Fundraiser is a rally for recovery
January 13, 2012 8:36PM
Cold Blooded Creatures' Bubba of Orland Park with Deshown of Joliet on his back. | Submitted photos
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Updated: February 16, 2012 8:01AM
JOLIET — Area residents had the opportunity to “Join the Voices for Recovery” with communities around the country in celebrating happy and healthy individuals in long-term recovery from addiction.
On Sept. 17, Joliet’s annual Rally Round Recovery sponsored by the Southwest Coalition for Substance Abuse Issues was held at Bicentennial Park.
Actor, comedian and area resident Tommy Connolly marked his own journey to recovery as he stepped up to the microphone to emcee the event. On hand were state and local officials and guest speakers.
There were musicians and entertainment, including Jim Nesci and the Cold-Blooded Creatures. A health resource fair included representatives from area health and substance abuse treatment providers. The free event included food, soft drinks and raffle gifts.
For Connolly, who traveled from homeless to Hollywood and a string of recent performances with big-name Hollywood actors, working at the rally was “my way of saying ‘thanks’ to the people who helped me and to God who saved me. I want people to know that their addiction problem is not unique. I want them to know that recover is possible.”
Recovery month has been celebrated nationally for 22 years, providing a focus on recovery, honoring recovery serving providers and encouraging citizens to take action to expand and improve the availability of effective services.
The Southwest Coalition is a group of professional substance abuse prevention and treatment providers in the Chicago area who collaborate to meet community needs and advocate for public policy with events, forums and median campaigns.
For information visit www.steppingstonestreatment.com/page 18.html or call Robert Snipes, president of the Southwest Coalition, at 815-744-4555, ext. 111.
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