News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, Jason Beatty, owner of Freedom Recovery Center, left, Madeleine McConnell, Sunrise Treatment and Recovery Centre CEO, middle, and Larry LaCross, CEO of Catholic Human Services, right, are seen grilling burgers for the Beach Bound Recovery event at Starlite Beach.

ALPENA — On Friday, the Beach Bound Recovery event at Starlite Beach offered community members in recovery an opportunity to have fun and connect with others.

Sunrise Treatment and Recovery Centre, in partnership with Catholic Human Services, Freedom Recovery Center, and Reborn Rescue, hosted Beach Bound Recovery at Starlite Beach, offering attendees opportunities to connect and build friendships in a sober, safe space.

“It’s a really good way to bring everyone together who are in recovery to mingle and socialize in a safe space with others who are recovering,” said Shannon Vivero, founder and CEO of Reborn Rescue.

Vivero also said that Beach Bound Recovery was a “great opportunity for anyone in recovery to meet someone, to connect, and to maybe form a friendship.”

Vivero said that Beach Bound Recovery is part of their ongoing partnership with Sunrise Treatment and Recovery Centre, Catholic Human Services, and Freedom Recovery Center to provide family-friendly, sober events for the community.

Sunrise Treatment and Recovery Centre CEO Madeleine McConnell said that the event was an opportunity to recognize Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday and National Recovery Month in September, while also creating more “recovery capital” in the community.

“It’s our effort, for all of our treatment agencies, to create more recovery, supportive activities and connection opportunities in the community so that people can connect with others and have safe, healthy, sober spaces to connect,” McConnell said. “One of the solutions, and a huge part of recovery, is increasing the recovery capital in our communities, which includes events like this, where people can come, play games, have some food, connect, and be sober.”

Retired Judge Thomas LaCross attended the event to support those in recovery but also in memory of Judge Theodore (Ted) Johnson.

“I’m here, certainly for myself and for Ted, in the spirit of Ted, and the passion we both have for the individuals who embark on recovery,” LaCross said. “I think that’s really important to know that what they’ve embarked on … is a very, very good thing.”

He added that it is also a “very, very hard thing … and they need all the prayers and support of the whole community.”

LaCross said the community should continue to support and uplift individuals recovering from addiction.

“They need to be taken care of,” LaCross said. “They’re not to be segregated from us.”

LaCross said he is proud of the community’s ability to support those who are in recovery and provide events like Beach Bound Recoveryt.

“A very, very good community takes care of its own and its vulnerable individuals — people who have addictions to drugs or alcohol or eating or anything else,” LaCross said. “We just take care of our community and we’re proud to do that.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.