Celebrating recovery

Photo: Castanet Staff - File photo

A celebration of strength and determination will be held at Polson Park later this month.

The fourth annual Recovery Day Okanagan event will be held on Sept. 24 from noon to 4 p.m.

The first annual Recovery Day in Canada took place in 2012 in Vancouver and more than 1,500 people attended.

More than 300 people attended the first annual Recovery Day Okanagan in Kelowna in 2013 and this year, 30 cities are celebrating Recovery Day across Canada.

Lisa Anderson, with Vernon's Upper Room Mission, said the annual event aims to promote awareness, education and pride in recovery.

“Recovery Day Okanagan will provide a venue to break down the stigmas of silence and to create an environment of celebration. This year will be Vernon’s second year hosting the event. We have a multitude of vendors with recovery information, including local support groups such as John Howard Society, Vernon Treatment Center and Upper Room Mission,” said Anderson.

The documentary The Anonymous People will be screened during the event and looks at the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

“This film shines a light on the personal and societal value of recovery and features moving stories of people who are public about what their lives are like now that they are no longer using alcohol or other drugs. We invite and encourage the community to this special screening of The Anonymous People,” said Anderson.

There will be two showings: the first will take place at the Upper Room Mission on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. The second showing is at Trinity United Church on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. This is a free event, but donations are welcome.

Recovery Day will feature testimonials, a barbecue by donation, a recovery march around Polson Park and live music by Vernon's own Feet First.