Our 5th Annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil took place on Thursday, September 2, our rain date. By making the switch, we substituted an ideal evening for the stormy, wet prior day. The feedback from our Vigil was extremely positive, and I need to thank the following Team Orange members for going “above and beyond” to make our event a success: Amanda (Sacred Heart U.), Bob, Charlene, Chris, Cyra, Elizabeth (NCHS), Jack (NCHS), Jacqueline, Jenny, and Lance.
For those interested in seeing some snapshots of the evening, just go to these links for select photos and all photos.
I’m grateful we had between 250-300 people at the Vigil, despite the changed date and weather uncertainty. Our speakers were outstanding and fearless, starting with Jack Neuhaus (NCHS ’12). Next came Devan Markiewicz, who talked about her special individual relationships with both her dad and her mom.
Following an incredible rendition of “Holy Spirit” by the Pivot Ministries Choir, Daryl McGraw spoke about his personal journey of trauma, addiction and recovery which started on Stamford’s West Side. Between Daryl’s nonprofit FormerlyInc.org and his upcoming TED Talk in Hartford, it’s clear we’ll be hearing more from Daryl. The evening was capped off with a candlelight vigil–led by local clergy including Pastor Derrick Fallon–and our Community Pledge assisted by NCHS Senior Sydney Haydu.
As I write this, both our Hope & Remembrance Wall and our Resource Wall remain standing at our event site, 6 South Avenue in downtown New Canaan. Even after our banners are removed for another year, resources continue to be available in our community (see link here). Thanks to all who made this event special…for the 5th time!