Our inaugural Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was a huge success! Police officers, city council, community members, sponsors, and folks in recovery all came out to enjoy the event and give endless thanks to our law enforcement. Police officers are often the first wake up call for an addict who is suffering from active addiction. Unfortunately, they are also unlikely to be thanked for the role they played in changing the trajectory of an addict’s life. We recognize the dedication and compassion police officers have for those with the disease of addiction; that is what this event was all about!
Officer Charles Geiger from the Edgewater Police Department and DARE Officer Jennifer Fike from the New Smyrna Beach Police Department were recognized for their outstanding service to our community. They take the time to look into an addict’s eyes and tell them it is not hopeless and talk them down from running away from the problem and encouraging them to face it instead. The winner of The Biggest Fish Contest was Cameron! She caught a fish that was over a foot long from our spring-fed lake. Congratulations, Cameron- enjoy your gift card to Chili’s! Brian Wilkerson, a recovered addict and alumni of Serenity Springs, won first place in the Closest to the Pin Contest. He was only 10 inches away from sinking his golf ball and his skills won him an Apple iPad Air 2. Congratulations, Brian and it was great to see you again! Kona Ice donated 20% of all proceeds to the event out of appreciation for our law enforcement. We are grateful and humbled by their generosity!
Guest speakers included Don Radon, Luis Delgado, and Joey Mazzo who are all recovered addicts. They shared their stories of hope, success, and the appreciation they have for police officers.
Everyone who attended went home with a tee shirt and swag bag!
Overall, this was a fantastic day full of family fun and recognizing the underappreciated police force as it applies to helping people get on track grow in sobriety.
