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Recovery
Walks! 2001
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Pics
 On
a picture perfect Sunday, only five days after the terrorist
attack on the United States, CCAR hosted the 2nd annual Recovery
Walks! drawing over 2000 people in support of recovery from
alcohol and drug addiction. Organizers made a difficult decision
to proceed with the walk and it turned out to provide a much-needed
time for grieving and healing. CCAR Area Coordinator Diane
Potvin wrote,
"Considering
the events of September 11th and the Walk today, (one extreme
to the other), recovering bodies to recovering lives, was almost
too much for my heart to bear. God bless America…
God bless those in and out of recovery."
Bushnell
Park in Hartford was set up using the existing Bandshell, a
tent for Registration, a tent for CCAR Information and a tent
for T-shirt and hat distribution as the magnificence of the
Capitol building commanded attention on the adjacent hillside.
A truck from Maneeley's, Inc. (an Associate Sponsor of the
walk) served coffee and pastries at no-charge to the early
arrivals. White, yellow and green helium balloons dotted the
landscape.
The
entertainment schedule, coordinated skillfully by CCAR member
Ken Aligata flowed perfectly and included Sister Deborah and
her poetry, the Teen Challenge Choir from New Haven, Devon
(the one-legged tap dancer), Amanda Halsted with a stirring
rendition of the National Anthem, Arno Groot with a powerful
Lords' Prayer solo on alto saxophone, Crossroads Choir, Selfish
Steam, Tommy Dest and the Celtic Pirates. Javier Maldonado,
age 2, cut the ribbon to start the walk. Speakers were DMHAS
Commissioner Thomas Kirk, CCAR Project Director Bob Savage,
CCAR Associate Director Phillip Valentine and CCAR Board Secretary
Felix Rivera who welcomed the crowd in Spanish.
14
entries were made in the Team Competition with many carrying
colorful banners and one carried a large American flag. Many
treatment providers brought staff and clients and cited that
the hope and power of the recovery community was an incredible
boost to morale and attitude. 27 different agencies, businesses,
organizations and individuals sponsored the event. The program
listed 55 specific acknowledgments. There were hundreds of
children enjoying the bounce house, the cotton candy, the sno-cones
and the 3 clowns. 2000 hot dogs, boxes of chips, baked goods
by the dozen, hundreds and hundreds of bottles of water, soda
by the gallon and other beverages were all donated and happily
consumed. The Recovery Walks! planning committee poured countless
hours into preparing for this event. On Sunday, more than 145
CCAR volunteers rose to the occasion led by Felix Rivera, Ron
Verderame, Ed Marrero, Chuck Berry, Al Bolin, Donna Gold, Karl
Russotto, Sandy Pelley, Catapult, Loretta Vasso, Albert Kydd,
Dave Armstrong, Brian Roy and others.
480
surveys about recovery community demographics, dynamics and
attitudes were completed that will help shape CCAR policy and
action over the next year. 338 individuals registered to become
new CCAR members. The Hartford Courant and Channel 3 covered
the event. Over $19,000 was raised in support of recovery advocacy.
CCAR extends a heartfelt "Thank you!" to all who
participated, volunteered, sponsored or otherwise made Recovery
Walks! 2001 an extraordinary event. Thank you.
Hope you are
all well and finding ways to come to some resolution about the
horrific event of last week. I know for me the opportunity to
spend a day in the sun, in Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT went a
long way to restore my positive spirit. "Great event CCAR!!!"
Lots of people. Lots of good music. Lots of good energy and support.
Denise Devlin,
NEAAR Coordinator
"YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!
FRONT PAGE OF THE CONNECTICUT SECTION! You and the members of
CCAR are not only putting a face on recovery but speaking in daylight
of the darkness of addiction." Bonnie,
Granby CT
I
thought I would be starting at the beginning of the Day but
I realized that one of the miracles of Recovery Walks! had
started the day before. When my husband (owner of Hosmer Mountain
Soda Company) agreed to do the soda for the Day I got the impression
that it was because I asked him to do it….not because
he had a burning desire to do it. I was wrong.
Just
to explain a little, John only takes Sunday off (sometimes)
from the soda company and I knew asking him to provide soda
for the Day would be an added burden to his day off. What surprised
me was that he started planning the day before…and how
he paced himself and how he made certain he got a little more
sleep than normal so that he could not only get the soda to
the event, but also be able to enjoy this important Day. I
could see that he wanted it to be a success and I know he enjoyed
it.
With
that being said, it is my impression that the Day was almost
perfect. The weather cooperated again, much to everyone's delight.
Earlier in the week, there was a hurricane off the coast of
Florida and I must admit when I learned that, I stopped checking…until
Friday….and then it was only good news…good weather
for the whole weekend.
John
and I got to the Park about 8:30 a.m. and there already was
this liveliness about the Park. People were greeting each other
with extra long hugs that day and I knew it was because of
the incident on September 11th and for the recovery at hand…both
in New York, Washington, Pittsburgh and Bushnell Park Connecticut.
It
was nice meeting spouses (significant others) of people that
I see on a regular basis. And their children. Children…there
were so many more this year than last year. Seeing the kids
walking around with cotton candy, a flag or a smiley face on
their cheek, jumping up and down in the bounce house, getting
candy from a clown or just running around, smiling, having
fun. Having fun with their parent/s and other kids. It was
great.
My
own son Ric and my granddaughter Krystal were at the walk and
walked with me a lap around the Park. That is what recovery
is all about, regaining your family back and having them with
you on important days, such as this. That alone made my day
worth millions.
I
was truly grateful that Commissioner Tom Kirk was able to give
a welcome to everyone. People truly appreciated it. I was speaking
with a state worker who didn't know if Commissioner Kirk would
be able to attend because of Connecticut's commitment to New
York City for counseling services, but he did. Once again,
he has shown the recovery community that he's truly a supporter
of ours.
The
Eleventh Step Prayer has always held a special place in my
heart (if only I could live like that) and when Phil read it,
it just seemed to fit as the events of the day were proceeding.
When John and I got married, we got married in a church that
had a minister in recovery and unbeknownst to us…he chose
to read St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer. It added something
special to the ceremony and was a wonderful lead in to the
National Anthem and the Lord's Prayer.
The
entertainment was really great this year. There were a lot
of comments about how great it was. I could see people 'bobbin
their heads' and 'tapping their foot' as the music played throughout
the event. Amanda Halsted singing the National Anthem put goose
bumps over my body and tears to my eyes.
If
that was not enough, with the saxophone being my favorite musical
instrument and hearing Arno Groot play the Lord's Prayer, I
almost passed out. The events of September 11th and the Walk
today, (one extreme to the other), recovering bodies to recovering
lives, was almost too much for my heart to bear. God bless
America…God bless those in and out of recovery.
As
I walked, there were a few gentlemen behind me who were talking
about how their life was different today. One of the gentlemen
had started recovery a number of years before his other friends
and he was relating to them how his life was now. It was interesting
hearing the difference in the language of recovery and how
they were talking with each other. When you've got it, you
want all your family and friends to get it and it was obvious
that this guy wanted his friends to stick around with him,
in recovery. It was agreed by all three that recovery was a
blessing and a shame they didn't find it sooner.
I
sat alone for a while during the afternoon, thinking about my
son and granddaughter, my brother and his wife (who were also
at the Walk and taking a video for our cable show "Positive
Faces" to give the Walk a local flavor), my husband as he
pumped out soda for those that wanted some, my dear friends from
life, and people that I had so much in common with but haven't
met yet. I just knew right down to the core of my being, that
I didn't want or need to be anywhere else in the world except
right where I was….in Bushnell Park celebrating recovery.
For me, I feel that having this walk is probably the most important
statement that people can say without saying a word and I feel
that it's important for them to have this opportunity. Some people
can't do what we do, but they can show up or support the Walk.
Diane
Potvin, CCAR Area Coordinator
Sunday
morning, on September 16, 2001, I walked into the Bushnell
Park in Hartford on a beautiful morning. I was really excited
because Recovery Walks! was finally here. I quickly went to
the registration tent and handed my pledges in.
I
looked around and noticed Melissa walking around with a clipboard.
It was a survey that she wanted everyone to fill out. "Free
hat for filling out a survey", she cried out. I noticed
people all around. They were gathering around a catering truck
having coffee and doughnuts, signing up as volunteers, registering
or just helping out, having their face painted, and introducing
themselves to other people. I already felt a hum in the air
of anticipation. There was music in the background and everyone
was flowing. A few people were attending to a few loose ends.
I
started greeting people; CCAR members, persons in recovery,
family members, friends and many I had never met before. I
noticed a bus pull up and realized that it was one of the four
buses that I had arranged from Stamford. There were about 35
persons coming down the hill from the State Capitol Building
parking lot. I quickly directed them to the registration table
to sign up. They already had their Recovery Walks! T-Shirts
on.
Then
came Casa Hostos, another group, from the street. All were
from the Hispanic Community and I approached them also to register
and pick up T-Shirts. They seemed eager to be at the Walk and
for all of them it was a first.
I
ran into a young lady who grew up in my neighborhood. She is
with the Perception Program in Willimantic. I told her that
someone she knew from the neighborhood was here and she got
so excited to see them. I pointed her out and she quickly went
running towards her. Later that afternoon driving home, I talked
with Louise about how we saw the desire in her more so than
ever before. We both think that she will make it.
I
spotted the other 3 buses on the street that splits the park.
I had been looking for them on the hill behind the Capitol
Building because I wanted to make sure that everyone went straight
to the Registration Tent. I ran in hope to catch them before
they unloaded. They were unloading when I arrived and quickly
informed the staff of what they should do. Most of the residents
had seen me from the CCAR Presentations I did at their facilities.
As I walked back across the street I felt really pleased that they had made
it to the Walk.
There
were 142 persons from the Stamford area alone. Last year there
were none that I knew of. There was another 32 from the Waterbury
area and over 130 that arrived from the New Haven area. They
all made it!
I
noticed the park swelling in numbers and people just being
in high spirits. There was a diversity of people that I noticed.
Treatment Providers, People in Recovery, Politicians, SA Counselors,
Advocates and Families just to name a few.
I
turned around and here comes Crossroads, Inc. with approximately
85 persons, the entire program from New Haven, with a big banner
in front of them coming into the park. "Wow!", I
thought, this is really getting big.
I
had my face painted and enjoyed the company of persons standing
around the table. I noticed the children playing in the bounce
house. A long line of children and adults stood for cotton
candy. This was really a great turn out.
There
were by far more children then last year. It was nice to see
the park filled with children, running, jumping in the bounce
house, holding hands with their parents, having cotton candy,
eating apples and getting their face painted. It was evident
that they were enjoying themselves, evidenced by a little one
clapping her hands to the music. Everyone seemed to be enjoying
the day.
The
entertainment was great! I liked all of it; the choirs, Selfish
Steam and Sister Deborah's poetry. The Tap dancer (I don't
think many people knew that he lost a leg to addiction) was
first-rate. I was touched by Amanda's solo performance of The
Star Spangled Banner and completely blown away by the Saxophonist
playing the Lords Prayer. The crowd expressed their delight
also.
The
walk began with the cutting of the Ceremonial ribbon and away
we went. The line of people bunched up at the start and clearly
hit the street on the other side of the hill as people were
still waiting to leave the start line. I was in front of people
from a treatment facility and they were talking about how wonderful
this was and the amount of people that were there. The line
started to thin out halfway around the park and people in their
cars started to take notice as they drove by.
I
made it once around and noticed that help was needed at the
grills where the hot dogs were being cooked and given out.
Louise and our friend grabbed some water and made their way
back up the hill for the second lap. I noticed the Tap dancer
and some CCAR members behind the grills helping out the cooks.
I
took a break and had a couple of hot dogs with chips and a
soda. Most people who walked had lined up for dogs and very
few had attempted the third leg. With the entertainment non-stop
you could feel the energy as Recovery Walks! was in full swing.
I noticed that the Registration Tent volunteers hadn't eaten
and quickly scooped up some dogs, chips and soda's and brought
them over to the tent. I was greeted with smiling faces, especially
Carlton's. "Thanks a heap," Carlton said.
I
started to reline garbage cans with Ron Verderame. We took
empty boxes and garbage to a City Truck stationed by the grill
area. Other persons were helping in that respect also.
As
3:00 came around I begin to tire out. Louise and I headed up the
hill to the parking lot and as I looked back I knew that this
walk would be remembered by many for along, long time… including
myself. Michael
Askew, CCAR Area Coordinator
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Recovery
Walks! 2000
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2001
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2002
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2003
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2004
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2005
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2006
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
Recovery
Walks! 2007
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
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