SCRANTON, Pa. — September is National Recovery Month, a time to promote and support addiction recovery.
Frank Bolock, director of the Recovery Bank, an addiction support group in Scranton, started the Recovery Walk alongside colleagues in 2019.
Bolock says it has grown every year, "There's so much talk about the power of addiction, and rightly so, and not enough talk about the hope and the power of recovery, and that's what we're here about today."
The 750 people in attendance could enjoy food, live music, a bouncy house for the children and learn about services for individuals and their families going through addiction recovery.
Emma Stanseski is here with her family in support of her mother, who is two years sober, "I think it's great that she has overcome what she's been through, and she's finally able to celebrate with other people who are doing the exact same thing.>
"So it is my first year doing the recovery walk because i haven't been able to do it all the other years because I was not around," said Jessica Mcgowan, Taylor Borough.
And those who couldn't be here today are honored by the loved ones that come out in their memory.
Debbie Colleran is here with a friend to honor her grandson, who died unexpectedly of a fentanyl overdose last year when he had just hit a recovery milestone of three years, "And we're here to fight for the rest. Hope we can save somebody else's life," she said
Attendees say they were shocked and happy to see such a large community of people supporting others in recovery and offering services to help make the process easier.
"And how connected it actually is, right, so community, unity, recovery, and God is all like huge aspects of my life right now, and I think kind of the pillars for you know what we do here. It's love," said Shadrach Briscoe, volunteer.
The Recovery Walk & Celebration is set to be at Nay Aug Park again next year.