isn’t chemically manufactured, and for the simple privilege of laying our heads on the pillow each night with a clear conscience.

Ordinary life becomes extraordinary, too.  The things we once overlooked suddenly matter. We discover that purpose isn’t usually found in dramatic moments but in ordinary acts of kindness.  Sometimes it is as simple as a ride to an appointment, a conversation with a newcomer, a phone call, a listening ear, or an opportunity to encourage someone who wonders if recovery is possible.

Something else changes, too.  Our attention is no longer fixed on ourselves.  Instead of asking, “What do I need today?” we begin asking, “Who needs me today?”

This may be one of the greatest miracles of recovery. Once our lives stop revolving around our own discomfort, we become free to notice the needs of others. We discover that helping people doesn’t diminish us. It enriches us.

People often measure recovery by visible milestones: holding a job, staying out of jail, paying bills on time, or avoiding another overdose. Those accomplishments are important, and we celebrate every one of them. But they are only the beginning. Recovery makes possible something much deeper – a changed heart.

If you’re just beginning your journey at CORE, your dream today may simply be to keep a steady job, stay out of trouble, or reconnect with your family. Those are worthy goals, and we fully expect you to achieve every one of them.

But don’t stop there.  Recovery has far more to offer than you can presently imagine.

There was a time when we couldn’t imagine living without alcohol or drugs.  Today, we can’t imagine going back.

That’s a miracle, one which we hope every person who walks through our doors will one day experience.

Perhaps the Big Book says it best:

“We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.  No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.  That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.  We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.  Self-seeking will slip away.  Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.  Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.  We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.  We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

May these promises become your daily experience.

The One Opponent Mike Banks Couldn’t Beat

If you’ve spent much time around our Branson campus, you’ve probably met Mike Banks. As CORE’s Director of Transportation, a 4D Recovery instructor, and manager of one of our men’s recovery houses, Mike is one of those steady, dependable people who quietly keep CORE running.

What many people don’t realize is that long before Mike came to CORE, he had already become one of the best pool players in America.

By the time he was ten years old, no one in his father’s pool hall could beat him. Before long, he and his father were playing for money. As a teenager, Mike was traveling throughout the Midwest competing in tournaments and matching up against the best players he could find. He eventually played in the U.S. Open, won major professional events, and built a reputation as one of the country’s most respected money players. In the world of high-stakes pool, his name became known far beyond Missouri.

Pool was more than a hobby. “I ate, breathed, and lived playing pool,” Mike says. Growing up in his father’s pool hall, he spent countless hours at the table while other children were playing Little League or attending football games. They say mastery requires 10,000 hours. Mike had blown through that milestone before he was a teenager.

His remarkable talent brought opportunity, but it also introduced him to a world few teenagers ever experience. Older players became his friends. Tournament weekends became normal life. Gambling, travel, late nights, alcohol, and eventually drugs all became part of the culture surrounding the game. What began as marijuana progressed to cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription painkillers, and eventually heroin.

From the outside, Mike seemed to have it all. By the age of eighteen he was traveling the country, winning tournaments, and walking into almost any pool room confident he could make money. Sometimes he carried thousands of dollars in his pocket. By twenty-three, he had hustled pool in forty-eight states.

Yet there was one opponent Mike could never defeat: addiction.

By the time Mike reached CORE at age twenty-four, he’d already spent years trying to quit. He’d completed detoxes, 28- and 60-day treatment programs, attended AA meetings, and even finished “90 meetings in 90 days” more than once. Every time he sincerely wanted to stop. Every time he found himself using again.

“I really wanted to stop,” Mike says, “I just didn’t know why I couldn’t.”

Mike first arrived at CORE in the summer of 2012. His daughter had recently been born, and his mother had taken temporary custody while Mike desperately searched for a way out of addiction. At first, all the talk about God held little interest for him. He nearly left, but everything changed during his first recovery class.

In that class Mike was introduced to a simple diagram many of our graduates know well – the cycle of addiction. In one illustration he saw his entire life: obsession, use, spree, remorse, and the relentless dissatisfaction that inevitably drove him back to the next drink or drug. For the first time, someone wasn’t simply telling him to stop. Someone was explaining why he couldn’t, and that understanding kept him at CORE.

Mike immersed himself in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and discovered that recovery is far deeper than staying sober. It wasn’t about becoming stronger than addiction, but surrendering the illusion that he could manage life on his own. Along the way, Mike also came to believe in God.

We’ve had professional athletes come through CORE over the years. What distinguished Mike wasn’t his success on the pool table. It was his willingness to invest himself in helping others and advance CORE’s mission.

He stayed with us for several years, leaving only after winning custody of his daughter. He returned to the Kansas City area, built a successful career outside of pool, found a church home, and remained sober for nearly a decade – until he stopped doing the things that had brought him recovery.

“I took back the reins on my life from God,” he says simply.

The relapse that followed became even darker than his first addiction. He found himself living in abandoned houses and trap houses, alternating between winning major pool tournaments and losing everything he had earned. The cycle he first encountered at CORE had returned with devastating force.

Finally, exhausted and broken, Mike called CORE and returned to us in January 2025. He wasn’t simply coming back to the program. Mike came back with a deeper understanding of recovery and a renewed commitment to helping others find it.

Just ask Mike what it means to manage one of our men’s recovery houses. He won’t talk about enforcing rules. “You’ve got to put people’s needs before your own,” he says, “being a good role model, because what my guys see is how they’ll want to be.”

Or ask why he teaches recovery classes and drives our clients all over southwest Missouri. Years ago, he served because that’s what the Big Book and others told him to do. Today, he sees the bigger picture. Helping others isn’t simply good for them. It’s essential to his own recovery.

“Providing for others’ needs not only helps them,” Mike says, “but I get a blessing too.”

Mike still competes at the highest levels of professional pool. He still travels. He still plays under pressure with thousands of dollars on the line. But today those tournaments are no longer his whole life. They’re part of a life grounded in faith, recovery, family, and service to others. That’s the balance Mike lost, and the balance he has found again.

Every week, whether he’s driving for CORE, teaching a recovery class, managing a house full of men, or heading off to another tournament, Mike carries this balance with him. The same man who once lived from tournament to tournament now spends his days helping others find the recovery he nearly lost.

It turns out the greatest victory of Mike Banks’ life wasn’t over an opponent across a pool table. It was the one opponent he could never defeat alone.

Oh What a Night! CORE’s 2026 Live and Silent Auctions

CORE’s annual dinner auction has always been an evening to look forward to, but this year felt dramatically different from the very beginning. From the moment guests began arriving, there was an unmistakable sense that something special was building inside our Branson auditorium. The room filled quickly, and before dinner was even served, the atmosphere was already alive with excitement and anticipation.

By the end of the evening, CORE’s 2026 Live and Silent Auctions had become the single most successful fundraising event in our organization’s history. The entire community came together to support hope, restoration, and second chances for individuals and families affected by addiction. The outpouring of generosity will greatly strengthen CORE’s recovery mission, for which we are sincerely grateful.

This tremendous turnout was made possible in large part through the support of our presenter, Ozarks Dynacom, whose family of radio stations helped spread the word throughout the Tri-Lakes area. We are also grateful to Image Works, Inc. for creating and distributing outstanding promotional materials across print, web, and digital platforms.

The event itself was supported by an incredible network of sponsors, businesses, craftsmen, and community partners who generously donated more than 100 auction items. Their willing spirit says a great deal about the compassion and generosity of the people who call the Ozarks home.

Guests were treated to an outstanding meal prepared by chefs Christos Papanikas and Adam Yorty. Roast pork, chicken, traditional sides, and desserts rounded out a menu that has become a hallmark of CORE gatherings. Throughout the evening, friends, supporters, alumni, and community leaders shared meals and conversations while celebrating the life-changing work made possible through recovery.

Behind the scenes, no one worked harder to bring the evening together than CORE HR Manager Tami McKinney. Months of preparation culminated in a detailed event plan that the Second Milers carefully reviewed beforehand to ensure the evening unfolded without a hitch. Thanks to their hard work and coordination, the entire event proceeded smoothly from beginning to end.

As guests arrived, the silent auction area immediately became a center of activity. Bidding remained lively throughout the evening for gift baskets, resort packages, handcrafted items, and countless other donations contributed by local businesses and artisans. Meanwhile, both the 50/50 raffle and the raffle for the Nighthawk Custom “President” firearm generated tremendous excitement as well.

The energy in the room only intensified once live auctioneers Duane and Kay Gerken took the stage. One item after another sparked spirited bidding contests as attendees enthusiastically competed for everything from homemade pies and cakes to unique specialty items and experiences. Yet perhaps the most memorable moment of the entire live auction came near the very end of the evening with the appearance of a single “Mystery Envelope.”

Nobody knew what was inside.

The bidding began modestly enough before rapidly escalating into a full-scale contest of curiosity, suspense, and determination. By the time the bidding finally stopped, the mysterious envelope had sold for an astonishing $900, proving once again that at a CORE auction, almost anything can happen.

During the evening, CORE CEO Cary McKee addressed the audience and reflected on what the event truly represents. He reminded everyone that while auctions and fundraisers are important, the real purpose behind the evening is helping clients reclaim their lives from addiction and discover lasting recovery.

One of the most anticipated moments of the night came during the drawing for the Nighthawk Custom “President” firearm. Entries had arrived not only from across the country, but from outside the United States as well. Anticipation filled the auditorium as Nighthawk Custom CEO Mark Stone personally stepped forward to draw the winning ticket. The winner of the firearm was Reynolds Henderson of Panama City, Florida.

The generosity shown throughout the evening will directly impact men and women seeking a new way of life and a renewed sense of purpose.

Most importantly, the evening demonstrated something profoundly encouraging: our community believes in recovery. That generosity will help change lives, restore families, and give individuals who once seemed hopeless the opportunity to find a future again.

From all of us at CORE, thank you to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, staff member, and supporter who made this unforgettable evening possible. Your generosity will continue changing lives long after the final auction item has been carried home.

CORE’s Annual Golf Tournament Comes of Age

Just a few years ago, CORE’s annual golf tournament was still finding its footing. Would enough teams sign up? Would sponsors return the following year? Could the event grow into something lasting?

What began after the pandemic as a modest fundraiser with only a handful of teams has now clearly come of age.

This year, all 144 golfer spots were filled nearly two weeks before tournament day, allowing teams to begin play simultaneously on every hole during both the morning and afternoon sessions.

Alongside our longtime supporters and corporate sponsors, this year’s tournament also featured an impressive showing from area law enforcement agencies and first responders, including the Branson Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Taney County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Branson Fire Department.

Seeing so many individuals, businesses, and public servants come together made one thing unmistakably clear: the tournament has become something larger than the game itself.

There was plenty of laughter, competition, and friendly rivalry on the course. But at its heart, the tournament represented a community-wide commitment to helping men and women break free from addiction and rebuild their lives.

The setting could not have been more beautiful. Early morning mist drifted across the fairways as golfers arrived, but by tee time the skies had cleared into a perfect Ozarks spring day. Rolling hills, sparkling water features, immaculate greens, and even a few curious woodland visitors provided a scenic backdrop for the tournament.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Kyler Patterson and the staff at Thousand Hills Golf Resort for once again hosting the event and helping make the day such a success.

We are also deeply grateful to our presenting sponsor, Ozarks Dynacom, whose support and promotion helped expand awareness of the tournament throughout the Tri-Lakes area. Special thanks as well to Image Works, Inc. for their outstanding work promoting the event both online and in print.

Golfers competed in a four person scramble for cash prizes and bragging rights across multiple flights. Contest events included longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin. S&H Farm Supply sponsored the tournament’s hole in one challenge on the demanding 15th hole. While nobody claimed the grand prize, one golfer came agonizingly close with a tee shot that stopped barely more than a foot from the cup.

This year’s tournament champions were:

Championship Flight

• James Gerleman Team

• Cooper Creek Team

• Joe Allen Team

A Flight

• Rob Vengarick Team

• John Stickman Team

• Springfield Police Department Team #2

Individual Contest Winners

• Closest to the Pin — Jody Wing

• Longest Drive — Luke Jayne

• Longest Putt — Jody Wing

The fellowship off the course matched the competition on it. Golfers enjoyed refreshments throughout the day, while Embers Cigar Lounge and One.Five Real Estate Advisors provided a cigar cart and raffle in support of CORE’s mission.

CORE CEO Cary McKee and his wife Brittany spent time greeting participants, thanking sponsors, and reconnecting with longtime supporters. CORE’s dependable Second Milers were also on hand throughout the day, helping everything on the course run smoothly from start to finish.

A delicious lunch provided by Chick-fil-A gave golfers an opportunity to relax, connect, and enjoy the spirit of the event together. More than anything else, what stood out throughout the day was the generosity and encouragement shown by everyone involved.

Most importantly, the tournament raised critical support for CORE’s residential recovery programs, helping men and women pursue a new life free from addiction. Several teams also included CORE alumni whose lives stand as powerful reminders of what recovery can accomplish.

To every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, staff member, and supporter who participated: Thank You! Your involvement made this event far more than a day on the golf course. You helped invest in changed lives, restored families, and brighter futures.

Randi Barksdale: Finding Her Way Home

When Randi Barksdale talks about her life, she doesn’t mince words. She speaks first about people and family — the influential figures during her formative years who shaped her personality, her sense of belonging, and her emotional security. She is equally direct about her addiction, freely admitting that she “learned the hard way” her life did not have to remain stuck. Best of all, she speaks with visible joy about the path that led her to recovery and health at CORE.

Randi grew up in an Oklahoma town so small that its population has barely changed in a hundred years. Her roots there run deep. She is a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, and some of her earliest memories include her great-grandmother speaking to her and her siblings in their native language. “That was the only language she knew,” Randi recalls.

Family remains central to her story. “My grandma is still alive,” she says. “My greatest joy in getting sober was seeing how happy it made her.” During the darkest years of her addiction, her grandmother once told Randi she could no longer see any light in her eyes. But last Thanksgiving, Randi being surrounded by family and sober at last, her grandmother told her the light had returned.

Randi’s addiction began in her early twenties through a relationship she believed would last forever. Her husband was himself an addict and drug dealer. He first introduced her to opioids, and later to methamphetamine. What began as experimentation escalated quickly. “It’s a dark hole,” she says. “There was no light at the end of the tunnel.” Even her love for her children, she admits, was not enough to pull her out.

After years of chaos, Randi came to Missouri hoping for change. She worked, raised children, and entered treatment more than once. But something essential was missing. “There was education,” she says. “There were assignments. But there was no recovery.” Each time she left treatment, she relapsed almost immediately.

In early 2024, Randi faced her first serious involvement with the justice system. By then, the crossroads felt familiar. She had no money, no clear plan, and nowhere to go. What she did have, for the first time, was honesty and willingness. “I was done,” she says, “and I knew I couldn’t do it on my own.”

Randi arrived at CORE in June 2024 with almost nothing. “I had no money. I’d lost everything I owned,” she says. What she encountered at CORE was something entirely new to her: the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. “As soon as I got it, I started reading. I’d never even heard of it before.” She admits she was mystified at first and leaned heavily on her housemates, bringing them questions about the Steps and how the program actually worked.

Life tested Randi early in recovery. Only weeks after arriving at CORE, she faced family medical emergencies involving a niece, and then one of her own children. In the past, such crises might have sent her headlong into relapse. This time, something was different. Surrounded by the women in her house, she stayed. “Every single woman in that house refused to leave my side,” she says. “That’s when I knew. This is where I belong.”

Randi worked her Steps daily, asking for guidance when she needed it and remaining willing even when it was uncomfortable. Slowly, the sense of stability and connection she believed was lost forever began to return. As that happened, her focus naturally shifted outward. She chaired her first AA meeting and later taught her first 4D recovery class at CORE’s Springfield center. Stepping into leadership surprised her. “I didn’t think I had those qualities,” she says. “They told me I was a leader, but I had to learn to believe it.”

That outward focus also shaped her professional path. Randi became a certified nursing assistant, a role that allowed her to combine care for others with hard-earned compassion. “I wanted to work in the medical field,” she says. “Helping people felt natural.”

Today, Randi serves as a house manager for one of CORE’s women’s residences and as the Women’s Intake Coordinator in Springfield. Often, she is the first voice someone hears when reaching out for help. “I love seeing new faces come in,” she says. “Even the ones who are struggling. I don’t give up on them. They’re still good.”

The work is demanding. Some women resist the very Steps that could change their lives. Randi understands that resistance well. “I’ve been there,” she says. “Sometimes I’m digging through the excuses, trying to find the real person underneath. But I know she’s in there.” She says her greatest satisfaction in working for CORE is helping newcomers achieve their sobriety goals.

Outside of CORE, relationships once broken are healing for Randi.  She’s made amends with her parents and siblings, and she is making heartfelt living amends to her children, several of whom call her every day. Her family closely follows her recovery journey with pride. Her grandmother proudly displays Randi’s CORE commencement plaque on her wall.

Randi gives all credit to God for her recovery. Her faith has deepened, not as an idea, but as something lived out daily. “God moved mountains for me,” she says. “He gave me life back. He made my heart beat again.”

When asked about the future, Randi does not speak about titles or positions. She talks about people. About helping women find their footing. And about CORE. “I will always be a part of CORE,” she says. “CORE saved me. It gave me life. I should have been dead. Instead, I’m here. And now I get to help other women find their way home.”

At CORE, we are so very grateful for Randi — for her courage, her honesty, and her willingness to turn suffering into service. Her story isn’t just about recovery found, but about recovery lived and shared. As she walks alongside newcomers searching for hope, Randi reminds us that the light can return, and when it does, it’s meant to be passed on.

Recovery, Not Maintenance: Why CORE Is Opioid Free

Over the past decade, the treatment of opioid addiction using methadone and buprenorphine has expanded rapidly across America. As overdose deaths surged, particularly with fentanyl saturating illicit drug supplies, policymakers have adopted a clear priority: to keep people alive. In response, treatment strategies increasingly emphasize immediate mortality reduction over longer-term recovery models.

Using opioids to treat individuals addicted to opioids, known as Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, has become a multibillion-dollar industry, funded largely by the federal government.

From the perspective of an addict, the appeal of MAT is easy to understand. Prescribed opioids prevent withdrawal, which is terrifying, and eliminate the constant fear of becoming sick. MAT feels safer than street drugs, especially when one bad batch can be fatal. Drug use sanctioned by a physician also carries a sense of legitimacy and allows life to continue without much disruption. For most, the cost of using is covered entirely by government funding.

Not everyone, however, finds this vision satisfying. There are those who want something more than chemical stability. They want to recover.

This group recognizes that drugs have destroyed their lives. They want to be done with substance use entirely. Their desire is freedom without qualification. Freedom from cognitive dulling, emotional flattening, chronic constipation, gut dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction. Freedom from living dose to dose. Freedom from managing, monitoring, or controlling substance use. Their hope is for a life in which opioids are no longer relevant, where there is no compulsion to use and no daily effort to avoid withdrawal. They are not interested in replacing one opioid with another. They want complete liberation.

In southwest Missouri, the treatment landscape is becoming increasingly crowded with MAT providers. Government funding is frequently conditioned on a favorable disposition toward these prescription opioids.

For individuals seeking freedom, there is CORE. CORE offers the evidence-based Twelve Step model recognized by medical authorities as one of the most effective approaches to achieving sustained abstinence, performing as well as or better than other established treatment models.

Because CORE is committed to an evidence-based approach to treatment, we are sometimes asked why our program is still opioid free. Our answer is simple: we are a recovery program. Our work is not limited to harm reduction, which is already well represented by programs that dispense and accommodate opioids. While harm reduction focuses on minimizing damage, recovery goes further. Recovery is about transformation and new life.

There is no freedom in continued drug dependence. Under MAT, a person’s life still revolves around opioids. Decisions are still made about dosing, timing, and access. Legal opioids become the solution to illicit ones. The delivery system may change, but the relationship with drugs does not. The obsession has not been lifted. A chemical is still required to make life tolerable.

Contrast this with CORE, where recovery is real and clients are oriented toward the life they are meant for. Our clients learn to live without any chemical mediation or crutches, making our aim fundamentally different from MAT programs. CORE offers hope grounded in the reality that people do recover, unmedicated, unmanaged, and unafraid. They are no longer chained to drugs.

CORE offers liberation, where clients learn to live happy, joyous, and free without symptom control, risk mitigation, managed dependency, or chemically assisted stability. Recovery means freedom without asterisks. It is peace that does not come from sedation, hope that does not require an opioid prescription, and joy that does not disappear when the supply runs out.

A recovered individual has no need for chemical management. He wakes each morning without a baseline drug requirement. His emotions rise and fall naturally. Joy, grief, excitement, and boredom are all felt as they come. Life is no longer planned around a substance or tethered to a prescriber. There is freedom, and with it, the real world, full of possibility.

CORE is proud to continue its tradition as a recovery program, which remains the only viable approach to attaining an emotionally mature, fully realized life. Knowing freedom ourselves, we cannot in good faith offer a program that revolves around daily opioids. We have experienced the lifting of the obsession, unmediated emotional lives, unqualified peace, and the ability to face each day without substances. Having been blessed with this miracle of recovery ourselves, we will not present anything less to clients looking for real help. Our staff knows all too well the shortcomings of being caged in chemical dependency. We will not romanticize cages in order to obtain government funding.

We recognize that individuals arrive at different points of readiness and with different needs. For some, MAT serves that purpose. We do not seek to prescribe treatment approaches for everyone. CORE exists to provide recovery to those want to live without chemical management, and we are honored to fulfill this role.

Giving Back from the Heart

Helping Bring Christmas Hope to Local Families

One of the most meaningful parts of recovery is learning to live for something greater than oneself. Addiction is a deeply self-centered existence. Recovery turns that old life outward and calls for gratitude, compassion, and service. When we interviewed CORE CEO Cary McKee for this article, he rightly noted, “The addict and alcoholic leads a selfish life in their addiction, but in recovery we finally find ourselves in a position where we’re led to give back. Our organization takes great satisfaction and joy in being able to do this.”

For the past five years, CORE has been uniquely positioned to turn the spirit of service in recovery into action, especially at Christmas. Thanks to partnerships with generous area retailers, CORE collects a steady stream of donated merchandise throughout the year: clothing, shoes, toys, sporting goods, tools, bedding, and countless useful household items. None of it is kept by CORE, our staff, or our clients. Cary said, “We’re just the conduit. Everything we collect over the course of the year goes to the community. We’ve got a heart for helping others, because that’s what real recovery is all about.”

The scale of this effort is significant. Each week, CORE’s operations team picks up donations and transports them to one of our storage facilities, where they are sorted, organized, and prepared for distribution during the holidays. Operations Manager Gary Osborn, who has coordinated this effort since its beginning, describes the undertaking as deeply personal. “Growing up, I can remember my family getting assistance from the schools. So, through our partnerships with retailers, collecting donations all year and then seeing it come to fruition for families in need, I’m helping to give back the help given to me in my younger years. I enjoy doing it, as does my crew. We get to play the role of Santa Claus.”

Once donations arrived at CORE, they were placed under the care of Branson Facilities Manager Tamara Spencer, who led teams of volunteers in sorting, inspecting, and preparing each item. “We took everything over to a storage facility,” she explained to us. “We sort it into toys, boys’ clothes, girls’ clothes, women’s clothes, men’s clothes, yard tools, household items — everything you might find at a big box store. Then, at the end of November, we loaded it into trucks and took it to people in need.” Tamara has helped coordinate the effort for four years now. For her, the joy comes from serving quietly and knowing families are being cared for. “We don’t always get to see the outcome,” she said, “but I can imagine what it must feel like for these families, and the fact that we’re able to be part of it is the hugest blessing there ever is.”

This year, CORE partnered with two community organizations: Lodge Ministries in Taneyville and the Hollister School District.

Lodge Ministries held its annual Christmas Joy celebration at the Taneyville School District. It was a community-wide outreach event that transformed the school building into what organizer Stephen Corcoran called “a Winter Wonderland Spectacular.” Thousands of lights, snow globes, decorations, and themed rooms created an unforgettable atmosphere for children and families.

Between six and seven hundred children were served at the event. “Families came in, were served a hot meal, and visited different rooms where they could choose clothing, coats, hats, toys — and at the end, we had a family room so the adults could pick something, too. Everything was free. It let them know they’re special,” said Corcoran.

Lodge Ministries volunteers worked overnight to build this amazing event. It was another reminder that generosity, when multiplied, becomes something extraordinary. In fact, the ministry received such an abundance of merchandise this year that it was able to share clothing items received from CORE with the school districts in Forsyth, Kirbyville, and Taneyville to use as they see fit.

At Hollister, the school district hosted the Holiday Blessing Room, which served 126 families and 256 students directly through the district, with even more families referred through outside agencies. In all, one out of every five children in the district received Christmas assistance.

District Social Worker Melissa Gehman and returning counselor Sandy Brown coordinated the effort, drawing volunteers from the National Honor Society, Civil Air Patrol, Tiger Academy, and Girl Scouts. Together, they helped transform the district’s Tiger Activities Center into a welcoming space where parents could choose, at no cost, what their children needed most. As Sandy said, “Helping people is what it’s all about.”

Hollister Superintendent Dr. Sean Woods described the event as a reflection of what it means to be a true community. “The purpose of this room is to support our students and our families. It’s really about a community wrapping its arms around itself,” he said. “With CORE as a phenomenal partner, and volunteers from across Hollister, everything goes back to the kids, and when we know we can help, I think we have an obligation to help.”

At CORE, we know we have been blessed beyond measure. Giving back is one of the greatest expressions of gratitude we know. Our role is simple: to gather what we’ve been entrusted with, steward it responsibly, and give it away freely. This work is more than service. It’s recovery in action.

As Cary said, “These Christmas events are just one way we’re able to help. If we can give families even a glimmer of hope, that may be the hope they need to find change or move toward a brighter future. We’re all about that, and we look forward to stretching this opportunity into even more communities in the years ahead.”

New Hollister Landmark Mural Completed at CORE Facility

In December, city leaders, CORE representatives, members of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce, and community guests gathered in the Downing Street district for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating Hollister’s newest landmark: a panoramic visual tribute to the city’s heritage and America’s 250-year anniversary. Painted across the south and west walls of The CORE Store’s furniture warehouse, the mural reflects both Hollister’s past and its ongoing story as a growing and vibrant community in the Tri-Lakes area.

The mural spans 2,000 square feet and incorporates symbolic elements that define Hollister’s identity. Created by artist Raine Clotfelter, “America’s Muralist,” the work prominently features a train recalling the White River Railway — without which there would be no Hollister. Grapes represent the city’s agricultural heritage, while the depiction of Turkey Creek serves as a reminder that Hollister was the first tourist destination in the greater Branson area. At the southwest corner, a dramatic American flag and bald eagle honor the nation’s upcoming 250-year anniversary.

The artwork already is drawing visitors to Downing Street, with many stopping to take photos in front of it and share their experience with others.

Raine also added a Scripture passage that he felt captured the spirit of the mural: II Corinthians 3:17 — “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” CORE CEO Cary McKee shared his appreciation for its inclusion, noting that it encompasses the mural’s patriotic and civic themes as well as the freedom inherent in faith and recovery.

Discussions about placing a mural on CORE’s building began several years ago through conversations between city leaders and Cary. Assistant City Administrator Denise Olmstead reflected on the timing of the project: “All the pieces presented themselves at the right time. We had the location, the partnership, and a muralist whose work truly tells the story of our community.”

Cary expressed CORE’s gratitude for the opportunity to host the artwork. “CORE is honored to have this mural on our building, and we’re committed to caring for it,” he said. “It allows us to show our support for Hollister, and for our country, while also bringing awareness to our mission.”

Olmstead added that the project was designed to be something everyone involved could take pride in: “We wanted artwork that represents the community, honors our history, and is something CORE is proud to have on their building, not just for today, but for years to come.”

City Administrator Lamar Patton shared that the collaboration reflects the strong working relationship between the City and CORE. “We’ve seen firsthand the results you all produce,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of friends who came through the program. There’s no doubt to me how good that program is.”

At CORE, we also see this work of art as an important symbol of community partnership. As Cary said, “It came together amazingly. We’re grateful to the City of Hollister and proud to have this mural on our building — celebrating our hometown, our country, and the story of this community we’re blessed to be part of.”

Cody Winingear: From Collapse to Calling

For our Christmas newsletter, we’re excited to share a wonderfully encouraging recovery story. Meet Cody Winingear!

Cody recently joined CORE as our men’s intake coordinator at the Branson Recovery Center. His wife, Karli, who has performed in Branson shows for years, also sings with the praise and worship team at CORE Church. Together with their adorable furbabies, they have called Branson home since they married three years ago. We’re thrilled to have Cody on our team!

Because Cody is new and working hard to make a good impression, he seemed a little cautious when asked to share his story for this holiday edition. We got the sense he preferred to be seen as a man of serious mind who is dedicated to helping newcomers. We reassured him we would take good care of him. So, here goes.

To be candid, Cody’s addiction was anything but merry. Alcohol had always been at the center. “Alcohol was the constant,” he says, “but there were always drugs involved at various stages.”

When they first met, Karli knew nothing about addiction or how difficult life could become if Cody used again. When he eventually fell off the wagon, “it was a big surprise for her.”

Inside, Cody had been unraveling long before anyone noticed. He was “not working steps… a sitting duck,” and he stayed busy with work and video games to outrun the restlessness, irritability, and discontent he did not want to face. “If I stayed busy, I didn’t have to pay attention to life.” He filled his days with money, vacations, and gadgets, but each distraction failed just as quickly as it arrived. 

Eventually the obsession returned in full force, and he relapsed. His addiction escalated quickly, and his world shrank to “just me and my job of avoiding people.” At home, secrecy and manipulation took over. “I was always intoxicated. By the three-month point it was constant.” He hid bottles, drank before getting home, and even provoked arguments to keep Karli away from his behavior. Eventually, she moved out. “It’s not what she bargained for,” Cody says.

His body and mind finally gave out, and he landed in the hospital. Damage had been done at home, at work, and within his family, yet he still could not see the depth of his problem. He had been to treatment centers and recovery housing before and believed another “twenty-eight day program” would fix everything. Happily, something larger had other plans for him.

What happened next can only be described as a divine setup.

A friend urged him to come to CORE’s one-year recovery program, which Cody remembers as “the last place I wanted to come to.” He checked into a rehab, but his insurance would not cover the stay. A caseworker then asked, “Have you ever thought about going to CORE?” In August 2024, Cody finally arrived to CORE, broken, exhausted, and out of solutions. Still, fate was not finished with him, not just yet.

“My first thirty days here, I was planning my exit,” he says. He wanted to go home, his thought still being that he could fix everything on the outside without changing anything on the inside. On day thirty, bags packed, he arrived at the recovery center ready to check out. A conversation with our program manager, Dallas Conaway, gave him a much needed reality check. Dallas reminded him of the consequences of leaving without working a real program. At Dallas’s suggestion, Cody wrote a list of reasons he wanted to leave. The first was “be with my wife and try to fix things.” He prayed over the list alone and with a sponsor.

Then a CORE client walked in with Chinese takeout and tossed him a fortune cookie. It read, “A distant relationship is beginning to look more promising.” The message spoke directly to Cody’s greatest fear.

That night, visiting pastor and friend of CORE, Jay Scribner, preached on finishing the race you have started and the importance of committing to one full year of true recovery. As Cody listened, everything went still. “There was a presence there,” he says, “I wasn’t supposed to go.”

After the church service, Cody told Karli he was staying at CORE. She responded with relief and her support, saying “Whatever we have to do, we will make it work.” In retrospect, that moment became the turning point of Cody’s life.

Once Cody surrendered, he threw himself into the work. “My step work, I took it seriously,” he says. He studied the Big Book, listened to speakers, and sought out the men “you could tell by their walk” had recovered. With guidance from graduates of CORE’s program, he worked the Steps thoroughly.

Resentments lifted. Shame fell away. “I could move again and breathe freely. I had mental clarity. And a sense of peace,” Cody recalls, citing a “miraculous change” happening within himself.  In fact, Cody had recovered and was freed from the obsession that had dogged him most of his life. The man who once panicked in restaurants with bars could now walk through stores that sold alcohol and feel nothing. Not fear, not craving, not pull. Only freedom.

As part of his progress, he also set about repairing his relationships with Karli, with his employer, and with his family, and he succeeded.

He also began teaching 4D recovery classes at CORE.  With this experience came a significant change in his perspective. “I was always in the mindset of I have thirty days to fix my life, or six months,” he says.  Now he knows better. “That isn’t possible, not even a year. It takes time. I’m still in this wonderful process of the transformation.”

Spiritually, Cody says everything still feels new, but in the best way. His early prayers were “fox hole prayers,” but over time he sensed a dramatic shift. “God is everything to me,” he says matter of factly. He now sees God at work in every part of his life. Scripture, worship, and prayer have become central. “Only He can fill it. He’s everything to me.”

Today, Cody’s vision for the future is full of hope. In five years, he sees a happy, healthy family where he and Karli continue to put God first in their marriage. He imagines a home where Karli can garden, where the pups can run, and where a child can grow up safe and loved.

Professionally, he sees himself “somewhere within CORE,” still working alongside Dallas. “I get a lot of joy seeing it work for others. There really is something special about living the selfless life.” He also loves being on staff, remarking “I’ve never had a job where all my coworkers were like me. That’s really awesome.”

For Cody, what began as reluctance has now become purpose. What began as survival has transformed into a calling. What began as collapse has grown into a life rebuilt, marked by willingness, honesty, spirituality, and service.

We at CORE are deeply grateful to have Cody on our staff. It’s been a joy to watch him recover and grow into a mentor who now guides others through the same journey. We’re committed to supporting his success every step of the way.

And because he’s definitely one of us, we think he will appreciate a little holiday cheer to show that recovery comes with joy, laughter, and a spirit made new.

Here’s what Cody looks like as Santa Claus!

A Christmas Message from CORE

Throughout history, there have been countless singular events. Yet none compare to the moment that unfolded one quiet night in the little town of Bethlehem. For in that moment, God became human and lived among us, and everything changed. The Lord Jesus became our horn of salvation, enabling us to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

Our Lord also taught us what it means to live abundantly. He gave humanity two commands that were simple in word yet revolutionary in practice: to love God and to love our neighbors. We often imagine these commandments exist for the benefit of others, as though God or our neighbors especially need our love. In truth, they were given for us. When we love faithfully, we align our lives with the divine pattern woven into creation itself. In doing so, we discover the secret of lasting happiness.

And so, during this Christmas season, if the news is filled with conflict or calamity, or if work or financial pressures weigh upon our peace, let us remember the spirit of Christmas and the wisdom our Lord came to share. The distractions of life may be many, but the truth remains unchanged. Our deepest joy is found not in what we gain, but in service and in how we love one another.

Christmas reminds us that love is not only felt but lived. It is shown in kindness, patience, service, and generosity toward one another. Nothing captures the heart of this truth more clearly than the Lord’s own words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

At CORE, we are continually blessed to witness Christ’s spirit of love in action.

To our supporters: your generosity restores hope and transforms lives. You make it possible for men and women to escape addiction and rebuild their futures. Your gifts are more than financial support. They are acts of compassion that ripple outward in ways both seen and unseen.

To our volunteers: your service reflects the heart of Christmas. You give your time, your energy, and your encouragement to people who desperately need the warmth of human kindness. Your quiet and faithful willingness to serve is a light that guides others toward healing.

To those still struggling with addiction: take heart. Love has not forgotten you. There is a solution, and there is a path forward. At CORE, you will find people who understand your struggle because we have lived it. We stand ready to walk with you toward freedom, hope, and a new beginning.

From all of us at CORE, may this Christmas fill your hearts with peace, joy, and the enduring love of Christ.

Merry Christmas, and God bless you!