| Author | Message | ||
| KA
Intermediate Member Username: kerryann Post Number: 360 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey everybody! I have been working at Operation PAR, Inc. for the past two months now and cannot shut up about how wonderful it is. Operation PAR is a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen our communities by caring for families and individuals impacted by substance abuse and mental illness. We are very recognized in Florida and have many community supporters. I cannot tell you how many phonecalls I receive from people who are just sobbing their hearts out because they finally garnered the courage to make the right phonecall. I direct them to where they need to go/call as well as sit and listen to all of their heart-rendering stories about drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual abuse, mental health problems, etc. The reason why I am writing about this here is to inform you all that our organization is having a Red Ribbon Family Fun Fest to voice our decision to be drug-free and in memory of Enrique Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agent, who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and killed days before he was to testify against Mexican drug kingpins. Red Ribbon will be next Saturday, October 20, at North Straub Park in St. Petersburg, FL. We kick off with a 5-mile run at 8:00am which leads into a 1-mile family walk at 9:00. From 10:00am-4:00pm we have games, inflatable rides, cotton candy, popcorn, numerous performers which include a fire-eater, a pirate and a drum circle, as well as many singers and other talented individuals. We end the day with a celebrity auction (something I am really looking forward to) which includes an autographed script from Jim Belushi, numerous autographed books from various talk show hosts, sports memorabilia, as well as NEW poetry from Maya Angelou. With the exception of the race, family walk and auction, everything is free! I will be there, along with our many Operation PAR supporters and employees, families and friends, and those who are just curious. Hope to see you there! You can visit our website at www.operationpar.org or email me directly for information.(check out my profile) In the coming months we will be having many events where one can learn more information about being drug-free and about making donations. One such event is our Poetic Justice Gala which takes place on February 15/08. It features poetry and prose written by those in treatment here at Operation PAR, as well as a silent auction of drug-seized items. If you would like to learn about another cause to support, or even make a donation, please visit our website or contact me. Thanks so much! (Message edited by kerryann on October 12, 2007) | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 8107 Registered: 07-2002 |
KA--thank you for sharing this. It's wonderful vital work that you are doing. My sister's marriage was destroyed by drug abuse and it left her a single parent of a toddler 13 years ago. best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| KA
Intermediate Member Username: kerryann Post Number: 361 Registered: 10-2002 |
You're welcome, Lisa. Sorry to hear about your sister's marriage. I've heard many stories like this over the phone and in person. I do hope she's well now, along with your niece/nephew. | ||
| Fred Longworth
Advanced Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 2304 Registered: 05-2006 |
KA, What you're doing is important. I thank you for your commitment and effort. * * * * * Poets and others need to chip away at the cultural lie that you're supposed to be happy all the time, and that if don't conceal your suffering and burden-bearing under a smile you're either weak or majorly fucked up -- and, in any case, you're insensitive to the enormous smile-at-me needs of others. At this very moment in history, our society is literally obsessed with smiling. If you walk into a room with neither smile nor frown, people assume you're a bummer or an asshole and either ignore you or take jabs at you. What's a person to do in this self-indulgent "happiness obsessed" culture? Many turn to drugs . . . Fred | ||
| KA
Intermediate Member Username: kerryann Post Number: 362 Registered: 10-2002 |
You're absolutely right Fred. Some people don't turn to drugs, but adopt other addictions such as cigarettes, food, etc.. I'm addicted to food and my waistline is evidence! And thank you, BTW. |
