Wednesday, several doctors and staff members of UAB Family Medicine will roll up their sleeves and play in the dirt. They will compete in a softball game to raise funds for charity — but the charity will be the opposing team.

Teen Challenge is a 12-month, residential faith-based program that helps older teens overcome their addictions to alcohol and drugs. The program has several facilities in Alabama, one of them located in Jones.

“The doctors at UAB Family Medicine wanted to do something fun with Teen Challenge and raise money for them because they have no government funds, they rely strictly on donations,” said UAB Family Medicine program coordinator Susan Hunter. “So we decided to raise money with a softball game.”

Hunter said several doctors actually came up with the idea — Dr. Shanker in particular really wanted to do something to reach out.

“This is just something we could do to support them,” Hunter said. “This will give [the boys in Teen Challenge] a chance to get to know the doctors at different level instead of just knowing them as their doctors.”

For several years, the doctors in residency at UAB family Medicine have conducted physicals for the boys in Teen Challenge and care for the boys when they are ill.

This fundraiser, on June 20, will raise money for Teen Challenge through ticket sales and concessions. At 7 p.m. at Bloch Park the $3 admission will go completely towards the addiction program that has a greater success rate than any other drug addiction program that is operating for full-profit.

Teen Challenge counselor Ken Schroeder said the program has a 76-86 percent success rate, while popular programs like Bradford only have a 3-12 percent success rate.

“I can only attribute the success of Teen Challenge to the Jesus factor,” Schroeder said. “This is the oldest and strongest faith-based addiction program and it’s been around for at least 50 years now.”

The program here in Jones operates as an induction facility, meaning that it is the first place young men 18 or older come in this region of Alabama. After several months they will move on to another place but it all starts here. The facility houses 28 young men through donations by individuals, churches, businesses and even the boys in the program raise money through landscaping labor.

Schroeder said he believes strongly in the program because he has seen how it can transform lives.

“I have seen where the boys have tried in the past to fill voids with drugs, only to have their life destroyed,” Schroeder said. “I’ve seen how God is able to change a persons life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”