Looking back at the 10th Annual Vigil

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the New Canaan Parent Support Group held its 10^th Annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil in downtown New Canaan. Sadly, we had to postpone the event from Tuesday; this dashed our previous hopes for an all-out attendance record but not our optimism for a great event.

Despite the rescheduling, a mid-afternoon shower, and threatening skies later in the evening, 500 people attended our event. I was elated. Like previous years, the Vigil started off with the 6-7pm Music Hour. Returning for a second year was the amazing Musical Intervention recovery band.  Our Hope & Remembrance and Resource Walls were again on display, hanging adjacent to New Canaan Dunkin’. It was touching to observe the activity around the banners, as many contributed tributes and attached photographs in remembrance, while others learned about all the local resources. Some scanned our QR Code on the wall, to get access to our Digital Resource Wall. (CLICK HERE for the wall, HERE for our listing of local IOPs, and HERE for our list of support meetings in New Canaan.)

During our 7pm hour. I reminded everyone that the Vigil theme color of orange has important meanings—besides being my son Evan’s favorite color. Orange represents optimism, empathy, and connection, making it perfect for the goal of healing brains and saving lives. Kera Townshend McRedmond followed me, welcoming everyone and declaring how grateful she was for all the support by family, friends and the recovery community during the 9 years since she was a featured speaker at the very first Vigil. Then John Hamilton, Emcee, introduced the amazing recovery program for the evening, specifically:

• Recovery songwriter Ned Thunem
• Recovery storyteller #1 Mike Keller
• Recovery songwriter Dave Hart
• Recovery storyteller #2 Maggie Buchanan
• Parent Kim Hyde
• Recovery storyteller #3 Andrew Hyde

The evening ended with the traditional candle lighting ceremony led by Pastor Martha Epstein and Minister Maryanne Baker, the Community Pledge, and the Sing-along of “Lean On Me”, led by Musical Intervention’s Adam Christoferson and Jeremiah Brown.

I met many people at the Vigil and was happy with all the people who were first-time attendees, including Nancy Navaretta, the State Commissioner for Mental Health and Addiction Services. I was also more than honored to chat with the many 10-year attendees, those who attended the Vigil for the 10^th time. Included in this list are Tom, Laney, Steve, Kim, John and Nick.

On my journey of directing energy towards a cause that I hope can impact and save lives, I’ve met many incredible people along the way. The favorable feedback I receive fuels me, and makes me feel that NCPSG’s vision, towards a goal which is bigger than all of us, is important: “To imagine a community of people with understanding about addiction and recovery, who proactively reach out with empathy and kindness to those who are struggling.” I hope you agree.

For more on the 10^th Annual New Canaan Vigil, read the comprehensive article in the New Canaan Sentinel HERE. For a well-written article about NCPSG written ahead of the Vigil, click HERE, and for our Thank You letter to all who helped us with the Vigil, click HERE.