Dear Editor:
On behalf of the New Canaan Parent Support Group and New Canaan Community Foundation, I’d like to thank all those involved with making our 3rd Annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil a success.
This event had three goals: 1) to honor those who died too soon, as well as those who have struggled and are now in recovery; and 2) to openly discuss addiction and pathways to recovery; and 3) learn how we all can stand united to help others to heal.
First, I would like to specifically thank the New Canaan Community Foundation, which has targeted behavioral health including substance misuse as an important community issue.
Secondly, I want to thank Team Orange, our hard-working Event Committee, our MC John Hamilton and Speakers Jess Michelotti, Mike Holland, Heather Sinclair, Erika Long, and Clergy leaders Eric Fjeldal and Derrick Fallon.
In addition, a special thank you to the Community Sponsors—Caron Treatment Centers, Communities4Action, Community Mindfulness Project, Exchange Club of New Canaan, Karl Chevrolet, Kids in Crisis, Laurel House, Liberation Programs, Lighthouse Recovery 365, Mountainside Treatment Center, New Canaan CARES, New Canaan Coalition, New Canaan YMCA, Newport Academy, Ram Council, Rotary Club of New Canaan, Silver Hill Hospital, St. Mark’s Outreach Commission, Young Women’s League of New Canaan—the New Canaan Clergy Association, and the Town of New Canaan, including: Kevin Moynihan, Tom Stadler, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, Tiger Mann, Mose Saccary, and Steve Benko.
Finally, I want to thank Tucker Murphy and Laura Budd of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce; Megan Ferrell of St. Mark’s Church; Steve Curtin of Northeast Tent Productions; Doug Pippitt of New Canaan Florist; Christine Simmons of Simmons Portraiture; NCHS SLOBs organization; NCHS Sophomore Sydney Haydu for leading us in the pledge; NCHS Film Student Ethan Harris; Arnold Karp of Karp Associates; and Musicians Scott Troyer, Katie Nelson, Ben Dean and Robert Vann. I apologize if I missed someone!
Sincerely,
Paul Reinhardt, Founder, New Canaan Parent Support Group