A bright spot in the downpour Saturday morning was the deep sense of community at FDR State Park, where runners, advocates, people in recovery and families of loved ones gathered for the 12th annual Run for Recovery.
The Sept. 26 event was dedicated to celebrating recovery from substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder and mental health challenges, while raising awareness and working to reduce stigma.
The event brought together Run 4 Recovery, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Search for Change and the Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK), with sponsors helping support the organizations’ efforts to strengthen the community and provide resources to those in need.
The rain was steady, but it did little to dampen the spirit of those who gathered for the annual event. Participants arrived with umbrellas, rain jackets and ponchos before making their way to the starting area, where organizers and local leaders spoke about the importance of remembering those who have died while continuing to support those seeking help.
The morning was about more than a run. Speakers called on the community to continue raising awareness, supporting organizations that provide services and making sure people have access to treatment and other resources.
“All of us have been impacted by substance use disorder — we know family members, we know friends, we know loved ones, folks in our communities — it’s imperative that we continue to raise awareness, support the organizations that do the work on the ground, make sure that people have access to treatment, to make sure they have access to education,” Rep. Mike Lawler said. “Being here today — walking, running in their memory, in their honor, is also extremely important.”
State Sen. Pete Harckham, who said he is in recovery himself, said the morning was important not only to remember those who have been lost, but also to “save future lives.”
Harckham pointed to a decline in overdose fatalities, saying investments in treatment and support services are beginning to make a difference.
“The good news is, the fatalities from overdose are coming down,” he said, pointing to continued investments in treatment and services.
But speakers also stressed that the work is far from over, urging those gathered to continue advocating for people and families affected by addiction.
Assemblyman Matt Slater acknowledged the difficult weather while emphasizing the significance of the gathering.
“We have all really weathered storms in the past — personal storms, family storms — and today, we’re out here doing it again, literally weathering another storm,” he said. “But really to bring hope, and remember those that we’ve lost along the way.”
The remarks reflected the dual purpose of the event: remembering people whose lives were lost while giving hope to those still here.
Search for Change Chief Executive Officer Ashley Brody reminded the crowd of the saying, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Liz Talbert, the executive director of the Alliance for Safe Kids, whom Slater called one of the “warriors” of the Yorktown community, told Yorktown News that despite the rain, the turnout was what the morning and the organization’s mission were all about.
Organizers like Talbert thanked the event’s sponsors, vendors, volunteers and participants, particularly those who came out despite the rain.
Other elected officials in attendance included Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi, Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman and Councilman Sergio Esposito, who stood shoulder to shoulder in support of the event and its continued advocacy.
As runners and walkers set off through FDR State Park at 9 a.m., they carried memories of loved ones with them. Despite the rain, the turnout was a testament to the perseverance and sense of community at the heart of the event.
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