Huntington and Northport Village go purple for Recovery Month, unveil Hope and Healing installation
The Night of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil, co-hosted by the Northport/East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force and TOH Opioid and Addiction Task Force, will take place on Saturday, August 31 in Northport Village Park, beginning at 7pm.
We rely on your support to share good news!
Become a supporting member today.
This weekend marks the beginning of National Recovery Month, when the Town of Huntington (TOH) and Northport Village go purple to honor the more than one million Americans who died as a result of accidental overdoses of drugs and alcohol.
“It is of critical importance that we always remember those who were lost to this epidemic,” reads a statement released by the TOH. “This initiative allows us to preserve the memories of those we lost to addiction and pay tribute to the amazing social workers, mental health care professionals and nonprofit volunteers who work tirelessly to support individuals in recovery.”
Recovery Month is also focused on celebrating the tens of millions of Americans who have struggled with substance use disorder, mental health, or concurring disorders and are in successful recovery.
Several events are slated throughout the town and village in honor and celebration of recovery. The Night of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil, co-hosted by the Northport/East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force and TOH Opioid and Addiction Task Force, will take place on Saturday, August 31 in Northport Village Park, beginning at 7pm. The vigil is an opportunity to honor those lost to overdose and support their families.
The Celebration of Hope Wellness Walk will be held on Saturday, September 14 in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Over 25 vendors will be set up in the park to offer wellness services such as yoga, acupuncture and gym memberships. Recovery organizations and health agencies will also be present, providing valuable resources for a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook.
This year, the TOH park event will also include a special ceremony for the unveiling of the Hope and Healing art installation, a project completed in collaboration with the Opioid and Addiction Task Force, Town Councilman Salvatore Ferro, Rich McKean from Main Street Nursery, and Susan Buroker, a visual artist with works displayed at the Heckscher Museum of Art.
The art installation will be focused on Buroker’s 12-foot stainless steel sculpture of a phoenix – a symbol of transformation – with messages from residents. “Our goal is to create a space of inspiration and meaning for everyone. Life's challenges and obstacles are universal, and the statue will serve as a beacon of hope in Heckscher Park,” Sharon Richmond of the town’s task force told the Journal.
The foundation of this event lies in the messages of hope and healing gathered by the task force from community members. “Through formal letters, social media outreach and our dedicated Hope and Healing Facebook page, we have received over 200 heartfelt messages,” Richmond said. These messages come from students, youth coalitions, advocates, individuals battling mental health and substance use disorders, their families, and those who have lost loved ones. Each message, Richmond explained, carries a unique story of resilience and inspiration, creating a symbol of hope that will uplift all who visit the site.
One of the messages included in the design is a poem written by Richmond called “Angel Within,” honoring her son who passed away at age 25. “For me, the words determination and resilience have always been guiding lights in honoring my son, Vincent. This year, the beautiful word hope has been added, leading this chapter of my journey,” Richmond said. The statue and installation will offer comfort to those who have lost a child or loved one, she said, letting them know they are never alone.
The following events will take place within the Town of Huntington and Northport Village during September’s National Recovery Month:
Flag Raising Ceremony
Friday, August 30, 2pm
Northport Village Hall
Night of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, August 31, 7pm
Northport Village Park
Wellness Walk and Unveiling of the Hope & Healing Sculpture
Saturday, September 14, 11am-2pm
Heckscher Park, Huntington
Celebrate Hope and Recovery
Thursday, September 26, 7pm
Old First Presbyterian Church, Huntington
The Hope and Healing sculpture, created by Susan Buroker in collaboration with project engineer Barbara Posillico, Sharon Richmond from the TOH Opioid and Addiction Task Force, Town Councilman Sal Ferro and community members, will be unveiled on September 14 in Heckscher Park.
