Recovery BBQ Held in San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA (PRWEB) July 16, 2006
About 150 people had a great time at Perris Hill Park on Sunday, July 2.
They did so without any beer. Or booze.
“It went very nicely,” said Beverly Smith, director of Miracles in Recovery, a residential drug treatment program that put on this event.
“We wanted to have something for the recovering community,” she said. “That way they didn’t have to be around temptations during the holiday weekend.”
Anyone in recovery from any form of substance abuse was invited to attend the barbecue with his or her family. Some guests were clients or former clients of Miracles in Recovery, Smith said, while others were not. Many of the guests came as a group from the Yucca Valley area through Renaissance Recovery Resort, which operates a similar program in that city.
Too often, holidays are a discouraging time for a recovering alcoholic or substance abuser, Smith said, because others around them are drinking. An event free of alcohol or drugs provides them an opportunity to not miss out on the fun, yet not give into the temptations they have battled with.
The families enjoyed an afternoon meal of ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs, with potato and macaroni salad and other side dishes donated by LaSalle Medical Associates and Stater Brothers. Those with substance abuse problems also had an opportunity to share their struggles with others like them, as Miracles in Recovery hosted an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting during the barbecue.
Miracles in Recovery gave away six women’s purses as raffle prizes, and gave every child in attendance a pair of socks.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. the band Forecast closed out the event with a live rock and roll and jazz performance. Ernie B., a client of Miracles in Recovery, coordinated Forecast’s appearance.
“We had so much fun we probably will do it again every three months,” Smith said.
The group is already making plans to have its next barbecue on Sept. 9. There will be even more fun and prizes at this event, Smith said.
Miracles in Recovery offers residential treatment to men and women. It also provides counseling and support services.
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