McDowell News
By MIKE CONLEY nconley@mcdowellnews.com
Despite the rainy weather, approximately 1,000 people came to downtown Marion Saturday, May 19 to celebrate recovery and show there is a way to overcome addiction.
That evening, the 2018 Blue Ridge Recovery Rally took place on Main Street. This event is designed to comfort and encourage people who are suffering from addiction and celebrate the victories of those who have overcome their struggles.
“It was a great rally,” said the Rev. Danny Hampton, executive director of Freedom Life. “We had an enormous amount of energy.”
Hampton added the approximately 1,000 people who came out proved to be an “absolutely incredible” turnout considering the rainy weather.
“It was raining everywhere but Main Street,” he added.
The second Recovery Rally covered two blocks of Main Street from Henderson to Fort. Approximately 50 organizations, agencies and groups had booths set up for the event.
The rally featured messages of hope and encouragement from Mayor Steve Little, Sheriff Dudley Greene, District Attorney Ted Bell and Holly Jones with the N.C. Department of Justice, state Attorney General’s office.
One of the highlights of the 2018 rally was the Recovery Walk and the Recovery 5K.
Like in 2017, participants in the walk and 5K for this year had special reasons for doing these events. The participants carried signs stating they were walking in honor of sobriety, helping others with addiction, preventing child abuse and other reasons.
Hampton said around 50 participated in the 5K but was not sure how many were in the Recovery Walk.
Special awards were presented at the rally. This is another way to celebrate those who have overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Jacqueline Fox, who works at McDowell Mission Ministries, and Juanita Jenkins, who gives peer support, were honored with the Recovery Champion Award. This is presented to recognize a person who is achieving recovery from addiction.
Vanessa Brumfield of Vaya Health, counselor Jerry Wease and Art Reagle (who is with the Center for Intercultural Training and cooks the barbecue for the rally) were presented with the Recovery Ally Award. This award goes to a person who assists others in their recovery efforts.
Two Recovery Ally Awards were given to two local agencies: the Friendship Home for Women and Children (a part of McDowell Mission Ministries) and Freedom Life.
The event had two stages of entertainment. Some of the musicians were True Grass Bluegrass, the Mug Band and popular singers Greg Conley and Ric Luther. In addition, a band comprised of teachers from East Middle School and McDowell High called Weapons of Mass Instruction played to the crowd.
The rally had free barbecue, drinks and T-shirts.
The greatest part of this event has nothing to do with free food, live music or a foot race.
“This biggest thing was our community conversation about recovery,” said Hampton.
He added the Blue Ridge Recovery Rally is all about addressing the problem of addiction in our community through a public and positive manner. The rally is intended to encourage others who are suffering from addiction to find a way out and celebrate the achievements of those who have done so.
The community sponsors for the 2018 Blue Ridge Recovery Rally are: Mission Hospital McDowell, Vaya Health, Freedom Life, the McDowell County Health Coalition, McDowell Mission Ministries, Columbia Forest Products, Carolinas HealthCare System – Blue Ridge, #Recovery NCSC, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, US Cellular, RHA Health Services, McDowell Technical Community College, NAMI: National Alliance for Mental Illness, Glenwood Baptist Church, CareNet Counseling, 828 Hybrid, Ingles, Marion Police Department, CIT (Center for Intercultural Training), A Caring Alternative LLC, First Citizens Bank, Grant Construction, Food Lion, The McDowell News, Pepsi, Celebrate Recovery, Lowe’s and the McDowell Chamber of Commerce.