From the Albert P. Close Foundation:
“Shining a Light on Recovery,” a free family event and candlelight vigil, takes place Saturday, September 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Shamrock Park, 39 North Hickory Avenue in Bel Air.
The event, sponsored by The Albert P. Close Foundation in partnership with Addiction Connection Resources (ACR) and the Homecoming Project, is to raise awareness about substance abuse and to remember those that we have lost to addiction.
The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. – attendees are encouraged to come out and bring their chairs and blankets and get ready for the program which will begin at 7 p.m. The playground area is available for children and attendees are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the park. Domino’s pizza will be selling pizza. Drinks will also be available. Local organizations that offer services for the prevention and treatment of drug/alcohol addiction will be set up with information for attendees.
A message of hope and recovery will be delivered by Don Mathis of Father Martin’s Ashley and the evening will conclude with the candlelight vigil at 8:00 p.m.
The Close Foundation is putting together a video presentation memory of youth who have died as a result of an addiction. Parents and/or family members may submit photos to info@closefoundation.org or post them to facebook.com/closefoundation by August 31st. Organizers ask that the person’s name and dates of birth and death be submitted with the photo. Those submitting information may also include how the person died (heroin overdose, for example).
“If we can educate, there will be less stigma, and with less stigma, there is more hope,” said Carol Frontera, president of the board of The Albert P. Close Foundation. “We hope that this event will help those who have lost someone through substance abuse and addiction find peace. The memory of our children, relatives and friends we have lost will live in our hearts forever.”
The Close Foundation was established in 2002 in memory of the late judge, Albert P. Close, who during his long and distinguished career served as an attorney and as a judge of the Circuit Court for Harford County (1967-86). He was vitally interested in the welfare and success of young people. Over the past 12 years the Close Foundation has worked to help “close the gap” between need and existing resources by raising and distributing funds to give Harford County’s troubled youth—particularly those fighting alcohol and drug abuse—hope for their futures.
The program and vigil will be held rain or shine. In case of severe inclement weather, updates will be posted to the Close Foundation’s Facebook page. For more information, visit closefoundation.org, email info@closefoundation.org or call Carol Frontera at 410-879-2237.
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