HUNTINGTON, NY – On a warm sunny Saturday in September, the Town of Huntington Opioid and Addiction Task Force hosted its annual Wellness Recovery Walk. Taking place at Huntington’s Heckscher Park, the community walk commemorated National Recovery Month.
Remarks from local officials, community advocates, and honored guests centered around artist Susan Buroker’s Hope and Healing Phoenix Sculpture. Purple ribbons adorned the sculpture and were pulled during a touching ceremony by mothers who lost their child to addiction. A sense of hope, healing, and connection among the Huntington community was palpable as each ribbon was pulled.
Following the ceremony, the walk was led by parents of loved ones and Task Force members, circling Heckscher Park before returning for music, storytelling, resource sharing, food, drink, activities, and above all, community support.
Among the most moving moments at the event included remarks from LICADD Executive Director, Steve Chassman, who celebrates 19 years of drug and alcohol recovery. Steve’s words of inspiration rang out through Heckscher Park, crying out “The disease of substance use disorder, although has no cure, has a solution – a day at a time”. Crediting Old First Church with the first steps toward his recovery, and gratitude for the Suffolk County Police Department and first responders for their continuous life saving efforts by revival through Naxolone, he shared gratitude for the collective ‘we’ among the community to help each other get better one day at a time, highlighting the importance of neighbors coming together to seek help and support.
The event culminated with a Recovery Countdown, with the community coming together to celebrate our neighbors in recovery all the way from 40 years to their very first day of sobriety.
If you or are loved one are dealing with addiction, substance abuse or mental health issues, HELP IS AVAILABLE. Please contact the Town of Huntington Drug & Alcohol Counseling Center at (631) 271-3591. The Town of Huntington Opioid & Addiction Task Force also features a TREATMENT REFERRAL LIST on their website.
Photography by Megan and Michelle Wright. Live Videography by June Margolin. Reel Videography and Editing by Megan. Copyright 2025 – All rights reserved.
