Family-friendly event to honor local recovery pioneer, Dr. Peter Leighton
BRIDGTON, MAINE (August 22, 2024) — In an effort to celebrate recovery and honor the incredible legacy of Dr. Peter Leighton–a Lakes Region native, Navy veteran, and staunch recovery advocate–Lakes Region Recovery Center (LRRC) is hosting its 4th Annual Recovery Remembrance Walk in Bridgton, Maine next month.
Before passing away in 2021 at the age of 48, Dr. Leighton dedicated his career to treating patients who struggled with addiction. The Recovery Remembrance Walk–held each year during National Recovery Month–is meant to spread Dr. Leighton’s message of hope and to celebrate the journey of those in recovery, those curious about recovery, and the families who support them.
“Dr. Leighton believed everyone should be treated with dignity and respect and that people with addiction had the right to receive treatment for their addiction without fear of judgment,” said Tracey C. Martin, Lakes Region Recovery Center Executive Director. “By coming together as a community each year, we continue his mission by letting people know they don’t have to hide in the shadows. That they’re not alone. And, there is support and services available to them.”
Scheduled to step off at 11 a.m. on September 14, 2024, the walk will begin at Crooked River Counseling, located at 87 S. High Street on the Bridgton Hospital Campus. With music and sirens blaring, walkers will carry signs while they make their way down S. High Street, past the monument, to the entrance of Pondicherry Park. Upon entering the park, walkers will take a quiet stroll of reflection to remember why they celebrate Recovery Month and what it means to them.
Walkers will then make their way back to Crooked River Counseling, where the celebration will continue with inspirational speeches from people in the recovery community. It will conclude with a purple cannon salute as a tribute to Dr. Leighton and to celebrate recovery. Other highlights of the free family-friendly event include:
- T-shirts (while supplies last)
- Face painting
- Balloon Animals
- Music
- Bounce House/Waterslide
- Food
Resources at the Event
For those currently in recovery or anyone interested in exploring sober living, several organizations in the recovery community will be available to provide information about available recovery resources. LRRC will provide doses of the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone–widely known as Narcan–as well as education on how to use it. The Frannie Peabody Center will offer free take-home HIV testing kits. Journey Magazine and Crooked River Counseling will also have resource tables.
LRRC is incredibly grateful for the local sponsors that have stepped up to support this event, including:
- Green Lawn Solutions
- Realtor Rachel Davis, Pine Tree Realty of Maine
- Crooked River Counseling
- Hancock Lumber
- Howell Laboratories
Organizers are accepting additional sponsors through the end of August.
The event is free, but LRRC does appreciate any donations, which can be made online, in person, or by mailing a check to LRRC’s location at 2 Elm Street in Bridgton.
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ABOUT LAKES REGION RECOVERY CENTER
Lakes Region Recovery Center is here to help with recovery in any form, from mental health and substance use disorder to food addiction and co-dependency. Recognizing there are multiple pathways to healing, LRRC focuses on peer-to-peer recovery support, offering access to recovery coaches, peer support, telephone recovery support, and various groups and meetings. In addition to services for those struggling with substance abuse, LRRC also offers multiple mental health programs to support those experiencing challenges such as PTSD, grief, or other similar issues. Our services are free of charge and there is no cost for membership.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly J. Poland, Poland Media Group – (401) 743-7272, kimberly@polandmediagroup.com
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