Special to IFN
The 8th annual Iredell Walk for Recovery at the South Iredell High School’s Performing Arts Center drew an overflow crowd on Saturday to enjoy three hours of free family activities, food, music, prize and T-shirt giveaways, and youth performances as part of a celebration of National Recovery Month.
Three moving speakers shared their stories of addiction and pain before achieving the gift of continuing recovery and a new life of possibility.
The Lake Norman High School Show Choir, The TRILLVILLE STAPPAZ and the U.N.I.Q.U.E. Girls Club Praise Dancers, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont dance troupe entertained the crowd with their songs and dancing. DJ William Reid kept the fun going between performances.
Members of the SIHS Marine Corps JROTC, Scout Troop 377 and leaders and parents, and the SIHS girls basketball team all volunteered their time and efforts. They provided enormous help to everyone, from carrying tables and materials booths, serving food and water bottles, taking photos at the Photo Booth, handing out stamp cards and T-shirts, assisting with the recovery art project, and helping with breakdown and cleanup.
SPONSORS
“Our deep gratitude goes to our kind and generous sponsors who made this year’s event possible,” organizers said in a news release.
♦ Platinum Sponsors: RMS, Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell, Foundation of Hope Ministries, ICGH-Statesville, Iredell-Statesville Schools, NAMI, Partners Iredell Community Collaborative, Piedmont Healthcare, PQA, and Southern Family Medicine.
♦ Gold Sponsors: CareSource, Fifth Street Ministries, Food Lion, and Iredell Free News.
♦ Silver Sponsors: Duke Health – Lake Norman, Mitchell Community College, Mooresville Graded School District, and Restoration Road Ministries.
♦ Bronze Sponsors: Children’s Hope Alliance, Foundry House, Iredell Health System, Sawyer Insurance, and Turning Point.
Representatives of 42 service providers and organizations attended the event and shared information, swag, and entertaining activities for kids.
Niagara Water for donated a pallet of water and the The Sign Shop provided discounted banner costs. The Town of Troutman and Iredell Free News also provided marketing assistance. The Statesville Police Department’s Chan Austin kept the hot dogs going on the grill and Restoration Road Ministry provided popcorn and snow cones.
The Troutman Police Department, the Statesville Police Department, Troutman Fire and Rescue, and Iredell EMS all provided vehicles for the touch-a-truck area, and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office brought its drug education trailer, K9 Tito, and the “intoxication googles” and bike cart demonstration.
“Many thanks to these wonderful law enforcement and first responders for their time and for their service to our community every day,” organizers said.
2026 WALK FOR RECOVERY
Plans are already underway for the 2026 Iredell Walk for Recovery, set for September 19, 2026, at the South Iredell Performing Arts Center from 3 to 6 p.m.
ABOUT NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH
Each September, SAMHSA sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental health, trauma, and substance use disorders and to celebrate the individuals living in recovery. Now in its 37th year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
Each September, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. The observance will work to highlight inspiring stories that help thousands of people from all walks of life find the path to hope, health, and wellness.
24-HOUR HELP LINES
♦ Hope for NC Helpline – 1-855-587-3463
♦ Partners – 1-888-235-HOPE (4673)
♦ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial or text 988
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