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Walk the Walk: 2nd Annual Recovery Celebration, Walk
- Details
- Tuesday, 03 September 2024
- Written by Amber Little
One of the most important parts of recovery, whether from family, friends, or community resources, support is something every individual in recovery needs. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in 2022, nearly 12 people died a day of drug overdoses in the state alone.
That number is attributed to the lack of community resources and support. That’s why events like Walk the Walk are important. A gathering of those in recovery and their family, the 2nd Annual Recovery Celebration and Walk is set for Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 414 Ray Street (Blissful Alchemist).
There will be a 1-mile walk, DJ, community resources, wellness breakout sessions, a dog park, a free salt room experience with Saha Happyness, free reiki sessions, food trucks, and a community art piece where participants will write their “why.”
Motivational speaker and Veteran Tony Brown will be the guest speaker and Amber Little of The Amber Little Brand will be the MC for the event.
Registration for the walk begins at 9 a.m. and the blessing of the walk will kick off the 1-mile trek around downtown at 10 a.m. The walk will lead the group through downtown and back to Blissful Alchemist for more celebratory fun and healing. Pre-registration can be done online at https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=167889&eventId=874420&autoLogin=F.
Founder of Heal Holistic Journey Inc., and organizer Serena Gunn is looking forward to this year’s event. Last year 100 people attended the walk and participated in community resources. Gunn hopes this year’s event will be bigger, with more people tapping into recovery resources. Resources that she knows are important to those in recovery.
“My addiction started with the misuse of prescription medications that I was prescribed for a back injury. One year later I was in my first rehab in 2003 and in complete denial that I had a problem. This began a vicious cycle of my addiction and my attempts to recover. My mental health spiraled throughout my addiction, and I attempted to take my life in 2014. It was the dark of that experience that motivated me to try reiki and take all the suggestions my therapist gave me,” Gunn said. “In September of 2015, I walked into my last residential treatment center. For the last 8 years, I have been a mother and community member that creates change. I know my approach to wellness is different but our community deserves options to recovery, places to have fun, and places to connect.”
Gunn, a mother of two and community advocate hasn’t let her addiction or that of those around her define her. Her recovery has inspired her.
“I participated in a walk-in Michigan my whole recovery journey, and experienced how powerful walking together in solidarity can be for a community. I was blessed to be a part of a holistic community that wanted to raise awareness around recovery and educate the community on holistic options. In the beginning, I walked to show and shout how proud I was of my personal recovery,” Gunn said. “Then 6 years ago my family lost 2 aunts to overdoses and my “why” changed. Now I walk to instill hope for family members that it is possible and the community supports them through their pain. As a family member of those in addictions, it can be just as painful for them as those in addictions. Addiction steals hope. Recovery from trauma and addictions brings hope back to individuals and communities.”
There will be several community resource vendors on hand including True Care DPC Clinic who will be providing free medical exams and recommendations, along with naloxone training and free safe med boxes. Community resources are still needed and tables are available.
Those interested can reach out to Serena Gunn at admin@healholisticjourney.org. Sponsoring this year’s event is Life Net Services, Blissful Alchemists, Compassionate Change, Marius Maximus Foundation, Freebird Communications, Drip Bar, Triangle Rock, Ontrack Recovery and Wellness Center, Healing Therapeutics Physical Therapy PLLC, Camy Kennedy Coaching, Sunshine Beauty and Bliss, and Empowered Lotus, LLC.
For more information about the event and Heal Holistic Journey Inc, follow them on social media at https://www.facebook.com/events/1030006958559030 and https://www.facebook.com/Heal.Holistic.Journey.
Gunn who is a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, takes a holistic approach to recovery, healing the mind, body, and spirit. Heal Holistic Journey Inc. is placing itself as a one-of-a-kind, whole-body recovery resource.
“This is a part of our Recovery Month Celebration and our Community Collective ‘Fun-Covery.’ At Heal Holistic we truly believe that recovery can be fun and healing at the same time. Follow us on social media for weekly updates on sober and wellness meetups. Heal will have Wednesday Wellness Hour with Heal Holistic at 7:15 p.m. at Blissful Alchemists. Free meditations, holistic support groups, and military support groups. These will be groups run by people with lived experience,” Gunn explained.
Recovery is hard enough; community support is essential to individuals not only choosing recovery but also staying sober. It is truly a community effort.
“Our community can heal together. So often when a person is struggling with a traumatic experience, they can feel alone even in a room filled with people. But when you are surrounded by people who know how you feel because they went through the same stuff you feel connected. You don’t feel alone.”
— Serena Gunn
